It seems like Portland’s weather was on it’s best behavior for the weekend of the One Motorcycle Show (Feb 8/9/10)- giving everyone (even fair weather riders) a chance to pull their bikes off the tenders, give ‘em a wash and ride them in to the show.
Four years in a row now the One Show has attracted a variety of attendees. As it’s progressed the reach has stretched beyond motorcyclists to include designers, artists, and those who appreciate looking at pretty things. Which is basically everyone, right? Thor Drake has developed an inviting and evolving culture within Portland which can not only be seen in the One Show but also See See Coffee & Motorcycles, one of the main moto hubs in Portland.
The second year of the 1 motorcycle show was inside a somewhat gutted two-level industrial warehouse. While Pabst flew out of the coolers and burn outs were a-plenty… it was dimly lit and fell short of the glory that has been achieved this year and last. An estimated 10+ thousand people attended over a three day period. Shows like this usually gather steam over the course of five or ten years, while the One Motorcycle Show managed it almost immediately.
Prepare for an onslaught of photos. There are even more on facebook. I had my camera on my hip pretty much all day Friday, Saturday, and for most of Sunday even during clean up. This is literally going to be the longest blog post I’ve ever done. So go take a potty break, get a bag of crisps or whathaveyou, because this is going to be a doozie.
“I should come to Portland” and “Portland is such an amazing city” was uttered by many out of state and out of country visitors. This wasn’t only caused by mother nature letting the sunshine break through the usual Portland overcast, either. It’s the vibe and melding of masses- motorcyclists, motorheads and more.
I was fortunate enough to meet many of the people behind influential blogs, builds, and magazines over the course of the weekend. Deus ex Machina geniuses Julian, Stefan, Pierre and Nevin were a great crew with an obvious love for the two wheeled creatures we all came to see. As Nevin put it, “We wear our motorcycle on our sleeve in a way.”
JP from The Selvedge Yard let me get a portrait and showed me the classic “rolling the booger” pose he has spoke of earlier over lunch.
Sasha and Kevin of Cafe Racer XXX instagrammed away, keeping a live log of the beautiful madness.
The set up may have been a clusterf*** for all we know. With a total of 136 motorcycles for Scott G. Toepfer (It’s Better in the Wind) to photograph before being put in their display spots it had to be a feat… but we would never know. It looked fluid, organized, and not stressful in the least.
This little military green and gold ditty from Lossa Engineering was one of my absolute favorites. Look at it there, basking in the glorious Portland sunshine.
This was my opportunity to get some photos of the motorcycles without thousands of people battling me with their iphones. I took advantage of the situation.
Here’s David Frost (aka Frosty ‘round these parts) with his Ducati 998 custom equipped with lots of Speedymoto bits.
A sweet little Honda from Digital Directiv.
Lossa motorcycle again. Just wait.
Todd Blubaugh’s chopper.
Another show favorite with the THROTTLED gallery on display in the background, photography by Ray Gordon.
Roland Sands Design motorcycle “No Regrets”. I really loved the tail end of this bike.
Here comes a few from Icon Motosports. What other motorcycle apparel manufacturer builds bikes… especially bikes this bad ass?
It’s always something… aint that the truth.
A beautiful vintage Indian awaits it’s time in the limelight.
Bridge City Cycles CB500 build “Unusual Suspect” as seen on Pipeburn. Beautiful gold pinstriping by Jeff Wolf.
Choppers sure can be pretty.
Here’s a shot of the beautiful Sasha Valentine of Cafe Racer XXX and I.
Miniature Honda race replica… perfectly to scale.
Set up was starting to rap up, the bikes finding their final positions. It was time for me to go get on my [borrowed, thank you Mark] motorcycle and head down to Chrome PDX for the Chrome + MotoLady Ride to the One Show.
The Chrome + MotoLady ride provided snacks and drinks for motorcyclists while all the troops showed and got set on the starting line. Over 20 motorcycles rode with us, you can see ride the video on youtube (thanks to Bill D!).
When we arrived around 7:40p Friday night, the place was absolutely packed. If you wanted to see the bikes you had to “insert yourself in a line and shuffle your feet really slowly to the side” a friend of mine put so eloquently.
If you’re a photo ninja like me, occasionally you could get a good shot of the set up.
Music was bumpin’, people were dancin’. A fun time was had by all.
The lovely people at Chrome Industries brought their van to the show, backed the ass up inside the bay doors and set up shop for $20 tattoos.
Oh yes, I did indeed get myself a commemorative tattoo. Thanks Amanda and Chrome! (Photo below by Nevin Pontious.)
Here were the tattoo choices. Check out the one I dubbed… “the Uniboober”.
