Be careful today too. Hung over drivers are almost as bad as drunks.
Showing posts with label Ed Roth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ed Roth. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Hustler
.... and a little more Joe Hurst history.
This time from Choppers Magazine May 1969.
Roth liked nicknames and the bikes named for the features. Roth asked Joe if he had any nicknames, Joe said no.... then Ed asked, if he liked playing pool.... Joe said said yup.
The Hustler is pretty much the prototype of what would become the South Bay Style.
If I got it straight, this was Joe's second Harley and the Shovelhead was out of Dick Allen's chrome frame bike (Wheeler Dealer Chop. Mag. Oct.'68). Joe always laments, the funds from selling his complete Panhead only got him an engine and trans.
Joe's the Godfather of the swooping double braced sissy bar and Dick Allen springers. This fork was the first one Dick Allen made. Actually second, the very first was for a Triumph, but Joe jokes, that doesn't count! The first few Dick made had Harley spring perches and top trees, later versions were completely fabricated from scratch.
From the shadow of the sissy bar, I was able detect the bike next to Joe's was his friend Jim Andrew's Grapes of Wrath. It was featured in another issue.
The tank featured a stylized "13" as on his former Panhead. The seat maker's credit is an error, Phil Ross stitched it up. As Irish Rich pointed out, this front view of the forks was used for the ads in this issue and others.
Here's the cover of the issue it was in. Not Joe's bike, but I know you guys enjoy the Choppers Magazine stuff.
Prior to this feature, the Hustler had tall stacks and had won First Place in the Street Bike Class at the Trident's custom car and bike show. More on that later.
This time from Choppers Magazine May 1969.
Roth liked nicknames and the bikes named for the features. Roth asked Joe if he had any nicknames, Joe said no.... then Ed asked, if he liked playing pool.... Joe said said yup.
The Hustler is pretty much the prototype of what would become the South Bay Style.
If I got it straight, this was Joe's second Harley and the Shovelhead was out of Dick Allen's chrome frame bike (Wheeler Dealer Chop. Mag. Oct.'68). Joe always laments, the funds from selling his complete Panhead only got him an engine and trans.
Joe's the Godfather of the swooping double braced sissy bar and Dick Allen springers. This fork was the first one Dick Allen made. Actually second, the very first was for a Triumph, but Joe jokes, that doesn't count! The first few Dick made had Harley spring perches and top trees, later versions were completely fabricated from scratch.
From the shadow of the sissy bar, I was able detect the bike next to Joe's was his friend Jim Andrew's Grapes of Wrath. It was featured in another issue.
The tank featured a stylized "13" as on his former Panhead. The seat maker's credit is an error, Phil Ross stitched it up. As Irish Rich pointed out, this front view of the forks was used for the ads in this issue and others.
Here's the cover of the issue it was in. Not Joe's bike, but I know you guys enjoy the Choppers Magazine stuff.
Prior to this feature, the Hustler had tall stacks and had won First Place in the Street Bike Class at the Trident's custom car and bike show. More on that later.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Doc Holiday's Witch... Too Late for Halloween
I wanted to post this for Halloween but got hung up on some other stuff.
Randy Smith painted the Witch on the tank. The text mentions that Randy is now making his finned valve covers.
Typical Choppers Magazine layout. The print quality wasn't the best and not one good overall shot of the bike, but you got to love it. Roth mistakenly says that the chrome front tubes of the frame were twisted. They were instead made from hex stock. In addition to the tubes and tank, the fender tip also features a dip of the shinny stuff.
Randy Smith is another famous South Bay builder. Here he is on his Hawg Wild panhead. The nearly identical stance of Doc's Witch is probably no coincidence. The similar length of springers and sissy bars, handlebars, bates style seats, 19" front wheels, tells me that Randy was a major influence. The Witch also had Randy's "Finned Dishpans" installed about a year later when the bike was redone. Since they were all South Bay bikers, Joe Hurst knew both Randy and Doc.
Roth shot some interesting angles. Robert Williams wife Susan, is said to be responsible for that lovely masthead.
