Hand-Built—The 2015 One Motorcycle Show in Portland
- Images by Shawn Glad
The One Motorcycle Show repurposed a 20,000-square-foot industrial space into a hub for motorcycle enthusiasts across three days: February 13-15th. Spearheaded by Thor Drake of See See Motor Coffee, the event celebrated craftsmanship and innovation in motorcycle design, with a special emphasis on hand-built motorcycles. This year also showcased the personal touch and technical skill involved in creating custom bikes, attracting over 12,000 attendees and setting new standards for motorcycle culture in the Pacific Northwest.
The choice of venue, with its raw and industrial vibe, proved to be an inspired backdrop that amplifies the unique styles of the custom motorcycles on display. Builders and artists from across the nation, showcased their latest creations that ranged from sleek modern designs to nostalgia-infused builds.
This 1940 Indian Boardtracker Custom, nicknamed “Suavecito,” by Christian Sosa of Sosa Metalworks combines vintage racing heritage with modern craftsmanship. Reflecting the golden era of board track racing, Suavacito looks like it’s in motion even while standing still — so cool!
The 21 helmets by 21 artists exhibition added a unique dimension to the custom motorcycles on display, captivating many attendees, myself included, with moto-inspired artwork throughout the venue.
The 1973 Maico MC400 was a powerhouse on the track. Designed by the German manufacturer Maico, the MC400 has an air-cooled, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine that could produce astonishing speeds and performance that left the competition in the dust.
“The Deadline” by Jeremy Lacy at Downshift Studio showcases the impressive skills of an artist and designer I’ve admired for a long time. Outstanding work, Jeremy; thanks for being at the One Moto Show!
This 1985 BMW K100, converted into a scrambler, features a modified air intake system, aggressive knobby tires, and redesigned frame and seat to match the scrambler style, achieving a perfect balance of appearance and functionality.
This 2004 Yamaha WR450F by Carl Bjorklund of Super Rat has reimagined a WR series enduro into a cutting-edge streamliner for the Bonneville Salt Flats’ 500cc class.
This Yamaha XS650, which looks to be built by Holiday Customs, demonstrates the XS650’s flexible nature. It’s not uncommon to see this platform used for custom choppers, trackers, or even café racer configurations. I’ve always admired Holiday’s sleek design approach, so seeing one in the wild is really cool.