WHAT SORT OF MAN READS MC ART?

A hands on man. The sort of man who's in touch with his machine. The kind of guy who knows where to find MotorCycle entertainment that's totally in tune with his own interests and tastes.
Foreground photo of Loose Bruce adjusting Earring Mike's chopper courtesy of Kerry Crist.

More Earring Mike

In the Blue Velvet post, I mentioned that Kerry Crist had sent me some old photos from the South Bay scene. First off, more of Earring Mike and his Sano Shovel.

This profile shot shows off how the bike sits. That's one beautiful springer.


What a Jewel! It bears repeating just how nice the details and metal work is on this machine.


This is truly Engine Art. The big chromed out SU carb is beautiful. I find it interesting how the early cam cover looks high tech when anodized gold. I really like this (the original version), of the winged gas tank. Paint by Bruce Parrish.


A bit of frame stretch can really keep a bike low. From left to right, Gary from the Dairy, Mike, and Big Roy.

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Earring Mike's South Bay Chopper, or Ask and You Shall Receive?

I said I'd like to see more of the bike, so I get a call from Joe Hurst saying, "you asked for it".


Mike still has his bike and as you can see, not only is it almost unchanged, but it also looks fresh as ever. The beautiful forks deserve a double take as they are narrowed and extended Harley (by Mike), with Dick Allen rockers.


While not having all of the exact same styling cues, the look and stance is definitely South Bay. The Sportster headlight, Hunt magneto, 12 spoke mags, and D.A. rockers do add to the recipe. Go back and look at Joe's White Bear, Foots bike, or Bruce's Funny bike, and you'll see it was all in the family of friends.


Compare this shot with the one in the last post and it drives home how, other than the paint and the plug wires, nothing has changed!


While repainted, the tank retains the Ride to Live and Wings theme. The frame is fantastic. Note the seat area. It's been stretched, raked, and molded with metal before chroming. The sissy bar doesn't have the normal South Bay Swoop, but instead has an almost invisible fender following support bar. The oil tank reminded me of the Funny Bike's tank and it's no coincidence since it was made by Bruce's mentor, Steve Davis.

My thanks go out to Mike and Joe for sharing this cool ride.

More Parrish Arts

Another tank by Bruce Parrish. While compared to others he'd done, it's somewhat simple, it's one of his favorites.


It was done for Earring Mike. I'd like to see more shots of this bike. Check the belt guard and iron cross shift knob. Got to love them cargo jeans with patches.