2015 DC Ultimate Builders
Washington DC in January is cold, blustery and icy. And the weather is bad too.
But inside the facilities of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center it was hot with ground-up custom Choppers to monster wheel CanAm Spyder trikes. The DC Show had a little bit of everyting. Extended wheel ‘busas, choppers, bobbers, Cafe’ racers, Baggers, Groms and even charity bkes.
A significant number of repeat builders like Gangster Choppers, C&C Cycle, Garwood Custom Cycles, and Whiskey Tango Choppers came to the competition with new builds looking to stand up on stage and host the big check. The competition was tight with just a few points determining whether you are standing on the stage or staying in your seat.
The awards ceremony kicked off on Sunday at 4PM with the Bob Wyman taking the People’s Choice award with My Journey, a 2004 Fatboy depicting a Native American Indian journey in exquisite detail from birth to death.
People’s Choice WInner
The Showdog Award is for the builder that works the show floor the hardest. There were many contenders but the crew from Garwood Custom Cycles took home The Leatherworks Inc. solo bag. They brought in multiple client bikes and had a reunion with new and old clients.
Josh from Garwood takes the Show Dog Award
FreeStyle J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
Gangster Choppers take 1st
John Dodson of Gangster Choppers took the big check with Shakedown, a 2012 Gangster Choppers custom chopper featuring a 80” Evolution, FXR tranny on a custom-built frame. The ridged features a single downtube and hi-po mil. The airbrush and the $21,000 per gallon House of Kolor paint was applied by Copperhead Graphics.
John Dodson Accepts the Big Check
- John Dodson, Gangster Choppers – Shakedown, 2013 Gangster Choppers
- Roy Chamberlin, C&C Cycles – 2008 Custom
MOD Custom J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
Ross Latimer’s Winning MOD Custom Bike
Ross Latimer rolled his sister in-law’s hardtail chopper into the competition and rolled out with the big check and the win in MOD Custom. The 2001 Sportster 1200 features a Rats Custom Hard Tail and paint and pinstripe from Ross. The “Warmer Weather” chopper was completely disassembled and paint rainbow over a cream frame.
Ross Latimer takes the win!
- Ross Latimer – Warmer Weather, 2001 Sportster
- Steve Garwood, Garwood Custom Cycles – Lucky, 2007 Street Glide
Retro MOD J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner
Earl Laurie’s Winning Panhead
John Dodson of Gangster Choppers explained to owner Earl Laurie, “we may be poor and we may be from the sticks, but we aren’t white trash.” That’s why the winning 1949 Harley-Davidson FL chopper was named Cocky instead of white trash. It features a 74” Panhead, ’49 wishbone frame, ’49 drivetrain and OEM “inline” springer. The metal finish really stands out from this build.
Earl Laurie on the Main Stage
- Earl Laurie, Gangster Choppers – Cocky, 1949 H-D FL
- Devon Eckert, Whiskey Tango Choppers – 42, 1974 CB750
The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows rolls into 11 cities across the nation. The nationwide motorcycle extravaganza has something for every powersports lifestyle. Besides the nation’s largest custom bike show, it’s the best place to experience the latest in gear, aftermarket parts and accessories. See the all-new models from major manufacturers and enjoy rider seminars at the main stage and much, much more. Produced by custombikeshows.com.
People’s Choice Winning Bike
Devon Eckert takes 2nd in Retro Mod
C&C Cycle’s Chopper – 2nd Place
2nd Place in Retro MOD
Roy takes 2nd in FreeStyle
Josh from Garwood takes 2nd in MOD Custom
Pat & Steve on stage with the Pat-ettes
Garwood Takes 2nd in MOD Custom
