Tag Archives: french

NEW CHAPTER and OLD BIKES

October 9, 2018 ITN

Story and Photos by ITN European Reporter Herve’ Rebollo

Salut à toi rider newyorkais,

Let me introduce the last brand new HOG Chapter in France, born some months ago “BRIE & GATINAIS Chapter” (Brie and Gatinais are two big French regions located in the South and East of Paris). It’s linked to the last dealership opened in the suburb of Paris one year ago, in the city of Melun (South East of Paris). If I’m not wrong we now have 56 HD dealerships in France in 2018 (I know, nothing to see with the USA, but don’t forget we’re only 68 million inhabitants).

They already are one hundred members in this chapter (which, as many HOG chapters around Paris, will soon reach two or three hundred hoggers …).

I was lucky enough being kindly invited by the deputy director (a good friend of mine) to attend one of their first week-end on the road last year at springtime. They had scheduled to visit one of the most famous private collection of classic bikes in Europe, owned by my great friend Jean-Luc Gaignard. I’ll write soon a post about this incredible biker (Unknown but so “famous” in the middle of collectors – he owns about 600 old motorcyles all in state of working – Even Brad Pitt took his helicopter to come to land in his field to meet him last summer).

I’m not really “Hog or MC minded” (I’m a lone rider) but it was a sympathetic invitation, the target was to meet an old friend of mine, crossing part of my marvelous country by tiny beautiful roads, the weather gave the promise to be sunny and I was sure to see amazing old bikes … so, let’s go!

During these two days, we have had great roads to the West of France, nice restaurants with amazing wines and saw rare antic motorcycles …

It permited our lil pack (5 bikes – it’s already too much for me) to ride 500 miles across Normandy and back home with marvelous memories after having done some nice meeting on the road.

Next time, I’ll be your road captain to take you to that incredible place where the time stopped in the late thirties and where you will see motorcycles you have certainly never seen before. Of course be prepared to get some weight, restaurants on the road are just a blast.

See ya soon on the road my friend (who knows?).

Hervé your French friend.

ACROSS THE POND

BIKER & PAINTER, a great French Artist

September 23, 2018 ITN

Story and Photos by ITN European Reporter Herve’ Rebollo

Salut à toi American rider,

Today, let me introduce a good friend of mine, a great French artist, my bro’ Dom’, aka NOIR MAT!

In my mind, my other painter friend Davis UHL and NOIR MAT are currently the two best motorcycle painters.

Dom whose pseudonym is NOIR MAT (you could literally translate it by “Black Mat”) is an hyper realist , self – taught painter. Born in 1965, Noir Mat started drawing at a young age, incited by his father who was a painter

Yes, it is his father who taught him very young the way of drawing and painting.

It is the acquisition of a Harley Davidson in 1994 which made him associate his passion of the art with that of the Kustom Kulture and triggered his artistic revolution.

He went from “Kustom Kulture” to studying aerosol paint. He started to paint on all kinds of vehicles and car parts. He then evolved and returned to painting on a canvas. He combines the pictorial technique that his father taught him with what he learned during his studies of aerosol paint.

His works are painted with acrylic resin on canvas or wood , with a quality of completion and encreased attention to detail which ends up persuading the observer that he is an integral part of the work which it is admiring.

His style is hyper-realistic, and shows the extreme attention that Noir Mat pays to the details in his work. Some of his canvases require several weeks of work. His purpose is to immerse the observer in the piece. Even if his favorite subject is still the famous Harley Davidson, the artist has managed to be versitile and does animal and urban representation as well as pin-up portraits.

The Artist makes us understand that one foresees reality that the mystery of the reality ; his purpose being to sublimate this reality .

His works reflects his passion , in particular the American Culture , but also of other topics which are dear to him the time of a glance, discover the NOIR MAT’s realistic world: https://www.noirmatart.com/

Dom’ (I call him by his given name, it’s more natural for me) is a real nice man. A biker, a great artist and a gentleman. Talking with him, having a beer or a ride is always a great lifetime.

As my lovely wife knows that I am a fan of BLACK MATT, she surprised me four years ago by offering me a picture of my Streetglide, signed NOIR MAT, for my birthday. I couldn’t believe it, I was so happy. If one day you come to my office, you will see it proudly hanging over my desk.

