Washington DC in January is cold, blustery and icy. And the weather is bad too. But inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center it is hot with ground-up custom Choppers to monster wheel CanAm Spyder trikes.
Repeat winners like Gangster Choppers, C&C Cycles, Garwood Custom Cycles, and Whiskey Tango Choppers came to the competition with new builds looking to stand up on stage and host the big check. The competition was tight with just a few points determining whether you are standing on the stage or staying in your seat.
The awards ceremony kicked off on Sunday at 4PM with the Bob Wyman taking the People’s Choice award with My Journey, a 2004 Fatboy depicting a Native American Indian journey in exquisite detail from birth to death.
The Showdog Award is for the builder that works the show floor the hardest. There were many contenders but the crew from Garwood Custom Cycles took home The Leatherworks Inc. solo bag. They brought in multiple client bikes and had a reunion with new and old clients.
FreeStyle J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
John Dodson of Gangster Choppers took the big check with Shakedown, a 2012 Gangster Choppers custom chopper featuring a 80” Evolution, FXR tranny on a custom-built frame. The rigid features a single downtube and hi-po mil. The airbrush and the $21,000 per gallon House of Kolor paint was applied by Copperhead Graphics.
1. John Dodson, Gangster Choppers – Shakedown, 2013 Gangster Choppers
2. Roy Chamberlin, C&C Cycles – 2008 Custom
MOD Custom J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
Ross Latimer rolled his sister in-law’s hardtail chopper into the competition and rolled out with the big check and the win in MOD Custom. The 2001 Sportster 1200 features a Rats Custom Hard Tail with paint and pinstripe from Ross. The “Warmer Weather” chopper was completely disassembled and paint rainbow over a cream frame.
1. Ross Latimer – Warmer Weather, 2001 Sportster
2. Steve Garwood, Garwood Custom Cycles – Lucky, 2007 Street Glide
Retro MOD J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
John Dodson of Gangster Choppers explained to owner Earl Laurie, “we may be poor and we may be from the sticks, but we aren’t white trash.” That’s why the winning 1949 Harley-Davidson FL chopper was named Cocky instead of white trash. It features a 74” Panhead, ’49 wishbone frame, ’49 drivetrain and OEM “inline” springer. The metal finish really stands out on this build.
1. John Dodson, Gangster Choppers – Cocky, 1949 H-D FL
2. Devon Eckert, Whiskey Tango Choppers – 42, 1974 CB750
The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows rolls into 11 cities across the nation. The nationwide motorcycle extravaganza has something for every powersports lifestyle. Besides the nation’s largest custom bike show, it’s the best place to experience the latest in gear, aftermarket parts and accessories. See the all-new models from major manufacturers and enjoy rider seminars at the main stage and much, much more. Produced by www.BikerPros.com.
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