Karns Kustoms Wins the OC Bikefest Custom Bike Show by Customization in America (CIA)

Post & Images by Jeffrey Najar, Partner

If it is rock and roll on the main stage, roasted donuts at the ILLConduct stunting compound and slick customs at the Customization In America (CIA) Bike Show then it must be OC Bikefest. And what a weekend for the fans of custom bikes as builders came to compete for $6,000 in prizes from Ridewright Wheels, Biker’s Choice, Nino 925, Chop Docs Choppers and Shadetree Fabrications. Local talent and builders from as far away as New York came to showcase their latest work.

The People’s Choice Award is always a treat because fans get to vote on their favorite custom bike and the builders compete on influencing the voting of their bike. After 3 days and over 1,000 votes Jack Deagazio came away as the people’s favorite and was awarded a Special Ops Vest from 5 Ball Racing Leathers. The 12 pocket vest features heavy duty gun metal grey zipper, double needle seam construction and 2 conceal and carry pockets.

“This is the 1^st year for the CIA Bike Show at OC Bikefest and we are excited to be at the exceptional venue at the Ocean City Inlet right on the Boardwalk,” said Bob Kay, Partner at Biker Pros.

FreeStyle Class Winner at CIA

Karns Kustoms builds custom Sportsters. They have a small shop and do most of their work with hand tools. There 1000cc bike called Hooligan features a hardtail, hydraulic clutch, hidden wiring and custom tank and custom rear fender. Karns Kustoms are known for their bright paint and sano builds. Karns took the FreeStyle win and the Biker’s Choice $2,000 award.

1. FreeStyle  Class Winner – Adam Karns, Hooligan – ’74 Sportster,  Karns Kustoms

Retro MOD Class Winner at CIA

Jack Deagazio rolled in his latest build called Evil. The first thing you notice about the bike is the paint. Jack originally wanted it black but his painter, Tom Felier, said the bike looked so good that he wasn’t going to paint it that color. So after a lot of back and forth they settled on a slick orange. Brian O’Hara of Bman Striping took care of the pin stripe duties. The bike features a 1974 74ci mil, engraving and hartail. The points cover is a Jeremy Cupp of LC Fabrications’ porthole. Besides the 5 Ball Racing Leathers’ Special Ops Vest, Jack took home awards from Chop Docs Choppers and Shadetree Fabrications.

1. Class Winner – Jack Deagazio,  Evil – 1974 Bobber

MOD Harley Class Winner at CIA

Mike Barrett rolled in his 1996 Harley-Davidson Bad Boy springer to the OC Bikefest Bike Show and rolled out a MOD Harley winner. The 1340cc Harley EVO delivers grunt and a fabulous tone with his V&H pipes. Mike added a custom saddle, saddlebags, tool bags and updates throughout. The bike rolled in the facilities as a bare bones and bad-assed bike. Mike won the Ridewright Wheels award.

1. Class Winner – Mike Barrett – 1996 Harley-Davidson Bad Boy

MOD Street Class Winner at CIA

The MOD Street class is the most interesting class because the diversity is so great. This class includes everything from stretched busa’s to Yamaha Bolts. And Eric Johanson’s Jokers Wild didn’t disappoint.

The 1800cc Honda VTX features a custom front end, custom wheels, air suspension and 48deg rake. It also includes custom intake, exhaust and Power Commander. Eric takes home a Nino 925 Rockstar ring for his effort.

1. Class Winner – Eric Johanson, Jokers Wild – 2002 VTX 1800

When not checking out the bikes, attendees were treated to national entertainment including  Jackyl, Big Engine, Kashmir, Davisson Brothers Band, Travis Tritt, Big Engine, The Marshall Tucker Band, Don Felder and his band Live and Rowdy Johnson as well as ILLConduct stunt shows,  vendors and carny food and beverage.