Handmade custom motorcycles and cars will be on display like pieces of fine art this weekend as a long-running Texas-based show makes its way to Los Angeles for the first time.
“These are motorcycles and cars built by individuals at home and professionals alike. These are factory motorcycles and cars that are modified heavily or built from scratch that you won’t see anywhere else,” said Alan Stulberg, founder of Revival Cycles and organizer of the The Handbuilt Invitational.
The car and motorcycle show, which was founded in Austin, Texas in 2014, is taking place Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 7 in downtown Los Angeles and will consist of about 50 hand-built motorcycles and custom cars as well as some death-defying stunt shows. Among the vehicles on display will be motorcycles owned by comedian and avid collector Jay Leno, who will be attending the event, as well as bikes created by iconic Long Beach-based builder Roland Sands.
One of the best-known and eclectic custom-build masterminds on hand will be Azusa-based Shinya Kimura, who is bringing several of his bikes.
“His bikes are very sculptural, raw aluminum customs. It’s very bare, almost rough sculptures,” Stulberg said. “He did build a bike for Brad Pitt so I’m hoping he brings that there,” he added.
Besides the vehicles on display, riding skills will be exhibited as well in the “Wall of Death,” which is made up of riders on vintage bikes riding around in what resembles a giant barrel.
“They’re riding on the walls of the barrel and people can look down into the barrel,” he said.
One of the purposes of the show is to encourage people to work and create with their hands, so there will be one-hour workshops each day, teaching crafts such as welding, pinstriping and leather making.
“The main impetus for the whole thing is to inspire people to work with their hands and to want to create something. That may mean motorcycles and cars, sculpture and art, and recognizing the art of working with your hands has been going away and it’s something that we want to help encourage,” he said.
The Handbuilt Invitational
Where: 1219 South Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles
Tickets: $15-$150, kids 12 and under enter free.
Information: revivalcycles.com
Richard Guzman
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