Stoop22kid
XS650 Addict
Had a blast this weekend. Saw a lot of cool bikes and met a lot of cool dudes. If you have Instagram look me up Justin_suth. Look forward to seeing y'all next year
-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
XS650 FEST & CHOPOFF "2016" (Chop It - Build It- Bring it)
- Thread starter HAPPY DAN
- Start date
-
- Tags
- 2016 xs650 chopoff xs650 fest
- Status
23 inch. Honda XL500 1979 to 1981 I believe
Adrenaline-Junkie
XS650 Addict
Thats exactly what i thought so i figured d ask just to make sure. Thanks!
CryptoKnight
CryptoKnight
This Saturday was very difficult. The bike was "done" except that I didn't have all the bolts torqued and lock-tite'd appropriately, so had 3 parts nearly rattle off the bike (including engine mounting bolts). That plus undependable starter + truck down hard so no hauler = had to choose the safe route and not ride the 200 miles to the event. That was really freaking hard, but I had to make the safety call late Thursday night and admit it was a day late and just not safe to ride that far, particularly without a chase/support vehicle. Hurts to work on a project for 30 months and miss the show by a single day, but at least I got to ride it on 4 shakedown (shake off??) runs. I hope there is some means of showing my bike next year at the event.
CryptoKnight
CryptoKnight
But, still awesome...
Ranger
XS650 Addict
This Saturday was very difficult. The bike was "done" except that I didn't have all the bolts torqued and lock-tite'd appropriately, so had 3 parts nearly rattle off the bike (including engine mounting bolts). That plus undependable starter + truck down hard so no hauler = had to choose the safe route and not ride the 200 miles to the event. That was really freaking hard, but I had to make the safety call late Thursday night and admit it was a day late and just not safe to ride that far, particularly without a chase/support vehicle. Hurts to work on a project for 30 months and miss the show by a single day, but at least I got to ride it on 4 shakedown (shake off??) runs. I hope there is some means of showing my bike next year at the event.
Sorry to hear that man! We had folks from about every corner in Ohio, if you had let everybody know Thursday, you probably could have caught a ride with somebody and at least enjoyed the event... hell, my brother and i could have picked you up Thursday night on our way from Texas!
You won't be able to be in the chopoff next year, but your bike absolutely can be part of the bike show. All XS650s present are part of the show, and the show winners are chosen among them. I really encourage you to come out next year. It's always a great time with great bikes and great people.
Ranger
XS650 Addict
Well, the 4th annual XS650 Fest and Chopoff has come and gone. This was my third in a row to attend, and, as usual, Daniel and Kerri of Pandemonium Custom Choppers put on a hell of an event, and we all had a great time!
I was, however, a little disappointed. Not in the event, it was a BLAST. I wouldn't drive 20 hours straight through from Texas year after year if I didn't have a good time. But rather, my disappointment was in attendance. I didn't count, but I think we were sitting at about a third of last year's numbers.
We can do better.
This is the only grassroots XS650-specific event that I'm aware of… and it's smack in the middle of the country. There's enough folks on this forum close enough to come… and I want to hang out with each and every one of you and shoot the shit about the bikes that we all love. I want to check out your bikes. See how you put your own style into them. Or even see the stocker that you've cared for or restored. (Even ride it if you let me). There was a crazy amount of innovation and attention to detail is just the 10 or 15 xs650s that did make the trip.
Maybe the "Chopoff" in the name is throwing you. Well, let me throw all misconceptions out of the window. The winner of the Chopoff was Gracer from Arizona with his board track-inspired xs650. It was based on the early motorcycles of the 19-teens. Basically, it was a bicycle with an xs650 motor crammed into it and 23" dirt bike wheels and tires front and rear. It was a super-cool vintage-style two-wheel death machine that I had the privilege of riding… Probably not what you think of when you hear "chopoff."
When I say all styles of XS650s are welcome as well as appreciated, that's no exaggeration. Every xs650 present participates in the overall Bike Show. A hardtail bobber won this year, but who's to say it won't be a cafe, tracker, or restoration next year. And all the voting is done by the attendees.
Every year, they consider doing away with the chopoff portion of the event because turnout is so low. And every year they decide to continue with it because the builders are so gung-ho when the event is announced. Only 2 builders completed this year… Gracer with his board tracker, and Dirty Dog with "Spare Parts" his hardtail bobber built out of, you guessed it, spare parts. Side note: Dirty Dog has built 4 chopoff bikes in the last 3 years… that's dedication.
