A ONE-OF-A-KIND SHOW IN PORTLAND, OREGON

Hosted at Zidell Yards on the South Waterfront along the Willamette River, the 16th annual show kicked off May 2nd through 4th and brought a crowd from all over the US. Truly a unique venue, there were hundreds of custom bikes and cars, live music and artwork, and activities throughout the massive industrial building with warm, moody lighting and a constant buzz of chatter amongst enthusiasts there for a good time.  

Whether you flew, rode, drove, or checked it out as a local, the energy and the massive turnout brought it all together. It’s a gathering of various bike cultures with unique builds that reflected each one. Everyone came together to celebrate the same passion for two wheels.  

Now, I’ve had the opportunity to experience quite a few shows and ride quite a few roads in my motorcycle adventures over the years, but this place felt different. Talking with builders about their stories piecing together their soulful machines, witnessing families forging core memories together, watching artists practice their craft, and enjoying the rare but welcomed sunny weekend in Portland made for a memorable experience. The coffee, drinks, and good eats didn’t disappoint either!  

I'm no builder myself, but I thoroughly enjoy capturing bikes and their stories on camera—and no two bikes were alike. From the custom paint to one-off parts, intricate engravings, and a genuine sense of personal style, there were a handful of machines that caught my eye and called for a few extra photographs.  

HERB ANDERSON’S 1992 SPORTSTER 

A beautiful, seamless build. The first thing that stood out to me was the front end of the bike. The combination of the springer forks, amber headlight, and unique handlebars with no controls but an internal throttle all came together for a clean old-school look that rendered some of my favorite photographs from the show.