Ivy Trosclair + Ivy 3 vs Kevin Alsop
August 28, 2006
Hey,
Well,it feels good to be pumped about a BBO and I am pumped.I thought this was the best episode so far. Please bear with me if I am a little long winded.It wasn’t so much about the motorcycles for me.It was about the people,the build,the passion involved.
Kevin Alsop is obviously a very passionate man.He started with nothing and now has a 20 million dollar business.He has done this in 10 yrs.along with his wife and the people who work with him.I have been criticized by some for saying that the custom thing really took off about 10 yrs. ago.It’s interesting that the more builders I get to know,the more I am sure of that opinion.There have been folks doing custom work since the 40’s and 50’s.People like Arlen Ness,Dave Perewitz,Mondo,Ron Finch,and a few others were building and customizing earlier but,the thing really exploded in the 90’s.Kevin set up shop in 1996.Roger Bourget,Eddie Trotta,Paul Yaffe,Mike Pugliese,Rick Fairless,Billy Lane,Big Dog,and a bunch of others all broke out about the same time.I think Larry(rip) and Jesse also began in that time frame.The same for the suppliers(Corbin,J+P, and many others) I rest my case.
I thoght Kevin was a cool guy .It was a good feeling to see him involed in every phase of his build.Big Bear makes everything from frame to Handlebars themselves.They have cnc machines and equiptment worth over 1 1/2 million dollars.They earned every penny as they started with nothing.It’s another Horatio Alger story in the motorcycle industry.Kevin went from outlaw to manufacturer almost overnite.He is a perfectionist and wants everything made in his shop to reflect his pride.He is an Australian who is now a proud American and isn’t shy about it.He builds American customs,period.This motorcycle was an interesting machine even if it wasn’t exactly my taste.I’m not a chooper guy but,you all know that.I do however,appreciate the way the motorcycle was thought out,constructed,and the attention to detail both mechanically and cosmetically.I thought it was enviable that Kevin dedicated the build to the daughter of his best friend and employee who passed.I thought that it was very cool that Kevin then gave the motorcycle to his friend.The man has been with him from the beginning.
I really like Ivy Trosclair.I love that New Orleans twang and his dedication to what he does.I also admire the fact that he is so positive after having endured hurricane Katrina which took his home,his shop,his wife,and would have crushed a lesser man.Ivy was building and selling $100,000 motorcycles and then there was nothing.I don’t know of too many people with the guts to keep going in such a positive fashion.Ivy was a custom painter of cars before he started building motorcycles.It sounds familiar as that’s how Arlen,Dave Perewitz,Joe Martin and others started out.
I was impressed that Ivy was right there and involved in the entire build.His son Ivy 3 rubbed me the wrong way at times but,there is no denying that he is very talented.He did most of the fab and did an amazing job seeing as the shop was almost totally destroyed.They had no equiptment and such a short time to make the build.The Trosclair’s and Trevelen both had to make their motorcycles with a lot less than some of the builders.Ivy’s crew was very small and he and junior built a kick ass motorcycle.The engine was made by Kendall(who else?).It was a 125 which has some kick to it.This motorcycle was also a chopper but,I really appreciate the talent,work,creativity,and heart that went into it.I think the Trosclair’s of Metry should stand tall.They did experience some trouble with the suicide shift cable but were able to fix it twice along the road to Daytona.They went by the rules and what the hell?. A faulty clutch cable is not exactly a design flaw but,you can’t run without one.
I really enjoyed this episode for the reason I have stated.I enjoyed both men,the skills they have,the passion they have,the sportsmanship,the competition.I think both of these men are a credit to our industry and people who represent the art the way it should be done.
The winner was Kevin Alsop of Big Bear Choppers.Second place went to Ivy Trosclair and Ivy 3 of Metry.What did you think?
Over Easy-Beach
I Thought it was an awesome episode, Ive always wanted to see Kevin on a build-off and tonight i think we all saw why he deserved to be on a build-off, I Garuntee that wont be the last of the kick-ass athena’s that come out of Big Bears digs,
Trosclair surprised me and built a great looking bike, However i thought the color was horrid, In My Opinion the paint on a bike makes or breaks and i think it was a bad choice of a color for Ivy,
Overall it was a great show and In My Opinion the best of the batch so far,
Keep It Up Hugh!.
Hi Travis,
Thanks for writing.I agree with your thoughts.As I said,I also thought this was the best episode so far in 06.Keep commenting.Welcome to the beachcruiser.
It was a good build. The match up was great. Both men seem to be awsome builders. Kevin’s paint was done very well. I liked Ivy’s paint job. We have to remimber tv only shows us so much. As you well know Beach from just getting it to work here. I don’t really know which I’d vote for. I think for this build I would have wanted to be there to give a vote. They were both awsome builds. I really did like them both. Kevin has done very well and I wish Ivy all the luck in rebuilding his buisness and his town.