Here’s how my tattoo turned out. I am a huge fan of pyramids, so this was practically meant for me.
It stayed busy all night long, into the wee hours.
I spent some time attempting to do some photos but ended up spending some more time with out of town visitors because of how many people were there. Hard to shoot motorcycles through human bodies!
Here’s a shot of Julian and Stefan from Deus with me looking like an uber goober in my uber cool Icon 1000 jacket that I love so much.
I eventually left and traded the bike for my cage so I could go enjoy a few beers (I don’t drink and ride at all so it’s restrictive for parties sometimes).
The next day I returned shortly after opening at 11am and did another loop. Caffeine provided by See See Coffee & Motorcycles was had by many.
There were many motorcyclists in attendance on Saturday, at least as many as the night before I would think.. The photo below really shows the happiness of the entire weekend. The person with their arms extended is a motolady!
Photographer Ray Gordon looking all official, doing official things.
It’s amazing how many times I looked at all these bikes and just kept seeing new things.
Holiday Customs motorcycle “Turd Ferguson” by Jared Johnson. Two years ago his motorcycle was my favorite at the One Show, and he’s done it again. The name, well… I’m not so sure I’d keep that one if I adopted this lil beauty.
These two had some nutzo front suspension… I absolutely adore this one. Would definitely ride. 1977 RZ400 custom by Julian Farnham. Built in 30 days on a $1000 budget.
I feel like this bike was often the butt of “got your nose” jokes. Yamaha RZ350 forkless front end two stroke custom by Julian Farnham.
A very classic scrambleresque build from my friend Sean Hayes over at MotoFactory PDX.
A lineup of beautiful misfits and cafe racers.
The Roland Sands sportster was nearly impossible to photograph, constantly surrounded by buzzing people.
This little motolady in the making may or may not have made me go, “AWWWEEEE”.
Adults and children alike were asked to make their mark on this Smoking Seagulls motorcycle creation.
Deus’ motorcycle “Sevenish” was very chromey and clean. So good.
Ah, a Zundapp. Awesome to see!
As often in the case at events like these, the parking lot show was an entertaining one as well. Classic cars, garage builds, rat bikes, cafe racers, choppers, sport bikes, baggers, cruisers, adventure and dirtbikes… everything made an appearance.
Interesting chain drive on a Honda cafe…
Real motoladies, girls on motorcycles, were spotted left and right!
Jada Noriyuki on her Honda CL125 aka “The Bruiser” in a custom vintage helmet by Jeff Wolf.
Wolf, the Bruiser and the helmet.
Sneaky self portrait!
Start ‘em young! My friend Todd’s beautiful daughter wanted to sit on Jadas CL… that smile tells me she’s ready.
And there’s that favorite of mine from Holiday Customs I was mentioning earlier… the frame shape was inspired by a classic Schwinn bicycle.
Eventually we had our fill of partying at Sandbox Studio and friends made their way to the after party around the corner. It looked something like this… but with girls and guys dancing on the bar.
Once I smelled thoroughly of beer and burnt rubber I called it a night. Got home around 3:00a and couldn’t sleep until six.
Sunday was a somber day, a ton of people showed to bid the bikes farewell. As 2p rolled around they started to disappear and next thing you knew the place was dismantled.
Trophies were proudly displayed next to their motorcycles.
After many days of work and many nights of partying- this sentiment was perfection. Except, while many of us may have had hangover headaches, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The Kawasaki 500’s glowed gloriously in their last hour of fame (until next year).
Hail Mary was left all alone as the other Icon bikes got hauled away and loaded up- I don’t think she minded.
Menta, Frosty’s now award winning Ducati 998 custom looked so good in the bright light of another luckily beautiful Portland day.
One of the cleanest bikes on display… so simple and classy. And so very well done.
If anyone argues that these bikes weren’t made to be ridden, remember that many of them rolled in under their owners and were not trailered.
Seth Jaramus of Northern & Pacific Motorcycles (left) rode his vintage BMW’s in (and out) with the help of his friend Paul.
All loaded up and ready to split, the doose goose was packed to the brim.
Let’s just say I can’t wait until next year. You better start planning your trip now!
See all 177 photos in the facebook album
See articles and photos from past years
All photos and words copyright MotoLady 2013.
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We boot-scooted, we boogied, we hosted a worldwide reveal, we tore it up on e-bikes, we had makers workshops, we gave away a bunch of amazing gear and gizmos… you know… normal Women’s Moto Show goodness! Three whole days of awesome entertainment surrounded by a bunch of the coolest motorcycling women I know.
Posted on February 19, 2013 in Motorcycles by Alicia Mariah Elfving