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Photos by Lauren Beitel
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Photos by Carlos Marquina
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Loser Machine Born Free 9 Video from Mark Kawakami on Vimeo.
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We made our way up to Orange, CA to visit our friend and incredible builder Jeff Leighton. Here's a little recap of what we saw and learned from this talented guy. Keep your eyes peeled for his giveaway build at Born-Free 9 this year.
Photos: Lauren Beitel
Q: Where are you from, where are you at now?
A: I am a Southern California native. I was born in the San Fernando Valley which is in the north end of Los Angeles. I went to school in a small town called Simi Valley and lived all around the LA area. 6 years ago I relocated to Orange.Q: Do you have any influences that have inspired you? Any mentors?
A: Most of my motorcycle influences come from the 50s and 60s Southern California custom motorcycle scene. Between that era of customs and the late 30s to early 50s class C race bike circuit is where you'd find all of the style cues I use in the bikes I build.
I have been lucky enough to have met some of the most amazing people because of motorcycles. Dear friends that mean the world to me. On the top of that list and the only person I have ever looked at as a mentor is Frank Kaisler. He has taught me so much and been more then just a friend.
Q: What music is your go to in your garage if any?
A: My buddy Dave Polgreen, who I share my shop with, and I have some pretty wide ranging musical tastes. So there is a pretty broad list of bands that get played. But I would say my go to thing to listen to would be the entire Oasis catalog. I just press play on their name on my iPod and let all 8 albums play.
Q: Besides the obvious chopper, what else gets you going?
A: Lately the thing I have been most excited about is going out and racing vintage tank shift Harley's with a great group of friends. But outside of motorcycles my interests get really nerdy. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy novels. I love Star Wars and have read an embarrassing amout of books about it. I have read the Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones books numerous times.
Q: We noticed you’ve gotten involved in racing. Can you tell us a little about that?
A: Getting involved in racing has been the most fun I have ever had with motorcycles. I always loved the way old factory Harley race bikes looked but never thought I would do it myself. A few years back Mike Davis bought WL and started taking it out to the Hell on Wheels races. It really lit a fire with a small group of our friends. A handful of us go out and race as much as we possibly can. From flat track, TT, dirt scrambles, drag racing to Hill Climbs we try and do it all with our old rigid frame tank shift bikes. We recently drove across the country to race on the beach in New Jersey at The Race of Gentlemen. It was one of the best events I have ever been too
Q: How did it feel to win last year at Born-Free?
A: Winning Best in show and 3rd place in the invited builder class last year was one of the best feelings I've ever had. I never thought I would win something like that. And to be recognized by my peers in that way is really special
Q: Can you tell us a little about what you’re working on this year for Born-Free?
A: This year I decided to take a break from being an invited builder. But then Mike and Grant asked me if I would want to build one of the giveaway bikes. I couldn't pass up the opportunity. So we did a little brain storming and decided that I should build a bike that really fits into where our interests have been. I am building a 1942 knucklehead in a VL frame. The inspiration of the bike is the factory WR flat track race bikes. It's loaded with rare stock parts, hand made parts and is running one of my Vard MFG front ends.
Q: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Any last words before we wrap it up?
A: I just really want to thank Mike Davis Grant Peterson, and Born Free. They have given me the opportunity to build bikes on a platform that the whole worlds motorcycle community is paying attention too. I have been able to travel to places I would have never thought I would be able to go to and met people from all over the world because of motorcycles. I feel so very fortunate for everything I have been able to do and I don't think I would have been able to do it without their show.
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Photos by Lauren Beitel
What first inspired you to get a bike and learn to ride?
It really goes back to being a kid. Growing up, there was a family a few houses down that raced motocross and I’d see the boys go up and down the street and thought, “dang. I want to do that!” And then that Disney movie, Motocrossed, came out, and I thought, “DANG WHY CAN’T I DO THAT?” haha. Unfortunately, my parents refused to let me get a dirtbike. There was no way to convince them. I tried everything. I didn’t ride a motorcycle until I turned 19 and bought a 1200 Sportster for my first bike and took a MSF course shortly after. (That’s my style. I commit and figure it out later. I’m a nut, i know. hah.)