I'm picking on everybody, including myself. I bit off more than I could chew and didn't finish my build either. Everybody knows that grownup shit gets in the way sometimes. Bills gotta be paid, babies gotta be fed, and gas ain't cheap (well, I guess it kind of is right now). Hell, KryptoKnight had his bike completely finished, when his shake-down runs made riding his bike a safety issue.
But even if you don't finish your build, come hang out! My brother and I drove up from Texas with no bikes, just a healthy amount of love for the XS650 motorcycle.
To those of you who have read this far (a bit of a rant, I know) I leave you with some food for thought.
Planning a small event like this requires money. You have to pay for food, etc. ahead of time based on what number you think you'll get. You try and get door prizes donated, but maybe you also buy some because you know everybody likes free stuff. So you figure your attendance fee based on what you're expenses are… you don't care if you make any money, but you would like to break even. ($10 is cheap). If you're off too far on your numbers you're screwed.
So I'm going to suggest registration remain at $10 if you pay 30 days before the event, and the price goes up at the door (to what I don't know, this is just a suggestion to the good folks at Pandemonium). So maybe they'll have a more accurate count… or at least, if you don't show up, they'll have your money
As for the chopoff. I thought this was a good suggestion, and I'm passing it along. They should have an entry fee, say $100 per builder. The fees go into a pot, with the winning builder earning half the pot, the other half going to event expenses… like MORE DOOR PRIZES! If you don't finish, your fee is forfeit.
I'd be willing to throw in $100 on the chance I could win $1,000. Plus, I think it would be a good incentive for the builders to keep grinding! Benjamin Franklin is a hell of a motivator.
Again, I don't think the point is to make money with the event, but I don't want to leave 2 good people holding the bag. And I damn sure want this event to continue, because you meet some of the best folks doing this motorcycle thing.
I was, however, a little disappointed. Not in the event, it was a BLAST. I wouldn't drive 20 hours straight through from Texas year after year if I didn't have a good time. But rather, my disappointment was in attendance. I didn't count, but I think we were sitting at about a third of last year's numbers.
We can do better.
This is the only grassroots XS650-specific event that I'm aware of… and it's smack in the middle of the country. There's enough folks on this forum close enough to come… and I want to hang out with each and every one of you and shoot the shit about the bikes that we all love. I want to check out your bikes. See how you put your own style into them. Or even see the stocker that you've cared for or restored. (Even ride it if you let me). There was a crazy amount of innovation and attention to detail is just the 10 or 15 xs650s that did make the trip.
Maybe the "Chopoff" in the name is throwing you. Well, let me throw all misconceptions out of the window. The winner of the Chopoff was Gracer from Arizona with his board track-inspired xs650. It was based on the early motorcycles of the 19-teens. Basically, it was a bicycle with an xs650 motor crammed into it and 23" dirt bike wheels and tires front and rear. It was a super-cool vintage-style two-wheel death machine that I had the privilege of riding… Probably not what you think of when you hear "chopoff."
When I say all styles of XS650s are welcome as well as appreciated, that's no exaggeration. Every xs650 present participates in the overall Bike Show. A hardtail bobber won this year, but who's to say it won't be a cafe, tracker, or restoration next year. And all the voting is done by the attendees.
Every year, they consider doing away with the chopoff portion of the event because turnout is so low. And every year they decide to continue with it because the builders are so gung-ho when the event is announced. Only 2 builders completed this year… Gracer with his board tracker, and Dirty Dog with "Spare Parts" his hardtail bobber built out of, you guessed it, spare parts. Side note: Dirty Dog has built 4 chopoff bikes in the last 3 years… that's dedication.
I'm picking on everybody, including myself. I bit off more than I could chew and didn't finish my build either. Everybody knows that grownup shit gets in the way sometimes. Bills gotta be paid, babies gotta be fed, and gas ain't cheap (well, I guess it kind of is right now). Hell, KryptoKnight had his bike completely finished, when his shake-down runs made riding his bike a safety issue.
But even if you don't finish your build, come hang out! My brother and I drove up from Texas with no bikes, just a healthy amount of love for the XS650 motorcycle.
To those of you who have read this far (a bit of a rant, I know) I leave you with some food for thought.
Planning a small event like this requires money. You have to pay for food, etc. ahead of time based on what number you think you'll get. You try and get door prizes donated, but maybe you also buy some because you know everybody likes free stuff. So you figure your attendance fee based on what you're expenses are… you don't care if you make any money, but you would like to break even. ($10 is cheap). If you're off too far on your numbers you're screwed.
