photographer: K. Loken
It's just been announced that world-famous bad boy builder Jesse James'latest creation, a shimmering aluminum-shod motorcycle and sidecar combo (made for client Airstream - yes, the trailer people), will make its debut at the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours event on May 3rd.
The way-out custom was recently seen in Forbes magazine, which reported that James and his crew machined, riveted and hammered 18-gauge steel and aluminum for the build, using some of the same construction techniques Airstream employs in its luxury trailers.
It won't be the first time the West Coast Choppers founder, "Monster Garage" host, and Baja 1000 competitor has chosen to unveil a bike at The Legend of the Motorcycle show. At the inaugural Concours in 2006, James debuted his Radial Hell aero bike powered by a 7-cylinder Rotec radial aircraft engine (seen here) to an appreciative crowd.
Other legendary custom builders displaying bikes at this year's Legend of the Motorcycle include Japanese minimalist master Shinya Kimura, Choppers Inc. founder Billy Lane and Brooklyn's Paul Cox. Last year Cox and partner Keino, in addition to displaying two bikes by late friend, business partner and legend Indian Larry, debuted When Push Comes to Shove - a bike the pair built for client Brad Pitt - whose intricate and painstakingly detailed metal engraving was something typically only seen on handmade European shotguns. All three builders plan to unveil new creations at the May event in Half Moon Bay, California as well.
The third annual Legend of the Motorcycle, including the Bonhams & Butterfields auction of motorcycles from the Mike Corbin Collection, takes place the first weekend in May, on the lawns of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco. Additional information can be found on the official website: http://LegendoftheMotorcycle.com