BF5 Tattoo

Spotted this in Japan last week! Done by the fine folks at Sid's Tattoo in Santa Ana at Born-Free 5.

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Domenic and Dylan Mingerulli

Better late than never! We are still very proud to bring you a great story about a father and son and they bikes they built for Born-Free 5! Dylan was our youngest builder at 19 and was already building a follow up bike to his rigid show winning '65 Panhead. Domenic is one of the nicest guys you'll meet and one of the best mechanics around, not to mention he builds a sanitary machine!
Anyway, enjoy.


Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Domenic and Dylan Mingerulli from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow's Pre Parties!

This afternoon is the Cutrate open house and Lowside Magazine party in downtown Long Beach. This evening at Alex's Bar in Long Beach is the Dice Magazine party with bands.

Tomorrow is the Show Class People's Champ party at Cook's Corner near the Born-Free show site. Lots of bikes and bands.

Enjoy!
 

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Duane Ballard

Duane Ballard has been kickin bikes and stitchin leather for years and is certainly known for his fine leather work and his crazy and clean Japanese digger style bikes! Well, He just finished a nice Kawasaki that might be the best yet and he did it for Born-Free 5! We are pleased to have Duane as an invited builder this year because he lives, eats, and breathes motorcycles ...which is what Born-Free is all about!
Come see Duane's and the rest fo our invited builder bikes this saturday!



Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Duane Ballard from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Mike Pilaczynski of Old STF

Mike Pilaczynski from Yuba City, California and his shop Old STF is a new face to the Invited Builders at the Born-Free Vintage Chopper and Classic Cycles Show this year. Mike is well steeped in vintage Harley-Davidsons thanks to the Elder Pilczynski who has been passing knowledge to his son since he was born.
We pursued Mike as an invited builder after seeing his new swingarm panhead build online and then in the Show Class Magazine/Born-Free "People's Champ" competition. Somewhere Mike didn't make it through a stage of their online voting, but we know a good thing when we see one and gave Mike a call.
Come see Mike's finished bike June 29, 2013 at Born-Free 5 and don't forget, you could take home Mike's panhead or your choice of one 17 other amazing custom motorcycles! Buy your poster with FREE ticket to win in person at the show!!!


Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Mike Pilaczynski from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Max Schaaf

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy this simple video from Max Schaaf of 4Q Conditioning. Max has been with us since the beginning and never disappoints and this year you could take home his Invited Builder bike for only $25!! Probably a lot of your biggest dream...it can happen at the show, June 29th.

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Max Schaaf of 4Q Conditioning from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Kiyo

We couldn't be happier to present to you our invited builder on Kiyo. Kiyo is everything you think you know or don't know about the Japanese work ethic and style. He's a talented fabricator, welder, mechanic, racer, rider, and is an all around nice guy. He was also the hands behind the 1946 Knuckle and 1969 Shovelhead chopper we gave away  at Born-Free 3 and 4.
This year he is building a crazy drag/land speed race style, turbo charged Honda CB750! In true Kiyo fashion, he has fabricated most of the bike and you'll be sure it runs hard! Keep in mind that you have the chance to win his bike or your choice of 17 other of our invited builder bikes at the show, June 29, 2013. If you haven't got your poster and ticket to win, get them NOW online before online sales are cut off in 7 days!!! CLICK HERE and please enjoy and repost the video.

Video by Michael Schmidt and edited by Homer Gaijin


Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Kiyo from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Pre Born-Free party in Long Beach after the Cutrate open house

Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Len Higa of Oni Motoworks

Len Higa of Long Beach, California is not a big name in the chopper world, but what he is known for is his fabrication, racing background, and his café racers. These aren't your typical craigslist "café racers" where someone slapped clubman bars and a flat seat to a clapped out XS650, Len's bikes are actually crafted to work and much of them is made by hand, by Len. But he won't usually tell you all this, he's a pretty reserved guy that let's his work speak for him. This year he's building a neat and rare '69 Honda CB750 that will show the diversity of Born-Free and Len's talents.

For more info on Len and The Born-Free Vintage Chopper and Classic Cycle show, please visit www.bornfreeshow.com




Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Len Higa of Oni Motoworks from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Born-Free Invited Builder Series-Kouske of Sunrise Cycles

We are pleased to bring you the Born-Free 5 invited builder video for Kouske of Sunrise Cycles in Los Angeles. Kouske is building a ride-it-anywhere, made from scratch '49 panhead that you could win the day of the show! You have your pick of this and 17 other bikes from our invited builders, must be present to win! CLICK HERE to get your tickets and we'll see you June 29, 2013 at Born-Free 5!!!
Please feel free to repost the video.

Born-Free Invited Builder Series-Kouske of Sunrise Cycles from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Born-Free Invited Builder Series-Josh Conley

Without further adue we present to you the video for the pride of Chino, California...Josh Conley. Josh is building a '46 Harley Knucklehead that you could pick to own if you win at Born-Free 5 on June 29th, 2013!!! CLICK HERE to order your poster and ticket combo for your chance to win big. Free shipping!
Enjoy this video by Davey Cooperwasser and please feel free to repost!


