When it comes to chopper shows, there are a some things that will never go out of fashion: sissy bars, flames, chrome, tattoos, live music and cold beer. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. For a sub-culture that started in the 60s, it’s safe to say the chopper scene is still alive and kicking. We took a time capsule back to 1969 and spent the weekend drooling over some of Australia’s most incredible custom builds and celebrating the love of choppers, all while enjoying a crisp beer in the sun and jamming to an array of bands – some of us even got some fresh ink.
The 2nd annual Still Lovin’ Chopper Show is a local Sydney-based event run by Choppageddon. For a name that references the prophesied location of the biblical battle against good and evil – but with choppers – the event did not disappoint. Featuring 30 of the most wild builds in Australia, you could see that some of these creations certainly went to the dark side with patina-covered engine cases and weathered tanks.
Others kept it light, plated head-to-toe in chrome, peachy colours, and glistening metallic flakes. It was certainly a battle for the ages, with the winners being declared by judges, sponsors, and visitors alike. Cristian Sosa from Sosa Metalworks in Las Vegas ventured to the land down under to guest judge the event, awarding the Builders Choice award and giving his own stamp of approval on the most intricate of fabrications.
While it was hard to place a favourite, we set our sights on ‘The Heart Murmur’, a 1960’s FL Panhead built by owner Ehren and Nathan “Woodsy” Wood, from Wood’s Kustom Metalwork. “I’d been collecting parts for it for ages,” Ehren told us. “It’s a 1960 FL Panhead with a ratchet top 4 speed, 16” rear and 21 up front. The old BSA tank that’s been chopped and had a speedo slotted in that was off my old Triumph. There’s so much work that went into that – Woodsy killed it!”
“The headlight and lenses for the tail lights I picked up at a swapmeet in the bush. The seat was made by Ya Seat in Thailand. I made a template out of cardboard and drew measurements all over it and sent it to them. They sent it over a couple weeks later and it was better than I’d expected. There’s a few bits that were bought new for the bike but mostly parts have been made or at least customised.”
It’s no surprise that this build made our hearts skip a beat. It didn’t just catch our eyes though: it also took out two awards including the “Best Pan Head” in show – a pretty big title considering the number of Pan Heads on display. It was also given the SKRAM Eyewear award, which saw owner Ehren walk away with a plaque for his bike and a pair of sunnies for himself.
If this truly was Armageddon, then Judgement Day will be soon upon us, so don’t miss your chance to take a look for yourself at all the intricate work that was put out for chopper lovers to see, and tell us: which bike would you have awarded the winner of Best in Show to?