Back around 1969-'70, I was lucky enough to see the Witch in the parking lot of what is now called the South Bay Galleria.
Randy Smith painted the Witch on the tank. The text mentions that Randy is now making his finned valve covers.
Typical Choppers Magazine layout. The print quality wasn't the best and not one good overall shot of the bike, but you got to love it. Roth mistakenly says that the chrome front tubes of the frame were twisted. They were instead made from hex stock. In addition to the tubes and tank, the fender tip also features a dip of the shinny stuff.
Randy Smith is another famous South Bay builder. Here he is on his Hawg Wild panhead. The nearly identical stance of Doc's Witch is probably no coincidence. The similar length of springers and sissy bars, handlebars, bates style seats, 19" front wheels, tells me that Randy was a major influence. The Witch also had Randy's "Finned Dishpans" installed about a year later when the bike was redone. Since they were all South Bay bikers, Joe Hurst knew both Randy and Doc.
Roth shot some interesting angles. Robert Williams wife Susan, is said to be responsible for that lovely masthead.
Back around 1969-'70, I was lucky enough to see the Witch in the parking lot of what is now called the South Bay Galleria.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Hardly David 3
Also from Choppers Magazine Nov. '69 issue. These cartoons are always signed Luke? As mentioned before, they look like they could be Ed Newtons work.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
This Month's Header, Freaky Forks
I try to relate each header's image with something to do with the month. This time it's the cover from Roth's Choppers Magazine Nov. '69 and the drawing I did of it sometime in 1972.
For all you Choppers Magazine fans, here's the actual cover. I recently posted a few Goose-Necks, so why not a Freaky Fork?
Regardless what you think of the strange fork, it's a cool image, and it inspired me. India ink and a black color pencil on illustration board. 1972.
Here's a better look of the featured bike.
Too bad the forks got cropped in the magazine's gutter. I'm not sure his chic was dressed for a putt.
Then as now, guys have always been look'in to be different but, there's a point when it gets ridiculous. Thankfully freaky forks never really caught on.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A Good Issue
It's been a while since I've posted any of my old magazines. This one has a ton of "out of sight" images. The American Chopper Enterprises/Himsl Custom Paint Studio ad came from this issue and so did one of the photos of Roth's Mail Box trike.
These cover bikes were not featured, but here's what it said on the index page: Jammin' is what it's all about. In front is a bastard '57 lower end in a '56 frame, topped off with a '62 shovelhead upper end. Close behind is a '49 Pan bored .030 oversize, raked, and running a 12" overstock extension.
The tape on the bound edge of this issue is testament to how many times I looked through it. I'll be posting more from it soon.
These cover bikes were not featured, but here's what it said on the index page: Jammin' is what it's all about. In front is a bastard '57 lower end in a '56 frame, topped off with a '62 shovelhead upper end. Close behind is a '49 Pan bored .030 oversize, raked, and running a 12" overstock extension.
The tape on the bound edge of this issue is testament to how many times I looked through it. I'll be posting more from it soon.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sano Trike Orgins
I've been meaning to post this cool ad for Himsl Trike Bodies for some time. I didn't just want to post it and leave it at that, but rather to show how it relates to other Heros of Chopper History.
The design of the body brings up the question, who first designed this style of trike body?
An Ad for Himsl trike bodies. Love the illustration. The art is not signed, but I have a strong suspicion it was done by Ed Newton. From the July '71 issue of Choppers Magazine.
Art Himsl's Preying Mantis as featured in the larger Nov. '70 Choppers magazine. It had been previously featured in Roth's July '69 digest sized Choppers magazine. Both articles mention the sale of the semi mass produced bodies. The first article calls it the Himsl Brother's Mantis and mentions Art's brother Mike. Art is still going strong but, what happened to Mike?
Because of the dates mention above, I'm sure Art's design was influenced by Roth's first trike, The Candy Wagon.
The trike won Custom Bike of the Year at the '69 Oakland Roadster Show. Art's Alien show car can be seen in the garage in the background.
Roth's Candy Wagon on the Dec.68 cover. One might assume that Ed Newton designed it, but it may not be wholly true.