What is your favorite motorcycle that you’ve ever owned?
I’ve owned three and they’re all special in their own sentimental way, but my first bike’s probably my favorite. It was a 2011 XL1200X and I put every single one of the 46,000 miles that were on it before I sold it, minus the first three the dealership had to put on to set it up from factory. I wrecked it going about 60MPH back in 2012 and rebuilt it with the help of some friends….It would do 90 in 3rd gear...I took my first cross country road trip on it...there’s just some big stepping stones in my two-wheeled life that sprouted from that bike.
You’ve done a lot of miles on the road. What is the longest ride you’ve ever taken?
I’ve done a few 1K in a day’s/Iron Butts (1,000 Miles in under 24 Hours). My fastest time was 15.5 hours from Phoenix to Oklahoma City.
True distance wise...I lived on my bike for three months in the fall of 2015. I’d say that’s a long ride. Did about 15,000 miles and travelled all over the place. This is the closest itenerary I can give:
Phoenix-San Diego- Portland - Washington State - San Diego - Taos - Denver - Sturgis - Taos - Phoenix - Taos - Oklahoma City - Houston - Phoenix - Joshua Tree - Phoenix
I probably left some stops out, but you get the general idea. It was a blast. By the end of it I was exhausted but I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.
What strip of land stands out in your mind when you look back on your travels?
Mountains. Any sort of hills or mountains. Those rolling purple/blue/whatever hills at sunset give me the warm fuzzies. I grew up in Houston, TX and the last thing you’re ever going to see there is a mountain, so...yeah. Not to mention the roads you usually find along these mountain ranges are extremely scenic and twisty. It’s a win/win situation.
What is the one thing that you can’t live without on the road besides your bike?
Music. I gotta have tunes while I’m blasting down the highway. Bun B, Bouncing Souls, Taylor Swift, A Day to Remember, Florida Georgia Line, Parkway Drive, NWA...all the music, all the genres. One minute I’ll be blasting some metal and the next it’ll be a 90’s throwback to Backstreet Boys.
Tell us about how you made your passion into a career.
I went to college and got my BBA’s in Marketing and Management and automatically knew I was never going to fit in at the big wig corporate companies. My professors even called me out in class for my crazy colored hair and tattoos. I knew it wasn’t for me to join the “rat race.”
I had been working at a Harley dealership near Austin when I graduated college and was searching for my first “big girl job.” Luckily for me it didn’t take too long and I scored a Marketing & Event Coordinator position at another HD Dealer in the area. It was a pretty big deal. I had no real “experience” other than being mildly prepped for the job at the other dealership and I had just scored a job at one of the top ten dealerships in the United States. 8 months went by and I slowly but surely started to hate sitting in an office for 50+ hours a week to pay bills and barely ride my bikes.
I ended up quitting, and started bartending so that I could travel more often and figure out my next move...I told myself I was going to get involved somehow, some way in the motorcycle industry, but knew that dream wasn’t going to come true sitting in that office for 50 something hours a week. It’s been about two and a half years since I quit. It hasn’t been the easiest road, but hard work pays off. Today I’m fortunate enough to work with a handful of really amazing companies in the industry, testing out products, photographing individuals and events, and living the life.
Have you encountered any noteworthy characters on any of your escapades? Any good stories?
Oh, I have A LOT of good stories. A lot of them that are a little fuzzy, and a lot are clear as day. I’m in the works of writing a book right now with my stories from the road. I think I’ll have to save the good stories and people for the book. My road trips get pretty rowdy with all kinds of amazing people. I’ll probably have to give some folks fake names to protect their innocence so to speak, but it’ll definitely be a good read. haha. I’m hoping to have Volume 1 finished and published by the end of 2017.
It seems like more and more women are getting excited about riding. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this is an area that will continue to grow in the motorcycle world/industry?
It’s really rad being able to ride with my girlfriends, and having social media networks that enable us to stay connected is a huge plus since we don’t all live close to each other. When the hype first picked up on the women’s scene, I wasn’t too stoked. A lot of flakes came on the scene that wanted to be cool, but it’s mellowed out. I’ve met hundreds of awesome ladies, and I get stoked to go to women’s only rides and campouts whenever I get the chance. I’ve met a handful of women thanks to Babes Ride Out that are like family to me now.
