Progressive IMS Outdoors launched its 2012 motorcycle show scheduled July 16-18 at Sonoma Raceway, where it presented the first round of awards in the annual J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder custom bike show series.
“We designed the competition to spotlight professional and amateur builders alike, attracting world-class builders at each stop along the tour that come to showcase their rolling works of art,” Bob Kay, director of the ultimate builder bike show series, is quoted in a post-event news release.
“Not only do the participants receive well-deserved recognition, but the custom motorcycles on display provide event attendees the opportunity to engage with some of the finest customs across the US.
“Each bike,” he added, “tells a unique story.”
At each stop in the series, competition is held in three categories — custom street, custom classic and freestyle. There also is a People’s Choice award based on voting by show visitors. Winners in the various rounds are eligible for the championship event scheduled for late October in Atlanta.
Sonoma winners were:
Custom Classic — Hugo Eccles of Untitled Motorcycles and his 1975 Moto Guzzi Supernaturale, a minimalist cafe racer with an 844cc engine. The build is nearly 25 percent lighter than the 1975 donor bike on which it is based.
Custom Street — Daniel Stern and painter Art Himsl won with a 2004 Harley-Davidson Softail and sidecar with handmade fenders and body panels. The sidecar also has an exotic wood floor and custom luggage fitting behind the seat.
Freestyle — Gino and Denis Ilacqua of Jezabel Customs and painter Shane Leasure won with a 1976 Custom Chopper featuring throwback rocker boxes, a custom oil tank, twist bar, plus bent metal pieces using camper propane tanks and a vise to shape fabricated pieces.
People’s Choice (see photo at top of story) — Joe Stoesser’s “The Team Dream” is a 1994 Harley-Davidson FXR built in a one-car garage and features a nickel-plated frame, one-off swing arm, candy paint, and several hundred hours of hand engravings.
The 2021 series next moves to the Chicago area for an event August 20-22 at Pingree Grove, Illinois. Other events are scheduled for September 3-5 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York, September 10-12 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania, October 1-3 at Texas Motor Speedway, October 8-11 at the Lebanon, Tennessee, October 15-17 at Lakeland, Florida, October 29-31 at Georgia International Horse Park, with a Southern California event yet to be announced.
Beautiful bikes to drool over.