The article inside shows Newton's early more ominous designs featuring booze related items plus a machine gun. Roth wanted something more kid friendly. Note that the high back seat body is absent in the drawings and nothing is mentioned in the article of the seat body's design orgin.
Was another Roth artist, namely David Mann, the one really responsible for the Candy Wagon's seat/body? Notice the pipes too, and compare to the Candy Wagon cover above. Did Roth decide on the style after seeing this? Did Dave do it after seeing the CW or see another sketch of Newt's, or visa versa? Based on this art and the date, I think Dave had the idea first. Roth published this poster in '68.
The design of the body brings up the question, who first designed this style of trike body?
An Ad for Himsl trike bodies. Love the illustration. The art is not signed, but I have a strong suspicion it was done by Ed Newton. From the July '71 issue of Choppers Magazine.
Art Himsl's Preying Mantis as featured in the larger Nov. '70 Choppers magazine. It had been previously featured in Roth's July '69 digest sized Choppers magazine. Both articles mention the sale of the semi mass produced bodies. The first article calls it the Himsl Brother's Mantis and mentions Art's brother Mike. Art is still going strong but, what happened to Mike?
Because of the dates mention above, I'm sure Art's design was influenced by Roth's first trike, The Candy Wagon.
The trike won Custom Bike of the Year at the '69 Oakland Roadster Show. Art's Alien show car can be seen in the garage in the background.
Roth's Candy Wagon on the Dec.68 cover. One might assume that Ed Newton designed it, but it may not be wholly true.
The article inside shows Newton's early more ominous designs featuring booze related items plus a machine gun. Roth wanted something more kid friendly. Note that the high back seat body is absent in the drawings and nothing is mentioned in the article of the seat body's design orgin.
Was another Roth artist, namely David Mann, the one really responsible for the Candy Wagon's seat/body? Notice the pipes too, and compare to the Candy Wagon cover above. Did Roth decide on the style after seeing this? Did Dave do it after seeing the CW or see another sketch of Newt's, or visa versa? Based on this art and the date, I think Dave had the idea first. Roth published this poster in '68.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Art Imitates Life
Many of the crazy images that were put out by Roth had some basis in reality. Note the Iron Cross on the gas tank.
Dick Cook aboard "Big Daddy's" mini bike. It was said to be too big for Ed. This thing is more ridiculous than in the art.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Favorite Von Dutch Sign/Taking Off
I'm going to be away from the blog for a bit. Feel free to leave your comments and I'll post them when I can. In the mean time....
I leave you with my favorite Von Dutch sign.
From the Brucker auction
I leave you with my favorite Von Dutch sign.
From the Brucker auction
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Peace My Brothers... and Sistahs
Sorry about the long break from the blog. I'm back and will be posting new stuff again. Thanks for hangin in there.
Big Daddy aboard "Oink". My all time favorite swing arm Harley. Where did this bike go?
Big Daddy aboard "Oink". My all time favorite swing arm Harley. Where did this bike go?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ads '69
Forty Freakin Years Ago.
I saved this page from what I think was a 1969 Cycle Guide
The ads (below), are on the back
You don't see the H-D Outperformer art as often as the others.
I saved this page from what I think was a 1969 Cycle Guide
The ads (below), are on the back
You don't see the H-D Outperformer art as often as the others.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Another Roth Sighting
The Bill Ray Life Magazine HA photos are worth a second look. Found another one with Roth.
Notice how typically Big Daddy's slacks are splattered with paint from pinstriping.
Notice how typically Big Daddy's slacks are splattered with paint from pinstriping.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Dutch Treat, as in Von
That's Kenny holding up the tiny Honda chopper. I believe it was called Teeny Weenie. I remember it from another magazine, maybe a later Choppers magazine. They re-ran some of the early issue features and bikes in the later large format magazine.
Big Daddy gives lots of good information about this mysterious man who had already become a character of legend in '68.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dick Allen Chopper Hero
As a kid buying chopper magazines certain individuals took on rock star status. One of those guys was Dick Allen. Any time a magazine featured something related to Dick you knew it would be cool.
