It has happened again! I am sitting
here writing my column as the snow flies outside. This is now the third month
in a row this has happened. Yes I know it’s winter, but at least in years past
the roads have been clean enough to ride. I know we live in the mid-west and
this is not all that uncommon, it’s just that snow sucks!I’m sure those of you that ride all year will
agree with me on this. I hope that by the time this edition hits the stands,
our weather problems will be behind us for the season. Well, let’s hope anyway.
The snow didn’t stop many of us from
making the Vtwin Expo the weekend of February 6 & 7. I had the opportunity
to cover the show with Max McSayles and Ron Sallee. You will be able to see
some of that work on our website over the next few months. We had some great
interviews with many of the biggest names in the motorcycle industry. The
interviews covered so many new and improved parts and accessories for bikes it
was hard to remember them all. Keep an eye on the website and check them out.
Even though it snowed over 10 inches
the night before the show it did not stop us from getting there. I am very glad
the snow did not stop me from meeting one of my favorite all-time bike
builders, Ron Finch. Ron is one of the best nationally known bike builders to
date. Ron is known for his extremely radical designs, which take bike building
to a new level each year. Ron opened Ron Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles in
Pontiac, Michigan back in 1965 and has been turning the chopper world on end
ever since. In 1972 he moved the company to Auburn Hills, Michigan. In 2001 Ron
and his wife sold their properties to spend more time with the family. Now in
semi retirement Ron focuses on building one off radical customs as well as his
artwork made from scraps of metal, tools and old parts. Many of these artistic
works are for sale to the general public.
One of Ron’s very first bikes,
“Kaleidocycleâ€(the one that first made me a fan) rocked the custom bike
industry way back in 1969. I was only 10 years old at that time but loved bikes
and was spell bound by his work. Needless to say that bike was only the first
of so many radical rides by Ol’Finch. His constant need to produce new and
unusual designs has delighted fans like me for many years. Just some of the
famous works or art/bikes he has built over the years are “Kaleidocycle†made
from a 1966 BSA in 1969. His first trike called“Trilogy†built out of a 1971 Triumph Trident rolled out in 1975 to the
amazement of thousands. In 1982 there was the “Aorta†a 1970 Ironhead
Sportster, 87 brought the “Loophole†a 1973 Shovelhead you would never
recognize. The year 1993 brought a full-blown ground up custom called
“Outspoken†and in 04 another ground up was the “Double Crossâ€. My favorite build
before “The Outsider†came in 06; this ground up custom was called “Finickyâ€.
There have been many more rides that have come out of Finch’s Cycles and would
take a book to cover them all.
Many look at Finch customs as art, not
to be ridden. Don’t say that in front of Ron though, his response will be “well
son of a B*&$h let’s go for a rideâ€. That’s his thinking on all the bikes
he builds. If you can’t ride them they are of no use. Although Ron’s work has
been featured in many motorcycle and art museums over the years he still makes
sure each and every design is built to ride safely. The latest artistic
creation to come from “The Legend†is a side hack set up called “The Outsiderâ€.
As a hack aficionado I have to say this is something to behold. The bike is
actually made out of wrenches, chains, gears, bearings and anything else you
would see laying around a shop. Little to no sheet metal was used in creating
this one of a kind set up. All small parts have been welded together, formed
and polished to make this wild ride. It has to be the most unique sidecar set
up I think anyone has ever seen. When Ron arrived here in town he decided to
fire “The Outsider†up and take it for a ride through the streets of
Cincinnati. It didn’t take long for the public to stop walking and take a good
look at this bizarre new ride. All eyes were on the bike as it passed through
town causing a stir with both riders and non-riders alike. I would say this has
to be the sweetest ride he has built to date, then again I am a little biased.
