John: When and how did you first get involved with hosting the kustom bicycle show at the Autorama? . Don: Several years ago, "Bicycle Don" challenged a few locals. Four of us entered bikes in the Autorama. Sorry guys, I took first. The next year I was a vendor only. The following year, we started hosting the shows. It grew from there. . John: How has the show evolved over the last ten years; what changes have you seen in styling trends? . Don: The shows have changed from lowrider to kustom bike shows. The lowriders will be around for a while, but the grass-roots choppers and kustoms have been welcomed. I am thinking of adding old-school BMX to our next Autorama show. . John: In the '70s it was young teenagers who were building and showing kustom bicycles at car shows.  Who is building bikes now? Are builders becoming a more diverse group? . Don: A lot of bike builders from the '60s and '70s are the driving force behind their children and grandchildren building today's kustoms. The current kustom motorcycle TV shows also spark ideas. . John: Does the Al Petri and Sons Bike Shop sponsor any other bicycle shows in Michigan? Would you like to be involved with doing more shows? Don: Al Petri and Sons sponsors several shows a year. They change as the interest and time goes on. Most are side shows to hot rod shows. We also do a couple of rides with a BBQ afterwards. I always welcome show offers, but try to stay close to home. . John: The Detroit Autorama show has had kustom bicycles on display since the '60s. Did you build kustomized bicycles in your younger days, before the current resurgence of kustom bicycle building? What is your personal history with bicycle building? . Don: I have been into bicycles forever- working at the shop since 1970. There is a joke running through the bike business that says " I like bikes"; I sometimes believe I am one of the few in the bike business who can actually say that "I like bikes". . John: I understand that Petri and Sons Bike Shop sponsors cruises for kustomized bikes, could you tell us more about them and how you became involved? . Don: the cruises are more or less one night a week where we meet at a business. We choose a different one every year. It can be a coffee shop or a restaurant. It's no official cruise, but just guys and gals hanging out, showing off bikes, talking, exchanging ideas. . John: How much work is it to put on the "Petri and Sons" bike show at the Detroit Autorama, when do you start with the preparations, and what is involved, does it take a lot out of the two of you? . Don: The Autorama is a lot of work. Planning starts before the last year's show is over. There is a lot of paper work, arranging  for the space, coming up with the funds to pay for the space, etc. It is being worked on all year. We have added Grand Rapids Autorama to our list for last year and the coming year. We plan to do some bike building on stage there this year. I am also in talks with a few more Autoramas. John: How can entrants contact you if they want to exhibit their bikes at next year's show; when do they need to contact you by? . Don: The key contact is through the shop: Al Petri and Sons, 2160 Fort Street, Lincoln Park, MI, 48146. Phone 313-381-2833. And I am dropping into this century- go to petribikes.com for updates. I can also be reached at bicycledon@petribikes.com . John: You use a different judging form than the one the I.S.C.A  (International Show Car Association) used to use. What goes into making a judging form, do you have different or modified forms to judge different styles of bikes? . Don: We came up with a judging sheet that models some car judging. But I also include some items like judging book, display, and the like. It has evolved from years of shows and works well. These sheets can be given to the owners so they can see where they need work, and what they have done that people really like. I use at least three judges in each class. . John: Any suggestions for people who want to display a kustom bike at your show, what are some of the main things you look for and judge on? . Don: A clean bike is important. Bikes should be tasteful. It is not how much money you spend, it is how what you did comes together. Displays with themes are important. There are classes for young first time builders, with little kustom work. Not every bike is big bucks. And you only compete with bikes similar to yours. . John: What is the most difficult part of putting together a kustom bike show? . Don: The hardest thing about a show is packing up and going home when it is done. . John: What kind of reactions do you see from the average show visitor, and is it true that many celebrities attending the Autorama show make a special trip just to see the Petri and Sons exhibit? . Don: we have several regulars who look for our show, come every year. Most newcomers to the show circuit have been watching for a while. The celebrities who attend very often visit the bikes and look for the younger bike builders and pose for pictures with them. George Barris always makes a point of coming, taking pics, and putting them on his website. . John: Do you see any new trends in the kustom bicycle world: are show bikes becoming more radical or are builders thinking more about ridability? Don: As time goes on, I see the bikes becoming more rideable. There are always, as there should be, some trailer queens. But the rider-useable bikes are coming on strong- not hammered-together bikes but real pieces of art. . John: Where would you like to see the kustom bike movement in five years; what trends would you like to see explored? . Don: Five years down the road? I don't know for sure. The chopper thing already shows signs of slowing. I see a bigger surge of the cruiser bikes. Big wheels, fat tires, nice kustom work. I also see the '80s BMX guys trying their hand. We will see more geared bikes. Maybe less chrome and better paint. The lowrider and the chopper will always have their following, but the branching out will be into kustom cruisers. We also can't forget the true garage builds- those bikes that take many, many hours to build. Not big bucks spent, but lots of fabbed parts made in the garage. Nice paint, clean parts, very ridable for the trip to the coffee shop. A unique, well-done bike will turn more heads than a kustom car or motorcycle. If you don't believe that, build one, ride it through a car show or the middle of a swingin' downtown, and see for yourself. . John: On behalf or our readers, Don, thanks very much. . Don: Peace, from Bicycle Don and his lovely wife Debbie

Meet Don Van Cleave Host of the "Al Petri and Sons Bike Show" at the Detroit Autorama. Interviewed by John Brain .

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