NOIR MAT showed his artwork for the first time to the USA in 2015 for the Sturgis bike week. He wasn’t present himself this year (only a dozen of his paintings where shown by his agent at the HD dealership of Rapid City). I was lucky enough to be the first Frenchie to see his artwork exposed in the USA this year.

In 2016, Dom’ attended the Sturgis rally and was present on his booth at the Black Hills Harley Davidson dealership of Rapid City. He was so happy being there, meeting so many people and especially Willy G and his idol: David Uhl. I clearly claim to be the guy who introduced Dom’ to my friend David in 2013 (David and Dom’ met a second time during the Daytona bike week 2018).

Dom’ is really an eclectic painter. He’s able to produce artworks about animals which are absolutely amazing.

As artist and great fan of the American culture and the USA Dom’ dreams to diffuse his artwork among American fans of custom bike / car culture. So do not hesitate to order him the artwork of your lifetime! (you have to know that the price is very reasonable).

Next time you will come to my home, we’ll take our motorcycle and come to have a beer with Dom’ / NOIR MAT. Thus, you will discover the French heartland, only by tiny roads: from Paris to Saint-Etienne the city where Dom’ is being living with his girlfriend, it will take us about 10 hours …

Waitin’ for you.

See ya soon on the road, who knows?

Hervé your French friend.

ACROSS THE POND, Featured Bikes

A Fancy French FX

February 18, 2018 ITN

Photos by Herve’ Rebollo and Fabrice Berry

Editor’s Note: I don’t recall the circumstances that resulted in my being introduced to Herve’ Rebollo but I DO remember that when we met during my trip to Paris a few years ago, he brought me a bottle of French champagne! The man makes an impression!
Since then, he’s kept in touch, often sending pictures from his frequent rides in his country. I have learned that Herve’ is no hobbyist biker – he is an authentic rider undeterred by rain, cold or distance. And a solid enthusiast with an eye for the original and beautiful.

He tells the story here of his “quest” to build an FXR-style bike, a project he just completed after several years of dedicated effort. It’s wonderfully done and we thank Herve’ for allowing us to show it here.

Herve’s Quest

When I attended the FXR show (during my first Sturgis bike week in 2014 with my friend David Uhl), I discovered that specific design and style that owners of FXRs and some Dynas gave to their bikes. I literally fell in love with that motorcycle trend we don’t have in Europe.

For some months I wanted to find a project for my next bike. I didn’t want a chopper, a bobber, a racer … I was not really sure of the way I wanted to follow …

In the late 2014 I began to follow (on Instagram), the famous JAILBAIT bike owned by Daniel Dolan, an FXRP with an S&S 111ci engine.
And, lucky me, in 2015 David Uhl proposed I once again come with him to the Strugis.
And lucky me twice, I saw “for real” my dream bike JAILBAIT at the FXR show. I even had a little discussion with Daniel.

So, coming back home in September 2015, I decided to find an FXR in France and develop my own project. I took my time for sure but I met a little problem: FXRs are so rare here in Europe and when you find one, it is often in a bad state. So, month after month, my project didn’t really progress.

Finally, after several long talks with the workshop manager of my H-D dealership (HD BORIE since 1946) who’s a friend, we decided in early 2017 to work with a used FAT BOB 2015 FXDL.

The DRAG SPECIALTIES catalog helped me to define the line / design of the beast. (I used their fairing and handlebar.) Of course I ordered VILLAIN 2HERO bags and decided to install a MOHICAN ARROW pipe.

The amazing work of painting is done by a little craftsman named Mathieu Sergent, owner of MS CUSTOM located in center of France.

I kept the original H-D saddle. I may install a solo one soon – the painting continues under the current saddle, so I can change for a solo when I want.

I have had my first ride (300 miles on wet, muddy little roads) on Saturday 20th of January. It was fantastic! The bike has a unique aesthetic, is powerful, sounds soooo good, is totally secure and (good surprise) really comfortable.

I’m so happy and proud. I have to confess that for the first time in my (long) biker life a motorcycle impressed me so much.

Below are two pics of the bike that inspired Herve’s build: JAILBAIT