I found this more than interesting, even after 2 hours. The part about being in the zone, akin to meditation, and not being conscious of what he was doing seemed a fitting tribute for his body of work/art. He was just the brush. Very Zen. To me anyway.
In 1961 I turned 18. Had a good job and a nice car. I wanted a motorcycle. I went to see Bud Eakins Triumph motorcycle dealership (Sherman Oaks, CA). Bud showed me what he had in used motorcycles. None to my liking. Bud knew I wanted to buy and had cash in hand. He asked me to come with him to his shop in the back. He introduced me to Von Dutch. I had no clue who Von Dutch was. My first impression he was just an unkempt young man. Bud explained to me that Dutch would build a Triumph chopper to my liking. I told him no chopper but a custom Triumph would do. He took my deposit. Over the next two weeks I would visit Dutch after normal work hours. He would still work late into the night retiring to his home which was a shipping container behind Bud's shop. He took 3 or 4 boxes of parts and a 500 cc engine and built a beautiful custom Triumph. The small tank and rigid frame he painted a pearl white with metallic purple scallops on the tank. Came on a Saturday to pick up the bike and was not happy. Dutch had decided to engrave on my primary cover, using a very small wood chisel, a flower pattern like you would see on a firearm. Bud changed the cover for me to a polished one. After that Dutch would not talk to or acknowledge me. Wished I would have kept the primary ($$$). There are a lot of stories out there floating around about Von Dutch. After getting to know him a little I believe they are mostly true. Ron
Jimbo now the rest of the story. After 13 years being married I just could not handle it any more. I left on my Norton one night after getting a meat fork throw at me. I came back two days later my clothes given to the Goodwill my trophies in the trash and the only thing I really wanted was my photo album with pictures of all the cars and motorcycles I owned burned in the fireplace. The only picture I have is after my best friend Gary crashed it as I was letting him use it to go to work. It is not a photo of the bike but partially in the foreground you can only see the tank and the bent front end as soon as I find I will post it. Ron
Jimbo, I finally found the picture. I wish I had a picture of the whole bike to show you but this is the best I have. For the early 60's this bike was really hot and attracted a lot of attention. Take care. Ron
The Jalopy Journal