I was not really into either one of the bikes, they were nice looking, just not my style. Did enjoy the show though. One thing I have to say is that in this time of Katrina everything (with the one year anniversary of the Hurricane) it is good to see something on TV about a couple of guys with a motorcycle shop, that lost everything, getting their lives back to normal anyway THEY can.
Kudos to Ivy, his son, and the guys that work for him for building a hell of a bike with the resources they have.
(I realize this may not be the exact forum for this but anyway this is what I got out of it). It is just refreshing to see this instead of all the crap you see from the New Orleans folks about what are you going to do for me now - it’s been a year I have nothing but I am not doing or willing to do anything for myself - I am a victim - gimmie, gimmie, gimmie.
I don’t reckon I will go into that bit any further, just pisses me off, and yes I know it is a bit off topic. Again it is just good to see some guys getting on with it the best way they can, and taking it in stride.
Kevin, what a personality there, reckon it would cool to hang out with him for a bit.
Great show. Stepping down off of my soap box now.
Take Care - Ride FREE
Hersey
http://www.chopperstickers.com/
Hey Hersey,
Nothing wrong with an opinion.We all have em.We encourage people to express themselves here.That’s what we’re all about.
No comment on the people in New Orleans.I have heard and read some heroic stories and some not so heroic.I think what the Trosclairs did and their attitude is what the big easy is all about.I admire their skill and spunk in a time when they could have just quit.I know you are into old school as I am into that and pro-street.Different opinions make the world go round.I think we all recognize skill and passion and we got a good dose of that last night.I felt the chemistry and the guys doing the builds were what bbo is, at it’s best.A refreshing break from what we had witnessed up until now
Gotta side with Hersey on this episode, and the bikes. These two bikes did very little for me although some of the metal work and paint on the Big Bear was pretty good. Not great but good. He also does seem like a nice guy and you are correct in pointing out all the hard work he’s put into building up his business. Does seem loyal too which is admirable. They ( Big Bear ) are proof that advertising works because for the life of me I don’t get it? Good basic bikes. I will say that I thought last weeks episode with the dirt bike guys was one of the most entertaining shows yet. Broke new ground and was just plain fun to watch. I thought this week was totally uninspiring and I can’t remember one thing about the bike from New Orleans. Glad to see they got a break though which is kool!!! p.s. one of my buddys just order a Big Bear 300 pro street no doubt with a twin cam, so what do I know. Maybe I should have sucked up to Hugh King more. Garage Goons for life!!! C.F.L
BBO definately rebounded this week. these bikes were neck and neck and I thought Ivy might pull it off. It showed me what a guy can do with little resources available. Kevin obviously had the tools and machines but he didn’t bring a big ego like we saw last week. Kevin and Ivy didn’t give a shit about t.v. they focused on what the show is really about. The only thing I didn’t care to see was Hugh King! Was he wearing a suit in the cemetary seen? He hugged Kevin after the win? I give this episode a 9 out of 10.
I was drinking during the episode and couldn’t find the remote so I was forced to watch OCC after the build off.
sounds like they will have a production bike in dealerships shortly? I wonder how it will do and what the price will be. I’ve seen thunder mountain bikes,von dutch and ironhorse bikes around at the local dealerships and these bikes never sold. They were good looking rides. Prices ranged from high 20’s up to a few hitting the low 40’s. Wonder if the OCC name will promote sales? I think the popularity peak has come and gone. One thing’s for sure, we will find out if they are dependable, reliable bikes or just another trailer queen that we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing for the past 3yrs.
P.S. Looking forward to next week’s build off don’t know who’s involved but this week put us back on track for sure.
Hi Rider,
Nice to see you.It seems that most people felt the way you do,myself included.I also hope the season stays at a high level.I am really looking forward to Hotch vs Goldammer and Gypsy vs Kim Suter.I am hoping for a few other positive surprises.We’ll see.
The suit Hugh was wearing was an undertakers outfit.I am pretty sure that’s what it was.They staged that part in a cemetary but,who knows what he is thinking?I guess he needs the exposure now.It’s really kind of ridiculous.
I purposely don’t say much about OCC.I did think it was dishonest of them to portray what they “built” as doing it live.They had made that motorcycle in their shop and just put it together in front of those people.They conned the crowd by telling them they would have input into what frame they would use,what parts, etc.The bike was already built.To compare what they did to Blood Sweat and Gears is ludicrous.They even disclosed their con job on the episode so,to me,it was the epitomy of arrogance.I don’t know what others thought.They did give it away which was cool but,I don’t know what was in it for them.
I am still getting hate mail from someone who uses occ as part of their identity so,it’s just another reason to forget about these people.Then there was the band.I won’t even comment on that.
Amen Beach no comparison to Blood, Sweat, and Gears. American Chopper has grown into an embarrassment of a TV show. I feel I should comment that despite my opinion of the Big Bear vs. Ivy Biker Build off my friend took delivery on his new BB 9 ft long, low slung pro street “The Sled 300 series” today. I gotta admit it is VERY KOOL!!! So props to them on a very nice bike. Not sure of the model name but it is well made, and looks great. A Real head turner!!!