With every intention of getting to The One Moto Show, I still managed to miss it. It’s my favorite show of the year, and the best people, who I truly missed. My buddy Steve West (Silver Piston Jewelry) was on-hand, and sent back his personal shots from Portland. And out of all of them, this old school Triumph Bobber definitely has my heart…
I just can’t imagine no how, no way, next year could be any better. Thor might have to blow it up and start over. I love The One Motorcycle Show– feels like home, so many good people, such great vibes. And this video captures it all perfectly.
Thanks again to Thor Drake, Tori George, ad the entire crew at See See Motor Coffee Co. for one helluva time at this year’s The One Motorcycle Show! I came home with so many pics I took (not so great) of bikes (great) that I’ve got to post– The1Moto PT. II! Until next year…
Yamaha XS650, Holiday Custom Motorcycles, wooden fenders | Photo by The Selvedge Yard
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1973 Triumph from @caseman / Red Clouds, super clean | Photo by The Selvedge Yard
See See Motor Coffee Co. delivered strong on year six, with a dramatic new venue and a shit-ton of incredible bikes. Smack dab in the middle of the old industrial space was a monstrous metal press that towered over the surrounding bikes– a sight to see in itself. Per usual, all were welcome– custom choppers, cafes, cruisers, scramblers, land-speed racers, and eh, minibikes! Lots of minibikes, and an outdoor oval track to ride them on to boot!
“Steam Hammer” 1960 Harley-Davidson FLH custom built by Travis at High-Test Speed drew lots of eyes and accolades at The One Motorcycle Show 2015 in Portland, Oregon. Even this little pooch had to do a double-take. [All photos © by Ashley Smalley for The Selvedge Yard]
It’s good people more than anything that are the heart & soul of See See’s The One Motorcycle Show— like friend & photographer Scott Toepfer, standing next to his custom Harley-Davidson flathead racer. [All photos © by Ashley Smalley for The Selvedge Yard]
A follow-up video to Part 1 (obviously) where Thor Drake goes deeper on the builders and their bikes that made the show so fucking awesome! Great imagery and commentary that adds a lot of color to the experience. Pure joy.
The One Motorcycle Show thrown by Thor Drake, Tori George and the rest of the gang at See See Motor Coffee, has become my favorite annual getaway. It’s the good-time, anti-corporate bike show– no crusty convention center, sterile brochures, cheesy models, cookie-cutter exhibits, or plastic smiles. Everyone is having a fucking blast, seeing old friends, meeting new, grabbing a coffee or a beer, and checking out the sea of cool bikes, photography, art, and of course the 21 Helmets exhibit.
It was such a pleasure finally meeting Buz Ras of Seattle Speedometer at The One Motorcycle Show in Portland, Oregon a couple weeks ago. Buz is the go-to guy when it comes to custom gauges, with many of the best builders out there tapping his shop, because the design, quality, and finish are top notch. For me, seeing the 12 custom speedos that he did for The One Show blew my mind. Lined up on his tidy table like little soldiers, each one was a beautiful work of art. I wanted to buy one on the spot, but they were all CB (Honda) speedos, great for display because of their big faces that really show-off his incredible work. After a couple drinks, a few hugs, and many laughs later we headed over to Sassy’s across from The One Show and kept the good times lubricated while we shot the shit about what he does.
TSY: So Buz, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer– but I couldn’t help noticing at The One Motorcycle Show that you are one tall drink of water, brother. I mean, how the fuck are you 6″10″ and allowed to profess that you hate sports? Ain’t nobody got time for that! Did they just tear your poor Dad up?
SS: My dad was an amazing basketball player in school, won awards. I played basketball for one season in high school. Fouled out of every game, and got ejected from 8 games. After that I decided I was not a sports guy. I kinda regret not pursuing it more because I could have made a ton of money with very little effort, but there’s no going back now…
TSY: (That’s what she said, Buz.) So have you always been a motorhead, Buz? Was this a natural career path for you, or did you just kinda fall into it?
SS: I’ve always loved motorized things. Taking stuff apart, seeing how it worked. I was going to go to college to be an engineer but I quickly learned its 95% paperwork, 5% actual building. So, I ended up with a degree in anthropology.
TSY: This is so interesting for me, because I’ve always been drawn to speedometers since I was a little kid. I remember walking up to cars and bikes and going straight to the speedo to get the critical 411. And I’d be so matter-of-fact in stating, “Yes, this Mercury Bobcat will do 150 mph. I know because it says so on the speedometer right there!” Funny, doesn’t quite work like that, but as a kid…. Anyway, how do you go from anthropology to speedometers?
The One Motorcycle Show has officially blown-up. Hat tip to Thor Drake & crew at See See Motorcycles for putting on an unforgettable event, and forging a community of passionate and fun-loving riders, builders & fans that now call The 1 Moto home. It was definitely an eclectic mix of personalities and styles that made for an epic display of jaw-dropping machines. Big name custom-build powerhouses cozied-up next to local bikes and newcomers. Young and old stood shoulder to shoulder without a dissenting word towards old farts or hipsters alike. In fact, there were more smiling faces and open hearts than you could shake a chain at, as everyone pulled together without nary a grumble and gave the crowd a show they won’t soon forget– I know I won’t. The talented Scott Toepfer was official bike photographer, and Ray Gordon’s THROTTLED II exhibit raised the rafters off Sandbox Studio.
I dare say– How the HELL are you gonna top this one, Thor!?
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Todd Blubaugh proudly posing on his Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, so good to meet you.
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Buddy and badass photographer Scott Toepfer snaps this Harley-Davidson Shovelhead chopper.
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Pre-show snapshot of THROTTLED II goodness by the irrepressible Ray Gordon – love that guy.
Still regretting that I blew my chance last year to see Ray Gordon’s adrenaline-infused work in person last year– so, I’m sure as hell ain’t going to miss The One Motorcycle Show this Feb. 8th-10th at Sandbox Studios, Portland, OR. Got my ticket, getting on the plane bloody frickin’ early tomorrow morning. See y’all there!
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THROTTLED II — photograph by © Ray Gordon
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THROTTLED II — photograph by © Ray Gordon
The Selvedge Yard 