Unfortunately, Sunday was rainy; but Saturday was so fantastic that everyone decided to return in 2006, which will be the 5th anniversary. BR&K will be in place to report; and we hope to see you there. |
Saturday Mid-Day Drag Racing! Lots of fun was had during the Drag Racing . There were various classes, and the riders gave their best. But fun was the most important point; and no one took it too seriously. . Right: Many thanks go out to the organizer and Judge, Rhalf (Chopperdome/NL). You can see the results on www.chopperdome.com . |
Below, 1,2,3: New ideas by Joris Rockx (Rotterdam/NL): The bottom bracket is mounted with thick welded spokes, the rear wheel is from a small motorcycle. For more information about him and his other creations, see www.rockx.net/cfw . The name of the bike is The Magnificent Seven. |
In Amsterdam/Netherlands, a big Kustom-Bike meeting took place over the weekend of July 29-31. . Over 100 bikes from all over Europe came to this annually-growing event, organized by www.chopperdome.com . On Friday evening there was the chance to meet other riders at the bar, and to see new bikes and parts in the shop (Deuce spinner wheels, new Iron Cross pedals by Firebikes and 3G). Later that evening there was an Alley Cat Cruise, with questions to be answered, followed by a long evening of shop talk with old and new friends. |
In Amsterdam/Netherlands, a big Kustom-Bike meeting took place over the weekend of July 29-31. . Over 100 bikes from all over Europe came to this annually-growing event, organized by www.chopperdome.com . On Friday evening there was the chance to meet other riders at the bar, and to see new bikes and parts in the shop (Deuce spinner wheels, new Iron Cross pedals by Firebikes and 3G). Later that evening there was an Alley Cat Cruise, with questions to be answered, followed by a long evening of shop talk with old and new friends. |
B Y F R A N K R U S S O , B R & K A S S O C I A T E E D I T O R / E U R O P E |
Friday, Shop Impressions: |
Below: Nice bike by Sir S. with Harley seat-pan. Check out the chainring as a chain-tensioner : |
After a rainy night, the weather was perfect, and there was a large group participation in outdoor activities. The meeting-point was the Ketelhuis in the Westerpark. During the day, riders arrived with their kustomized bikes which they had recently finished in their garages and cellars. Some were completed the night before the event. Here are a few examples of the extraordinary variety of ideas: |
Below Center, Right: Sam McKay (Firebikes / Canada) took part in the event, which shows the importance of this European meeting. Perhaps we may see more international celebrities at next year's 5th anniversary of the Chopperdome. |
Saturday Morning: |
Left: A Bonanza bike kustomized by Andi (Bonanzaboys/Germany); with an Evel Knievel look and the minimum of parts. Again, the rear is a small motorcycle tire. This conversion seems to be a trend, because there were not so many fat tires on the bicycle market until now. We hope to see more in the future. |
Above: Sam and Basman (NL) with the new Basman frame. Below: Sam , Bob and Basman : |
Left: NoName Customs and American Legend bikes presented side-by-side, by Allridestyle (Germany): |
Below, 1,2,3: New ideas by Joris Rockx (Rotterdam/NL): The bottom bracket is mounted with thick welded spokes, the rear wheel is from a small motorcycle. For more information about him and his other creations, see www.rockx.net/cfw . The name of the bike is The Magnificent Seven. |
Below Left: Dennis' bike Newton's 2nd Law of Motion with single sided swing-arm; still in progress with, unfortunately, some problems with the drive-train. HEAVY METAL! Below Center-Right: A fully-equipped Bonanza and a 70's Domina by Bonanza-Brigade Germany (Chris and Betti). |
Below 1,2,3: Matt 7/32 presented a creation with an amazingly perfect paint job. Astonishing details: The brakes operate by twisting the throttle-grip. The cable passes through the handlebars and frame, and changes by a mechanical converter into a hydraulic system under the seat to both brakes. The rear chain ring is a brake disc. |
Left and Below 1, 2, 3, 4: Olaf and Elvin from Oss (NL) on their nearly identical bikes with different color schemes. Nice details! The photos speak for themselves: |
Below Left: You need a steady hand for pinstriping; nice to see it done live! . Below Center: Extravagant Iron-Cross Dragster-Stretchcruiser with a strong halogen light in the front part of the "tank": |
Below Right: Very long Dragster with wheelie-bar and electric waterpump; with little jets to splash over the race opponent. : |
Saturday Mid-Day Drag Racing! Lots of fun was had during the Drag Racing . There were various classes, and the riders gave their best. But fun was the most important point; and no one took it too seriously. . Right: Many thanks go out to the organizer and Judge, Rhalf (Chopperdome/NL). You can see the results on www.chopperdome.com . |
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Saturday Evening featured a 2-hour party cruise through the city of Amsterdam. This not-really-slow- sight-seeing cruise was a hard test for all the bikes. As far as I know, all participants reached the destination without technical malfunction. . There were two bikes with music trailers, and the BOOOOM BOOOOM of the bass beat the streets and canals. It was a nice mix of all music genres, no problem to hear 70's Disco after Rammstein, which awakened the cruisers' wild enthusiasm. . There was a strong feeling of solidarity among the 100 riders. . The Chopperdome crew stopped the cars at cross roads. Dutch car drivers deserve big compliments. They were blowing their horns for excitement- not impatience. |
Below: The cruise ended at nightfall, which gave a chance to see the kustom lights on the bikes- lots of LED's on wheels and frames, and illuminated skulls and crosses. |
Unfortunately, Sunday was rainy; but Saturday was so fantastic that everyone decided to return in 2006, which will be the 5th anniversary. BR&K will be in place to report; and we hope to see you there. |
