Custom Bicycles Featured at the Grand Rapids Autorama January 11,12,and 13th, the Grand Rapids Autorama became the home to some of the states finest custom bicycles. Autorama shows have been the place to view the nations best hot rod cars for years, but left out the younger crowd with two wheels. Not wanting to leave out these future hot rod and custom car builders the show invited Don and Debbie Van Cleave to host a custom bicycle show. The two own a large bicycle shop, Al Petri and Sons, in the Detroit area, that caters to the custom crowd. They have hosted custom bike shows at several car shows for over 10 years. The largest being the Detroit Autorama. So they packed their truck and took up residence in Grand Rapids for this Autorama weekend. Twenty one custom, lowrider, chopper, and restored bikes shared the floor with some of the nations finest cars. Those in attendance spent as much time looking over the bicycles as they spent with the cars. It is often said bicycles are a kid thing, and these custom rides turned several adults back into kids as they stepped back, smiled, and enjoyed what they were looking at. With the help of 101.3 Fox radio, who ran a contest, a custom bicycle was won by listener Alicia Hess. But it was not as simple as just picking up a bike. She came to the show, picked her parts, and built her custom bike on stage with Don. She did well, picking parts she liked and she really knew how to handle a wrench. After about an hour she was able to ride off into the sunset on her new ride. Also donated to the Pinstripers Charity Auction was a new, retro style, rat rod bicycle. Don built the bike with design help from Relix Rat Rod Car and Motorcycle Club. The custom bike was then turned over to the pin stripers. Mad Max put the retro stripes on while Gary Glen lettered the bike. The auction brought in excess of $400 which 100% went to Rescue 1 Fire Safety for Kids. The auction was all volunteer, including artist and auction items and at show end raised over $9300.00. Look for more custom Bicycles at the Detroit Autorama, March 7, 8, and 9, and yes, we will return next year in Grand Rapids. For more info on custom bicycles you can email Don and Debbie at bicycledon@petribikes.com.
Hey Don how about those pics of me sittin on the Relix bike? It was a blast picking out the parts with you. Great choice on the striper for the bike. Just an announcement about him. Mad Max got inducted into the pinstripers hall of fame this past weekend. Thanks again.
Hail Relix! some cool guys, maybe I'll be cool enough to join someday. my truck needs more rust to qualify.
Hi, hey, you guys gonna be at Detroit Autorama. I will do a boss bike for the auction there. I have some pics on myspace, not sure if yours are there yet. Go to myspace.com/bicycledon peace, Bicycledon
The Jalopy Journal
