Love Ride 31: CIA Bike Show Results

I flew into LAX late Thursday night and was picked up by my partner Bob Kay.

By Jeff Najar, Biker Pros Partner

Saturday we rolled into Castaic Lake at 6AM to get ready for the Love Ride 31. Biker Pros got the nod from Oliver Shokouh, owner of Harley-Davidson of Glendale to deliver the Peter Fonda Love Ride Custom Bike Show by Customization in America (CIA).

What a treat to be at this event and an honor to be refereed by Bill Davidson.

This year Love Ride 31 was held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 with longer hours at Castaic Lake. Riders, drivers and families from all over Southern California and the Southwest attended the all-day music festival. Activities included a motorcycle stunt show, food trucks, vendors, beer garden, Hot Rods and more.

Buckcherry [buckcherry.com] and The Door’s Robby Krieger with his Jam Kitchen [robbykriegersjamkitchen.com] played during the day-long concert. Buckcherry played a set spanning their career, including songs from their brand new EP, “F#CK.”

The bikes that rolled into the bike show were outstanding. Sam Baldi rolled out 3 bikes and two of his sleds took home the gold. Gino Ilacqua brought out his chopper that he built in his garage. Quentin Gutierrez won People’s Choice award with a twisted frame Knucklehead bobber. Bandit brought out his cool Peashooter, a tasty little 490cc built for racing on the Salt.

At the end of the day 7 builders and custom bike owners came away with a win. The bikes that rolled in were outstanding. Sam Baldi rolled out 3 bikes and two of his sleds took home the gold. Gino Ilacqua brought out his chopper that he built in his garage. Quentin Gutierrez won People’s Choice award with a twisted frame. Bandit brought out his cool Peashooter, a tasty little 490cc single that was built for racing on the Salt.

Customization of America (CIA) Winners

Freestyle – One-off, ground-up built custom bikes, on all or any chassis platforms or drivetrains. Must run and stop.

• CIA Winner – Sam Baldi – 2013 Lost Angel
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a Biker’s Choice gift certificate.

Custom Big Twin – Must be based off a Harley Davidson Softail, Dyna or FXR frame. the neck may be cut to rake the frame. Hardtail sections and wide tire kits are allowed.

• CIA Winner – Marty Seagrave – 1992 Softail
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a Shadetree Fabrications’ Gift Certificate

Custom Sportster / V-Rod – Must be based off a Harley Davidson Sportster or V-Rod frame. The neck may be cut to rake the frame. Hardtail sections and wide tire/swingarm kits are allowed.

• CIA Winner – Troy Letwak – 2005 V-Rod
• Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a 5 Ball Racing Leathers’ Special Ops Vest

Custom Bagger – Must be based off a touring frame. The neck may be cut for the purpose of raking or stretching the frame. Drop seat tail sections and wide tire/swingarm kits are allowed.

• CIA Winner – Ossie – 2011 FLHTK
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a Ridewright Wheels Gift Certificate

Custom Retro – Any modified bike with a manufactured pre-1984 engine.

• CIA Winner – Lionzo Perry -1941 Knucklehead
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a Chop Docs Choppers Gift Certificate

Ladies Custom – Any bike, any make owned and ridden by woman

• CIA Winner – Diandra Baldi – 2010 Custom Pro Street
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a 5 Ball Racing Leathers’ Bonnie Jacket

People’s Choice – The bike that receives the most votes from the attendees

• CIA Winner – Quentin Gutierrez -Twisted frame with 1940 Knucklehead bobber
• Awards – Tour of Jay Leno Garage, Letter of congratulations from Peter Fonda and a 5 Ball Racing Leathers’ Special Ops Vest

Love Ride 31 – For The Kids
Net proceeds from this year’s event will support children served by MDA living in Southern California and help them attend a weeklong, barrier-free summer camp in the area. MDA summer camp offers a wide range of activities specially designed for youngsters who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. Each year, campers have an unmatched opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, share interests and build self-confidence.

About the Love Ride
Billed as “The largest one-day motorcycle fundraising event in the world!,” the “Love Ride” was first organized back in 1983 to raise money for “Jerry’s Kids,” the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The concept was simple… take a 50-mile star-studded motorcycle ride that culminates at a public concert and barbecue at Castaic Lake.

Celebrities taking part in the Love Rides have included Bruce Springsteen, Dwight Yoakam, and Gunner Nelson (of “Nelson”); actors Lorenzo Lamas, Kirstie Allie, Pamela Anderson Lee, Charlie Sheen, Ann-Margret and Judd Nelson to name a few.

The 2014 Love Ride attracts over 20,000 motorcycles. To date the ride has generated over $20 million which has been donated to try and help solve Muscular Dystrophy and has gone to the USO and other charities.

Once again, Jay Leno  returned as Grand Marshal, joined by stars Peter Fonda (“Easy Rider”) and Robert Patrick “Terminator 2”. It’s a kick to see Leno as well as Emilio Rivera, who plays  Marcus Alvarez on SOA.

We wrapped the Saturday night Bike Show and headed back to Bikernet HQ. After unloading the Bonneville racers, Bob, Bandit and I stopped in at the Chowder Barge for dinner. It’s located on an actual barge at the Leeward Bay Marina, 611 N Henry Ford Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744. The barge was built in 1934 as a support vessel for “Mutiny On The Bounty”.

The restaurant is run by the Karate ass-kicker Nyla. She always has interesting stories. Like, her grandfather was based on the cartoon Popeye the Sailor Man. It was created by Elzie Crisler Segar.