Born Free #16, Silverado Canyon, CA
How Japanese can a Harley get?
Once again it gets crowded at Oak Canyon Park, Silverado, California, when the monumental meeting of chopper culture, the world Fair of wrenchomaniacs and the horror filled festival of stock-is-best believers goes down: Born Free.
As usual with a healthy attendance of some 25.000 visitors with plenty to marvel at over 200 booths with parts, equipment, art, food, drink and attractions like the wall of death, bands and a halfpipe.
The real reason for coming of course are the hundreds of two- and threewheelers, all of them treated to various levels of artful wrenching to be judged with lots of "wow" or "wtf" or "boy that's kinda genius/great/hopeless ..."
Now, wait a minute, wasn't this supposed to be about Japan and Harleys?
We're getting there: there's an inner circle of hero wrenchers, the guys pushing the envelope of customization, the "Invited Builders". They're competing for the ultimate prize, a ticket to Japan and the Mooneyes Hot Rod Show in Yokohama for them and their bike. It's THE show topping even Born Free in the death or glory stakes. So, who will make it to Yokohama? This year there are 33 names on the list of nominations. But another competition is going on too: to qualify for the People’s Champ Award, the bikes must at least have traveled for 50 miles under their own steam to Born Free. Winner hands down was Max Bayko, who piloted his entry some 1.500 miles all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
That leaves the other 33 entrants to duke it out
for the 6,000 miles ticket to Japan. Winner of the Invited Builders' Award is a 1936 Knuckle with a hot history: Ryan "@3gknuck" Grossman built it from the remains of a bike that had been badly damaged in the Paradise fire a few years ago, and now the "TwoTimer" spits fire itself thanks to a propane burner system hidden inside. Have fun in Japan!
While we're at it: another bike will go to Japan: the Neefus brothers' (@redcloudscollective) 1951 Triumph.
A Harley and a Triumph will be Japanese, if only for a short time. If someone had told us this in 1979 when it all started ...