Dick's bike as featured in Choppers Magazine Oct. 68. Here you can see how the secondary sissy bar bolts to the fender and at the bar up top.
Take note of the art and also that skinny 26" front wheel.
During this period, not too many ran a stock bobbed Harley fender on this style of chopper.
Really tall stacks, ...a slight crack?!
It's interesting how time changes things. At that time, many guys dumped their panheads in a flash for the better performance of a shovel. So why did Dick go from a pan to a shovel then latter a knuckle? Some say knucks are the best.
An earlier photo of what appears to be the same bike. Forks are early Sportster that look to be fitted with slugs for extension (check the area between trees). The trees look raked and the lower one still has the fork boot mounts attached. The antique 26" front rim and spokes was still black at this time.
A later shot of Dick on his knuckle "Locomotion", sporting some of his trademark features: 12 spoke 15"mag with car radial tire, swooping sissy bar support, long narrow springer, 2 to 1 collector exhaust, cobra seat, tall z-bars, and Sportster headlight. These features became almost a standard for the South Bay (beach cities L.A.).
Ed Newton's art for Roth's t-shirts and decals. Tall pipes, Indian forks, tall skinny front wheel and a crazy bearded rider. Was this inspired by the wheelie incident or drawn before and later modified for the article? This could have been Dick, as Newton's California Chopper art also seems to be a depiction of Beautiful Buzzard.
The engine here is a shovel and the tanks match Dick's paint. Only Ed Newton would know the back story.
Dick's bike as featured in Choppers Magazine Oct. 68. Here you can see how the secondary sissy bar bolts to the fender and at the bar up top.
Take note of the art and also that skinny 26" front wheel.
During this period, not too many ran a stock bobbed Harley fender on this style of chopper.
Really tall stacks, ...a slight crack?!
It's interesting how time changes things. At that time, many guys dumped their panheads in a flash for the better performance of a shovel. So why did Dick go from a pan to a shovel then latter a knuckle? Some say knucks are the best.
An earlier photo of what appears to be the same bike. Forks are early Sportster that look to be fitted with slugs for extension (check the area between trees). The trees look raked and the lower one still has the fork boot mounts attached. The antique 26" front rim and spokes was still black at this time.
A later shot of Dick on his knuckle "Locomotion", sporting some of his trademark features: 12 spoke 15"mag with car radial tire, swooping sissy bar support, long narrow springer, 2 to 1 collector exhaust, cobra seat, tall z-bars, and Sportster headlight. These features became almost a standard for the South Bay (beach cities L.A.).
Ed Newton's art for Roth's t-shirts and decals. Tall pipes, Indian forks, tall skinny front wheel and a crazy bearded rider. Was this inspired by the wheelie incident or drawn before and later modified for the article? This could have been Dick, as Newton's California Chopper art also seems to be a depiction of Beautiful Buzzard.
The engine here is a shovel and the tanks match Dick's paint. Only Ed Newton would know the back story.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Iron Cross Inspector
I was going through the LIFE HA photos (mostly checking the ones with bikes), so I buzzed right pass this one. Keep in mind, this was 1965. From the 100+ photos, this is the only one I saw featuring our hero.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Roth's Custom Bike Magazine Part 2
Blog reader Bjorn 81 sent the following:
Greeting from the UK.
Greeting from the UK.
In reference to Choppers Magazine:
"and I could swear I've also seen the July cover with the Choppers Magazine masthead."
Yes you are right.. I've got 1 earlier issue (No1 1967) and about 10 later ones (March69 -Feb70=)
in my collection... attached is a mail from a reader that explains it all...
Anyway, I do like your blog very much so keep up the good work!
Kind Regards
Bjorn81 Kent England
Contributor to
I think Bjorn meant to say I was right about the magazine reader's influence on the process of changing the name back. I've yet to find any hard evidence for two version of the July issue.
Read Irish Rich's comments in the last post.
I went back to check my archives and found the covers below. They along with the ones in the last post validate Rich's commnets.
In the letter at the top of the blog, I think Roth meant to say he slyly changed it back to Custom Bike in Sept. Did he justify doing it for this issue because it featured a dresser? We'll probably never know.
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