Capital City Custom Cycle Show

Last weekend was the annual Capital City Custom Cycle Show. Thank you Tim, Margo, and Sydney for accompanying me to the show and for paying the $8 a piece to get in. You can tell by the line of motorcycles in the photo below that a little melting snow and sandy roads weren't going to keep the hardy Iowa Bikers from riding their scoots on this 50 degree day!

I could smell the leather as I entered the 4-H building at the Iowa State Fair Grounds. And there were Bikers everywhere I looked! You know I was in heaven. I took a few photos of the show. As I looked at the pictures, I kind of noticed a theme of the bikes that I'm drawn to. I was excited because I ran into the guys from Twisted Choppers. They came down from Sioux Falls, SD to show their choppers in the show again this year. I did a story on them after last years show and I was impressed that they actually remembered who I was. We chatted for a few minutes and then I was on my way to take some photos. Hope you enjoy the bikes that I was drawn to. I'm kind of a peanut tank, bobber lover. LOL

Had to give a little nod to the Victory Motorcycles since they are built in Spirit Lake, IA. 2009 is Victory's 10 Year Anniversary.

I know it's hard to tell but that is Big Swag(on the right) from the Speed Channel show Pass Time.

Love the Vintage Cycles...


Do you notice a theme?




Check out the rake on this Iowa Hawkeye themed Choppa! Holy lotta control you'd need to have to handle that bad boy.


A cool looking motorcycle with custom paint by Custom Paint Specialists of Des Moines, IA.


Love this little Indian! I think they may have just put an Indian sticker on this little bike but it's still cute. Does anyone know, did Indian make a little mini bike back in the day?

Check out this Cowboy inspired motorcycle. What got my attention was the saddle seat. Ride 'em Chrome Cowboy! Yee Haw!


It was hard to drag me away but Tim, Margo, and Sydney finally got me to leave the 4-H building with all the leather, bikes, and Old Dirty Bikers. As we made our way back the Suburban my thoughts wandered to another year of riding and how I can't freaking wait for Spring!

IHG xo

Twisted Choppers - Pure American Metal

Back in February at the Capital City Customs Swap Meet and Bike Show I happened upon Twisted Choppers. As I said in a previous post I was drawn to the bike that they call Mudshovel. I wanted to know more about these guys from Sioux Falls, SD and wanted to share their story and work with my loyal readers, so I contacted them.


Twisted Choppers is located in southwest Sioux Falls, SD and has 5 crew members: Jason Kangas, Kai Morrison, Joe Skinner, Dustin Olson, and Chad Lemme. Jason and Kai have been chopping for about 10 yrs. The guys grew up riding dirt bikes and admiring old hot rods. After high school they got their first bikes and began rebuilding them in their parent's garages. The parts that they would try to use never seemed to fit so they began making their own. Those parts turned into a portion of the business that they have today and it is also the main source of their income. If you need a frame, fenders, fuel tank, or various accessories, most likely Twisted Choppers will have what you need.

Jason Kangas

Kai Morrison


You may have seen the guys of Twisted Choppers on the Discovery and Speed Channels. They've been in a Michael Lichter documentary, on V Twin TV, and the Travel Channel. Their work has also been featured in several motorcycle publications in the US, Europe, and Japan. They thought it was a rush to see their work in Easyriders, Chopper Build, 100% Biker, Biker, and The Horse, to name just a few of the many they have been in. Mr. X Games, Shawn Palmer, even bought one of their bikes a few years back.



Rat style bikes are among their favorites. "The sole purpose of the bike is to have fun and ride the hell out of it. It's nice not having to worry about fancy paint jobs and a lot of chrome. Polishing and cleaning takes time away from riding." says Kai.


Mudshovel

Rat Chopper

Insane Pan



The guys at Twisted Choppers don't have any one builder that they admire or get inspiration from. They are into various styles and seeing new stuff really helps them get their creative juices flowing for the next chopper idea and build. Other builders have stopped into their Sioux Falls shop to help out and Kai has helped in other shops while on vacations, including a shop in Puerto Rico. These guys are so devoted to what they do that finding time for those vacations doesn't come often. They do get to ride in what they believe is the best place to ride in the United States, the Black Hills.


In the next year they will be displaying in various shows and if you make it to Sturgis 2008 you will find them at the Full Throttle Saloon. Make sure you look for them there. You will not be disappointed. They have some wicked rides and they are a really down to earth group of guys. Twisted Choppers strives to be different or unique and they provide high quality American made parts at affordable prices.

I would like to thank the guys at Twisted Choppers for taking the time to answer my questions for this story. Make sure you check out their website. http://www.twistedchoppers.com/index.asp

All pictures were taken from the Twisted Choppers website.

2008 Capital City Customs Swap Meet & Show

The 4-H Hall at the Iowa State Fairgrounds was packed with bikers enjoying the sites of the 2008 Capital City Customs Swap Meet & Show. Upon arrival at the venue I couldn't believe the line of people waiting to get in. There was excitement on their faces even though there was that February chill in the air. When you entered the hall you were hit with the sites and sounds of a full blown bike show. There were vendors, dealers, custom bikes, babes, beers, and food. It was like a mini rally of sorts minus a band. You could feel the energy of the attendies as you pushed your way through the aisles.

The first booth that caught my eye was the TwisteD Choppers booth. This group of builders were from Sioux Falls, SD. These cool looking tattooed builders had some wicked looking rides.





I immediately was drawn to this rusty chopper. I love bikes that are raw...they have such character. One of the spokesmen from TwisteD Choppers told me that when they want to give the bike a boost of color they take it outside and let it sit in the rain for a day or two. I thought that was so awesome! I would have to say of all the chopper dealers that were at the show, TwisteD Choppers had some of the coolest bikes there.

Another builder that caught my eye was Z Co. Their style reminded me a lot of Exile Cycles with the industrial look of their bikes.


I can't imagine sitting on this seat on a long run but it really is wicked looking.

I headed on over to the area where the bike show entries were. Below are the rides that caught my eye.









There were a number of motorcycle clubs present at the event selling their support gear and socializing with the crowd of event goers. I had to laugh at how far away they put the Iron Warriors from the 1%ers.


I headed past the Outlaw bikers to the swap meet. If you were looking for a part for your scoot there were boxes and boxes of items to look through.



What bike event wouldn't be complete without a few biker babes showing their stuff. I got a couple pictures of the girls for you guys out there that follow my blog. I apologize for not taking too much time in getting anything good since it's not really an area of interest for me. LOL!



This was definately a welcome event for a bitterly cold February day. I was on motorcycle overload the entire time I was there. I marveled at all of the people in attendance. It's great to be around so many like minded people who are enjoying a great event like this Swap Meet and Customs Show.





We need more events such as this in Iowa because it was proven today...Iowans love their motorcycles and there are a heck of a lot of bikers in Iowa!

Spring is almost here!!! I'm sooooooo ready!

:)
IHG