And, absolutely! This market isn’t going to stop growing as long as we’re alive. Women have made their mark in the motorcycle world and we’re here to stay
Any advice or words of wisdom for other ladies trying to break into the motorcycle world?
So you want to ride a motorcycle?
The best advice I can give to any woman (or dude) wanting to ride, take a MSF course and buy the bike immediately after taking the course. The saying “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” is pretty accurate when it comes to riding skills. Until the muscle memory is there and you know how to handle a bike instinctively, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! :) Wear Riding gear--PLEASE wear gear. I wore full leathers in the 100 degree humid Texas heat when I was first learning to ride. The best advice I was ever given was from a friend who’s been on two wheels his entire life. He told me, “Don’t stop wearing gear until you’ve ridden at least 15,000 miles. After that, you should have enough ‘Oh shit’ moments under your belt you can decide if it’s worth it or not [to wear boots/gloves/a helmet, etc].” Don’t ride outside your limits, you’ll all meet at the finish line.
So you want to work in the industry?
Don’t give up. Fuck the dumb shit. Don’t work for free. Stay true to YOURSELF and YOUR DREAMS. :) Stay positive. Good things are down the road.
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In case you missed the first post you can check it out here
Photos by Lauren Beitel
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Photos by Lauren Beitel
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Photos by Lauren Beitel
]]>Dave’s love for motorcycles began early in life while growing up Studio City, California. He was exposed to them before he was old enough to have a driver’s license, since both his mom and dad owned motorcycles in the early 80s. Dave began working full time in the motorcycle industry in 1989 at Vic’s Custom Cycles in the San Fernando Valley. Vic’s is where he came back to after taking a break to attend MMI Arizona to further his knowledge of bikes. His infatuation with vintage motorcycles really started at t his time as he did alot of restoration work. In 1997, he started one of first websites dedicated to old school choppers and bobbers, something not easily available online at that time. In 2001, Dave went to work at West Coast Choppers and in the four years he spent there he honed his skills as a chopper builder and machinist to the highest level.
While working at WCC he began making sand cast chopper parts. Having acquired a great respect for Randy Smith, one of the first manufacturers of custom cast chopper parts, he wanted to carry on his legacy. In 2005, Dave decided to make the leap and start his own company, Chopperdave’s Casting Company based in Long Beach, Ca. He focused on cast motorcycle parts (both sand cast and investment cast) and accessories while expanding by building motors and transmissions, as well as custom fabrication and machine shop work.
His bike builds over the years are plenty and include a bike considered one of the most iconic choppers of the era, a panhead well known as “the Superfreak.” For photos of Dave’s builds, please see the Cycles page. His builds have been in shows such as Mooneyes Yokohama, Bornfree, the S&S 50th anniversary build-off, the Brooklyn Invitational, The Horse magazine 2006 Smokeout build-off and Cool Breaker Japan. They have taken awards at the Grand National roadster show, Ventura Nationals, and Bornfree among many others. Chopperdave is also a photographer and writer with over 100 published editorials/features in The Horse, Dice, Hardcore Chopper Japan, Chopper Journal Japan, Hot Bike, Street Chopper, Baggers and many other magazines.
Dave has learned to embrace his obsession with detail that only a true craftsman can understand. This is never more apparent than when he is immersed in whatever his current build might be as he meticulously builds every part he can by hand. Regardless of the attention he has received in the past, Dave will be the first to tell you that he is humbled by it and feels fortunate to be able to do what he loves on a daily basis and be a part of what the chopper scene has become.
Dave is currently focusing on an overhaul of Chopperdave’s Casting Company and launching the new Chopperdaves.com website. He is moving from being a one-man operation to taking on help so not only will the experience for customers improve but it will keep all levels running much more efficiently than in the past. He will be traveling to Japan in November for the Mooneyes show to exhibit his latest build, “The Steel Shoe.” He is in the beginning stages of deciding on his next build, as well. Watch for Chopperdave related articles in print and stay updated via the News page and his Blog.
Today he lives in San Pedro, California with his wife Paola and their children.
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Photos by Lauren Beitel
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