MOON Space Agency Steve's BORN FREE 7 Trip Report
Born Free 7 - June 27-28, 2015 at Oak Canyon Ranch in Silverado, California
Greetings! This is MOONEYES Steve. Much like last year around this time (view: Born Free 6 Report), I arrived at MOONEYES USA in Santa Fe Springs, California just before the weekend of festivities. Although there's been an extreme drought, the blue sky over the yellow MOON building, BIG EYES & palm trees are a welcoming sight to see. Born Free 7 (BF7) was held on June 27 & 28, 2015 in the same location as last year, Oak Canyon Ranch in Silverado, California. It has proven to be the perfect spot for this event. Not too far outside the city and lots of room.
The chain of events begins on Thursday June 25, 2015 where we attended Street Chopper Magazine's Builder's Showcase VIP PARTY at their head office in Irvine. A big thank you to the host of the party, Jeff Holt (pictured above). He was responsible for the great food and beverages as well as entertainment for everyone.
We arrived early and the party was already getting started. Builder bikes from HOT BIKE Speed and Style were on display as you entered the area.
Heading towards the back of the lot, the Born Free invited builders' bikes were lined up on display. It was our first chance to see all of the amazing builds. Above shows just a quick glimpse but we'll get into these bikes later at the show.
On our weay out we saw a few bikes in the parking lot, many from all over the USA. This cool Shovelhead apparently rode out from North Carolina and was equipped with MOON Original Parts. Thank you for your support!
We left the VIP PARTY and heading into downtown Los Angeles for the Dice Party. So many bikes and not a single parking space for cars... that's downtown LA for you. Dice Party was packed with people, live music and tons of cold beverages. Thank you Dean and Matt!
We showed up at Oak Canyon Rach bright and early for set up on Friday June 26, 2015. After the MOONEYES Booth was all set, we strolled around the event grounds to see what was there. Below are a few highlights.
The main area, Invited Builders section, was partially full so I will save that for a little later. The photos above are from the vendor booths and other builders as well as the "friends of Born Free" section which had many familiar motorcycles still looking just as sharp as the first time we saw them.
After the set up, Friday night was Show Class Magazine's party at COOK'S CORNER located just down the road from the event grounds.
So many people, so many choppers! This year, they expanded the area of the party and included a huge canopy and it was still compeltely filled with people. The finalists (builder bikes) were lined up for the final call. The winner of this would take a spot inside the Born Free Invited Builder's section!
On the way out, in complete darkness, I tried to capture a few of the choppers riding passed.
Saturday June 27, 2015 - Born Free 7 (Day One)
BORN FREE 7 INVITED BUILDERS AREA
I made a point to get out to the Invited Builder's area early before the crowds of people began to show up. There were 23 Invited Builders this year. All unique, all different, all amazing.
Soon, the gates were officially opened and riders and people began to fill the area. Next to the Invited Builder's area was the HOT BIKE Speed and Style builder displays with each bike on a wooden pedestal. Harley-Davidson and of course the official Born Free booth. I walked around toward the other vendor booths as well.
A special hightlight this year was legendary builder Arlen Ness and a group his bikes on display. One spectacular build was Arlen Ness' "Untouchable" a 1947 Knucklehead which is described as his first show bike build. Initially started in 1966, it changed year after year until its final look in 1977.
Vans Shoes and Coker Tire had a booth. The swap meet area was in full effect with vintage motorcycle parts too.
ART & FUEL was the gallery competition featuring 10 artist painted gas tanks. Each person entering the gallery received a ticket which you were to put into a can as your favorite tank. The artist with the most tickets wins.
VENDORS - BIKES - VENDORS - BIKES & MORE
The Picturebooks performed live behind Dice Magazine's booth on a mini stage.
At the end of the day, the Born Free 7 Invited Builders' Choice "Top Builder Award" was announced on stage.
Congratulations to Oliver Jones of Cut Rate! High performance frisco look chopper with so many cool details you just have to see in person to appreciate. Luckily, Oliver and this Shovelhead will be at HCS2015! Come see this chopper at Pacifico Yokohama on Sunday December 6, 2015.
Sunday June 28, 2015 - Born Free 7 (Day Two)
LOW VOLTS one-man band rockin' the mini stage.
Just before the awards presentation to end the day, I stopped for freshly made lemonade. Refreshing! Then it was on towards the stage...
This year, the Best in Show award went to Ryan Grossman of Vintage Dreams from Oakland, California. Ryan searches, hunts, finds and preserves vintage motorcycle show bikes that have been long and forgotten about. He is well known for bringing the famouns show bike "Devilina" back to life. The award was presented for his resently completed and saved "Quickslilver" H-D Panhead show bike. He basically found the frame, traded a complete (running) Panhead motorcycle for it. Referencing old magazines, Ryan pieced the show bike back together again. Congratulations Ryan!
This vintage show bike and Ryan Grossman will be a guest at HCS2015. Come see this relic up close and in person at Pacifico Yokohama on Sunday December 6, 2015.
The grand finale was the raffle drawing for this Max Schaaf built H-D Knucklhead. The first card that was pulled was a no-show! The second name was pulled nad immediately a high pitched scream was heard from the crowd. The scream didn't stop and you could hear it coming closer to the stage and all of a sudden she appeared. All it takes is one ticket and you too could be riding home on a custom build chopper. Born Free makes it possible.
And on that note, these two men make Born Free possible. Thank you to Grant and Mike for another outstanding job. This was the best Born Free Show to date and I have a feeling it will keep getting better for years to come.
24TH ANNUAL YOKOHAMA HOT ROD CUSTOM SHOW 2015 - GUEST BIKES ANNOUNCED!
The following motorcycles have been confirmed as guests to this year's HCS2015. On Sunday December 6, 2015 at Pacifico Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, come see these awesome motorcyles and meet the builders in person.
BF7 Invited Builder: Arie Vanschyndel/VEE MFG. - 1950 Harley-Davidson Panhead
BF7 Award: Invited Builders' Choice 2nd Place/BF7 Founders Pick Award
BF7 Invited Builder: Scott Stopnik/Cycle Zombies - 1949 Harley-Davidson Panhead
BF7 Invited Builder: Oliver Jones/The Cut-Rate - Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
BF7 Award: Top Builder Award Winner (Invited Builder Choice)
BF7 Invited Builder: Jason Webber/ATR - 1951 Harley-Davidson Panhead
BF7 Award: People's Choice Award
BF7 Invited Builder: Jeff Leighton/The Wretched Hive - 1950 Triumph 650 Pre Unit
BF7 Award: Best Pre Unit Triumph
BF7 Invited Builder: Mark Drews - 1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead
BF7 Showcase/HOT BIKE Speed and Style Builder: Andy Carter/Pangea Speed- Harley-Davidson Evo Sportster
BF7 Award: Best Modern
Ryan Grossman/Vintage Dreams - 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead
BF7 Award: Best in Show
BONUS GALLERY:
Oliver Jones - The Cut Rate - Custom Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
Jason Webber - ATR - 1951 Harley-Davidson Panhead "Booger Sugar"
Jeff Leighton - The Wretched Hive - 1950 Triumph 650 Pre Unit
Mark Drews - 1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead
Along with me on this trip to BORN FREE was Yano. He posted on his blog about his experience. Check it out here!
Thank you for viewing my Born Free 7 report and gallery.
GO! WITH MOON!
