Chopperfest is a motorcycle art and culture festival that has been paying homage to David Mann and his artwork for 12 years now. It is one of the premier motorcycle shows in Southern California, and is always a great spot to see some rolling artwork and pieces of motorcycle history.
The show is somewhat divided these days, however. Not that the bikes are split up or there is a mods vs. rockers style rivalry or anything like that, but there seem to be two schools of thought. The first wants to build bike exactly like they were in the sixties and seventies, period correct, either with patina or perfect paint, but done up with all original vintage parts sourced from the far edges of the earth for big money, personal favors (wink wink) or trade for other old parts. The other is out to update their bikes. To bring these pieces of motorcycling history into the modern era with proper performance-oriented components and changing up the lines to fit other types of riding.
Both styles of builder bring incredible talent and skill to the table, and they’ve all put a ton of time and work into their bikes, we just tend to prefer the ones that go a little ways outside the box. A perfectly period correct survivor from the 60s that has never even been kicked over is a beautiful piece of artwork, but if it were me… I’d trade it in for a custom I could ride the wheels off of.
Enjoy this gallery from Chopperfest and the parking lot outside, and for more information on next year’s show, check ChopperFestival.com
