The show's sponsors, Don and Deb Van Cleave, are the proprietors of the "Al Petri and Sons Bicycle Shop", in the Lincoln Park section of Detroit, Michigan. You can contact Don for show information at the following Email address: bicycledon@comcast.net See you next year. John Brain

Welcome to BikeRod&Kustom's coverage of the "Al Petri and Sons" Kustom Bicycle Show, North America's leading Kustom Bike Show, held March 7,8,&9, 2008  at  the Detroit "Autorama". By BR&K Associate Editor John Brain.

Detroit Michigan, early morning, March 7. 2008: Eric Hannan and I arrived at Cobo Hall to unload and set up his bikes at the Al Petri Kustom Bicycle Show. We went around to the back of the building to the main loading dock. Our worries that we might get stuck in back of a monster line-up of vehicles trying to get in did not materialize. In fact, there was no line up at all. Just about all the displays in the show had already arrived.

Above: Adam Mihalo's  wild trike named "Trilogy Of Evil" made from a 1962 Schwinn trike.

Above: Danny Smith's bike named "Sinister Cruiser". <Left: This cute bike is owned by Mercedes Montour, its name is  "Bratz Bike".

We probably had the last vehicle that was allowed to come in the building and unload. Almost immediately we met up with Don and Deb Van Cleave (who organize the bike show), after introductions they quickly directed us to where Eric's display would be.

All Above: David Johnstone's "Cannibal Clown"  wild 1968 Schwinn with incredible flake paint.

Most of the bicycles entered in the show had already arrived; we (being from out of town) were lagging a bit. Then, with a bit of work and wrenching, the Hannan bike display was in place.

Above Left: Jeff Chapp sitting on Eric Hannan's "Bad Ass" Chopper. Above Center and Right: Don Whitt's "OSB Special" wooden cruiser was very popular.

There were at least 50 bicycles on display this year, in all shapes and sizes. And the bike owners ranged from the young to the "not quite ready to give it up yet" age. The main thing that really sets the Al Petri kustom bike show apart is not only the sheer number of bicycles entered, but also the quality and level of mechanical experimentation seen. I was especially glad to see that the vast majority of bikes entered in the show were there for the very first time, making for a vibrant and fresh exhibition.

Above Center and Right: Eric Hannan's "Red". <Left: Dora "Giggles" Johnson made this bike, it's her "Little Pixie"

Watching the judging was a sport unto itself. The three judges scoring the bikes seemed to be constantly busy, and very interested in the unique nature of each machine on display. They were obviously into what they were doing, and knew what they were looking at. Having over 50 bikes entered allowed the judging classes to be quite varied. Only bikes that matched in a category (and by owners' age) competed against one another. I know of no other show that is as thorough in this respect. Anyone entering a bike in the Petri show can be assured they will have their machine put into the appropriate judging class. This is really something to cheer about.

Above Left: Don Van Cleave built the "Garden Rat", it lives in his garden.

Above Center and Right: Young Henry Miller IV, proudly showing off his "Little Digger" Stingray. This bike has a pressurized air suspension, giving a bouncy ride on command.

The crowds came in waves, and many of the owners spent hours answering questions about their bikes. Even the young kids displaying bikes were more than happy to tell you about the finer details of their kustom rides. Everyone had a great time displaying their creations, and audience response was equally fantastic. Don and Deb Van Cleave really know how to set up and run a kustom bicycle show. With more than 10 years of bike show experience they really get the job done right, for both exhibiters and show-goers alike. The kustom bicycle world is extremely lucky to have the Al Petri kustom bike show on the scene. Quality and professionalism situated in a world class venue makes the Petri bike show a one of a kind. It is the show to be part of if you want your bike to get some serious exposure to the masses. There is only one Detroit Autorama Kustom Bicycle show. It really is the event where you can check out the latest (and greatest) in the world of creative cycling. Left: Deb Van Cleave

Above: Jason Sieradzky had his "Twisted Illusion" lowrider trike at the show. it was one of the big trophy winners this year.

Above Center and Right: Jay Englen's modified Roadmaster bike named "Second Chance"

The show's sponsors, Don and Deb Van Cleave, are the proprietors of the "Al Petri and Sons Bicycle Shop", in the Lincoln Park section of Detroit, Michigan. You can contact Don for show information at the following Email address: bicycledon@comcast.net See you next year. John Brain

Above: Jazzy Miller is the young owner of this cool bike named "Boba Fett".

AboveCenter and Right: Jeff Chapp and his "Time Frame"- a big winner at last year's show.

Above Right and Center: Jeffry Jackson's lowrider "Sic Wit It" .

Above: Jim Johnson's "Dark Journey".

Above Left, Center, Right: Kelly Eitniear displayed his wild chopper at the show, built around a "Firebikes"  Morgition frame. He won the frame in a BikeRod&Kustom raffle.

Above: Kustom bicycle mavericks Kelly Eitniear, Jim Johnson and Mike Jones, taking a break.               Center: Leonard Henning's "High Roller".

Above: Linday Myers pop star- themed "Best of Both Worlds".

Above, Below, All: Paul Coleman Jr's "Pain Killer", built from a Schwinn Spoiler, features independent rear suspension and shaft drive, along with a wild set of lighted kustom wheels.

Above: Paul Holtz' 1969 Schwinn Tandem.

Above: Paul Holtz' 1965 Schwinn  named "Duel".

Above, Below: Little chopper "Radical Ride" owned by young Preston Kaleugher, in the saddle.

Below: Sean P Murphy's kustom '36 Schwinn on display; it is appropriately called "Board Racer"

Below: Marco Kaleugher's  "Tiger Bike" was another big hit at the show, everyone loved it.

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