Born-Free 5 Invited Builder Series-Josh Conley from Born-Free on Vimeo.

Loser Machine BF5 Invited Builder Feature On...

...Yaniv Evan from Power Plant. Check out the photos and feature the guys from Loser Machine did on Yaniv... CLICK HERE to read more.  

Max Schaaf BF 5 Builder

Max is back for BF 5...He has built a insane bike every year for the show and always delivers.Every bike I have seen built by Max is something I would love to own...probably like most you too.He has his own unique style with his paintwork & what he builds it's always different & always cool!! He has also built an incredible fan base over the years who digs what he does and that's a very hard thing to do!! We are very pleased he's back with us for BF5 . This year Max has agreed just like the other 17 builders that are involved in the Giveaway Promo to build a killer bike and then give one of you the opportunity to take it home at the end of the show.This is a chance of a lifetime and may never happen again.Is 25.00( You are buying a poster w/ Free ticket) too much money for the chance to win Max's build or 17 other highly talented dudes? Think about it and if you think it's worth a shot CLICK HERE   and get some...

 

39 Days To ShowTime & ....

...Your chance to win a very special Motorcycle...18 of the 32 BF5 Invite Builders and possibly the Show Class Magazine winner will have their bikes in the giveaway promo.Start thinking about what bike you would choose.The group of guys we have are so diverse in their styles and all so very talented it will be a tough decision.All of our builders are putting maximum effort into their bikes and it shows.This could be the greatest group of bikes ever built for a single show and we are very proud of them and extremely happy to offer this incredible opportunity to you. It's up to you to do the rest. We have posters and tickets available right now online from Lowbrow Customs..  CLICK HERE! 

Or we have them in select stores in Southern California. They are at TriCo in Hollywood, The Garage Company in Inglewood,Long Beach Trading/Dixie in the LBC, Classic Cycles in Orange & The Cycle Lodge in Orange. These stores have a limited number and once there gone that's all folks. Now it's up to you!!! GOOD LUCK & see you all on June 29th 2013 

Duane Ballard BF5 Builder Update

Duane sent in some progress pics of his BF5 Kawasaki Drag bike build. He is looking right on track to be done and running at BF5..stay tuned for more updates from Duane and the other builders...HE WRITES...Here it is as of this morning( LAST WEEK). I should have the head back from APE this week do I can finish the motor up and get it in the bike. Pete Hot Dog Finlan is in the middle of paint. I have no idea what he is doing except the main color and a VERY vague direction for him to do his thing. That tiny gauge from Dakota Digital is a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, oil pressure light, neutral light, turn signal indicator, etc. Im looking forward to having a gauge on one of my bikes. I like diggers but think if the originators of that style had the performance brakes, controls, etc. that are available today they would of used them also. Thanks! Duane

 

 

 

 
 

Harley Davidson & Born-Free

    This year Harley-Davidson is the Top Sponsor for Born-Free 5. We just spent a few days in beautiful Milwaukee touring the Power Train Plant,The Corporate Offices and The Museum.It's absolutely amazing to see where the motorcycles we covet so much originate from.The museum is indescribable in words you must see it for yourself to fully appreciate the history and tradition of the greatest motorcycles ever made and still being made today.

Harley's participation in this year's show has been a blessing to say the least and is letting us do even more for the show and all of you.Harley Davidson will award their new 2013 Screaming Eagle 120R motor to talented someone at Born-Free to build a bike around for BF 6. This a very special & generous award can go to anyone who attends Born-Free with a bike they have built that exemplifies the creative & artistic expression of what this show is all about.There is no ticket to buy... no rules to this promotion and is open to all...so if you are building a bike as an invited guest or one of many who are simply regular guys working on a bike in their garage's at night...you could win this motor and be part of something very special at next year's show!! This is an incredible opportunity for someone and a great honor for The Born-Free Show. Here are a few pics of the trip & the Power Train....    

 

Michael Barragan BF5 Invited Builder

Michael is back for his 2nd straight year as a BF builder.His killer gold Knucklehead from last year took 2nd place in the BF4 Builder Invite & then he took it to the Mooneyes Eyes HRCS show in Japan as an invited guest.Long, Lean & Sexy machines are what Michael has been known for and by the look of this year's build the formula is still working....and working real good!Rumor has it he is building two bikes... one for the invite and one to show in his Evil Spirit vendor booth.Michael is very excited about his build and there's some secrets he's hiding, so if you want to know... come to the show!!

NOISE CYCLES BF5 UPDATE

T-Bone is doing a little light woodworking his BF5 Panhead build...

Mike ( Old Stuff )Pilaczynski

Where to begin on Mike's BF5 Panhead build is a tough one..He has put his hands on so many things it's crazy.Here are a few highlights of what's shaping up to be a show favorite. NarrowedTanks,Narrowed Trees w/ Narrowed Nacelle,Killer2 into 1 Exhaust,Crazy Taillight in Shock,Trapeze Controls and he Cast his own Oil Tank!! All this work and Mike is putting it up for you reading this right now to win!! Support this effort and buy a poster/ w free ticket that enters you to win this bike or one of the other 17 invited builder bikes!! CLICK HERE to get your poster and ticket!