Awe...Mondays - Steel Horses IV The Final Chapter

 2017 Bikes Blues & BBQ

Fayetteville, AR

Awe...some Mondays - Steel Horses III

2017 Bikes, Blues & BBQ

  Anybody who knows me or has seen much of my photography knows that I like to fill the frame with details, especially when it come to mechanical things like cars and motor cycles. This year is no different, so here is Bikes, Blues & BBQ up close and personal.

 Some of the best details are found on the rides in the parking lot. Who can resist old school pin stripes. When I was a teen, I used to practice trying to do pin striping. I was never this good.

 There are few things more impressive than a sparkling clean motorcycle engine. Everything is out there for you to see. They are just beautiful.

 Of course, the tank is where the real art is displayed on most bikes. I like everything about this work. I is clean, simple and complex, all at the same time.

 Some bikes are outfitted with fiberglass saddle bags and they have been given the name "Baggers" by the biker community. This is an enlarged canvas for the painter to do his/her work. This is one of the best flame jobs I have ever seen.

 Some of the metal work on these examples for rolling art are more creative than the paint jobs. This is an outstanding example. The location of those exhaust pipes will keep your buns warm on a cold winter night.

 One of my favorite displays was a VW based rat rod. Yes, that is a VW hood, and the motor in the back comes from a bug also. I'm not sure how many other parts are beetle inspired but this was definitely a unique ride. Yes, this is a car and not a bike. You may see more of this in a different post. Have a blessed week.

Ruby Tuesday Too - Steel Horses II

 I have to admit that I have never ridden a motorcycle in my life...ever. I also have to admit that I am fascinated by the current variety of machines that are available.

The Bikes Blues & BBQ rally was in town recently and it is an opportunity to photograph some awesome machinery. There was plenty of Ruby Red around the community during the rally.

Awe...some Mondays - Steel Horses I

One of the nation's largest motorcycle rallys happens right here in Northwest Arkansas every September. Over 300,000 "Steel Horse" enthusiasts descend on Fayetteville, Arkansas and surrounding communities for threes days of Bikes Blues & BBQ. Needless to say, there are more photographic opportunities than I can attend, so I just pick a day and go shoot some cool bikes. Here is the first installment of what will likely be a multi-post endeavor.

The bikes and their riders come in all shapes and sizes.

The past decade has seen a rise in these three wheel cycles. This particular model is supposed to be faster, safer, and better handling than the traditional trike. Why are these so popular...well the baby boomers are getting older and holding up a traditional bike is just too much on bad knees and ankles. I could fall in love with this bike. I just had to add the text to the image.

There are several "trade shows" associated with the rally and some of the vendors bring show bikes for everyone to drool over. These bikes can be ridden, but they are really more for show and less for go. The Dixie Chopper company makes zero-turn riding lawn mowing equipment, mostly for industrial/commercial use.

Anybody who knows me, knows I like the details and those can be found in the parking lot. I don't even have a photo of the full bike, just the front and rear fenders with this classic pen stripe work. I love this stuff. Okay, that's enough for today. Stay tuned, I'll be posting more in the near future.