Over the next few months we’re going to be highlighting and supporting our favorite custom motorcycle shows—the truly inspirational ones that celebrate the best bike builders. And if you live on the east coast of the USA, you’re in luck: this weekend sees the return of the famed Brooklyn Invitational.
The Brooklyn approach is refreshingly simple and straight up: the best bikes from the best builders. It’s billed as “A motorcycle, photography and music showcase, where denim- and leather-clad bikers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with hipsters and artists.”
Unlike most shows, there are no trophies to be won. Builders appear by invitation only, so it’s not a question of who has enough money to set up a stall.
The doors are only open for eleven hours, but ‘the Invitational’ always draws a big crowd. This year, the bonuses include an exhibition of James Stone portraits from earlier shows, and no less than four bands—kicking off at 6pm.
The list of bikes for the 2015 event is mouth-watering. Revival Cycles will be showing their amazing Ducati J63, and show organizer Keino Sasaki will reveal his Yard Built Yamaha XJR1300, back from its European tour.
Go Takamine of Bratstyle is dropping off an exquisite custom Indian, and Bryan Fuller will be wheeling in his Norton.
You’ll also be able to examine builds from industry headliners like Uwe Ehinger, Tim Harney, Shinya Kimura, Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles, Roland Sands and Walt Siegl. There’s a bar for refreshments, and a few handpicked vendors will be also attending—such as the high-end moto apparel brand Pagnol.
Tickets are a bargain at just ten bucks—the cost of a couple of beers in New York. And if you want to start partying a little earlier, head over to the Black Bear bar round the corner in Brooklyn on Friday night, where Dice Magazine and the Harley-Davidson Museum will be hosting a pre-show party.
See you there?
The Brooklyn Invitational Custom Motorcycle Show | 1pm to 12am, Saturday 19 September, 2015 | Root Studios, 131 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NY11211
Tickets | Facebook | Instagram
Images of last year’s show © Ryan Handt.
