In just 10 days visitors to the Hawaiian Chopper Winterfest will be held at Honolulu's Kapiolani Community College, and history will be made when those coming out to the show cast their vote and decide who is the best builder in the Pacific Rim. Is it going to be Big Mike of BMC Choppers, or maybe Japan's Norio Akai? Your guess is as good as mine, but I'm putting my X on??? I'm not telling until I get the chance to examine each builder's creation.
In order to prepare you for the competition, I thought I would take a moment to introduce the two builders who have busted their asses to build their version of the "Coolest Custom Chop in the World".
"BIG MIKE" ROUSE OF BMC CHOPPERS - BEND, OREGON, USA"
Ironhorses, Titans, Big Bears and Big Dogs… The list of custom manufacturers is ever growing these days, and one company is making a big statement with their old style chopper designs, mid-sized engines, and manageable tires. Oh, and did I mention, at a price that even I can afford. Santa Cruz California’s "Big Mike" Rouse has been shaking the custom motorcycle world with his blend of old school style and new age technology, and its something that people have taken notice of with their wallets.
Building over 700 bikes a year, Big Mike has made a serious impact on the industry. Featured on Speed Channel’s “Corbin’s Right-On”, Discovery Channel’s “Biker Build-Off” with Cole Foster, and many of the countries top magazines, Big Mike is keeping the culture together when too much TV seems to be killing the it. Today, as it was 50 years ago, motorcycles are a tribute to freedom. With a huge demand for his bikes, which shows no signs of slowing down, Big Mike recently opened a new state of the art manufacturing facility in Bend, Oregon. If his build off bike is any indication, BMC Choppers is going to shake up the motorcycle industry. Wait till you see what he's done this time...
"NORIO AKAI OF PHOENIX CUSTOMS - KYOTO, JAPAN"
26 year old Norio Akai has been around custom motorcycles for as far back as he can remember. “There were always about 10 bikes at home to play with," he said. Given a moped by his father when he was 15, Norio's father was surprised and impressed when the younger Akai rebuilt it. "I Can still remember how excited I was." The son of Gem Corporation owner Kiyoshi Akai, Norio worked hard to prove he was a worthy motorcycle builder, and not just the son of one of Kyoto, Japan’s top motorcycle companies, so after graduating from mechanic high school, Akai worked from the bottom up as a warehouseman, instructor, assistant chief mechanic and eventually to Phoenix earned the spot as the companies top motorcycle builder.
Moving to Hawaii in May of 2006, where his father opened a new factory, Norio nearly single handedly builds close to 50 bikes a year (and people bitch about building a bike in 10 days...).
"I'm very excited and honored about the opportunity to compete in Hawaiian Chopper’s upcoming Winterfest against Big Mike, but I’m kinda worried. Big Mike has a big reputation, and he makes awesome motorcycles, but Steve [at Hawaiian Chopper] said not to worry, just build something I like, so that is what I've done,” he said.
"THE EVENT" After this year’s Toys-for-Tots ride, join Hawaiian Chopper for the first truly international bike build-off featuring the USA's Big Mike and Norio Akai of Japan. This should be one crazy adventure, and these guys are looking for your vote! Oh, and when you are finished voting, be sure to have a cold beer, some ono (deliciously) food, and do some shopping at over 40 local and national vendors. After you've dropped off your new unwrapped toy to the Marine Corps Reserves for this year's Toys for Tots charity, and you've given Santa your list of cool biker presents (who knows? Biker Santa might even leave you something from Bikernet.com's online store...), take a break and enjoy the Sensually Yours Bikini Model Search, and some smooth island rhythms by Kalaeloa, Weldon Kekauoha, or Na Mele Rasta. Of course, because it's the Christmas season, Hawaiian Chopper Magazine & some of our cool sponsors will be giving away some nice prizes (including a trip for two to Vegas courtesy of Vacations-Hawaii, a VIP trip to "All American Motorcycle Madness" show in Santa Maria, California in May courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Chopper Magazine, and Horse Power Promotions, tires from Avon Tyres, and other great giveaways...).
And what would a motorcycle rally be without some of the coolest builders on the planet??? Come hang out with Two-time Biker Build-Off Champion Chica, legendary chopper builder Mondo Porras, Cole Foster, Todd Silicato, El Pitts, The Count & Shannon Aikau of Counts Customs, and of course, Big Mike & Norio Akai. Shit, we event brought their bikes on Pasha Hawaii's 580' ship, the Jean Anne. Now are you convinced that this is gonna be INSANE!?
After this year's toy parade, make sure you get your ticket for the biggest bike event of the year. At just $15.00 per ticket in advance (or $20.00 at the door), you can't go wrong.