So I'm going to suggest registration remain at $10 if you pay 30 days before the event, and the price goes up at the door (to what I don't know, this is just a suggestion to the good folks at Pandemonium). So maybe they'll have a more accurate count… or at least, if you don't show up, they'll have your money
As for the chopoff. I thought this was a good suggestion, and I'm passing it along. They should have an entry fee, say $100 per builder. The fees go into a pot, with the winning builder earning half the pot, the other half going to event expenses… like MORE DOOR PRIZES! If you don't finish, your fee is forfeit.
I'd be willing to throw in $100 on the chance I could win $1,000. Plus, I think it would be a good incentive for the builders to keep grinding! Benjamin Franklin is a hell of a motivator.
Again, I don't think the point is to make money with the event, but I don't want to leave 2 good people holding the bag. And I damn sure want this event to continue, because you meet some of the best folks doing this motorcycle thing.
DIRTY DOG
XS650 Guru
Very well said PJ ! I'm in $100 bucks I'm in I'm not in it for the money I just love to build motorcycles hell I loose money on just about evey bike I build anyway's hahaha we had a great time again this year even tgough I didn't win again oh well there next year just wait and see what I build next time hahahah,
CryptoKnight
CryptoKnight
Good suggestions. I would have tried perhaps, but the no-kids policy meant that I would be traveling without support or chase vehicle. I also have this rule... just like I refuse to ride a cager to my MC "church" meetings, and will only wear my cut when I've arrived by motorcycle, I think I'd have a real problem trailering my ride to an in-state event. It seems to belie the soul of what I've built, to be as true to 1975 chopper as I can.... no speedo, turn signals, odometer, neutral light. Zip ties not allowed because they weren't around in the 70s. Except for the lithium-ion battery (ok, I had to cheat), it's as authentic as I could keep it, to the point of using only tools available in the 70s. To end a 30 month journey by NOT riding my bike to the event just seemed insulting to my build.
Next year my brothers. Keep it frosty.
Next year my brothers. Keep it frosty.
DIRTY DOG
XS650 Guru
looking forward for next years build I think it'll be Jello Shots turn not a new build but a complete rebuild new frame rebuilt rephase eng. all new custom paint it's time the old girl has about 60K on here and it's time to refresh her haha
Ranger
XS650 Addict
Right on Dan! If the chopoff portion continues, I'll be entering the build I started this year... All I've done is build a frame and a tank, and I'm not finished with either yet. Other than that, it's been just collecting parts. If the chopoff portion gets nixed, I'll bring it anyway. I'm hoping we get tons more folks next year, because I love seeing what everyone comes up with.
HAPPY DAN
XS650 Addict
First off I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this event! Thank you to the people who have made the trip to the event! It was a great year again.
In this post I am going to post the winners and such.
The winner of the ChopOff 2016 was Greg Grace from Arizona with his Boardtracker XS650!
Best of Show winner
Top 5 of the Bike Show in No Order
Peoples Choice
Off the Wall
In this post I am going to post the winners and such.
The winner of the ChopOff 2016 was Greg Grace from Arizona with his Boardtracker XS650!
Best of Show winner
- Mark Allan B. with "Ruby Rat"
Top 5 of the Bike Show in No Order
- Dan Belcher
- Brian Deltorre
- Reba Belcher
- Valvet Miller
- Greg Grace
Peoples Choice
- Chad North
Off the Wall
- Dennis Maddox
weaselbeak
XS650 Junkie
That winner has no heft at all. It must have some wild acceleration if one has the stones for it.
9by12
XS650 Member
well for my first post I'll say
the chop off was a blast, dan and kerri are great host and put on a hell of a event, I'm in for the build off part for next year and will gladly throw a 100 bucks into the pot, also next year dan should not be allowed to work on the chopoff bikes friday and saturday, he needs to party and have fun like everyone else! I'm making plans for my build already and can't wait to get started
Bill
the chop off was a blast, dan and kerri are great host and put on a hell of a event, I'm in for the build off part for next year and will gladly throw a 100 bucks into the pot, also next year dan should not be allowed to work on the chopoff bikes friday and saturday, he needs to party and have fun like everyone else! I'm making plans for my build already and can't wait to get started
Bill
DIRTY DOG
XS650 Guru
me too
Ranger
XS650 Addict
Sounds great Bill! Can't wait to see what you come up with! Saw the article on your bike, BTW, good stuff
Stoop22kid
XS650 Addict
Can I start on my 2017 chop off bike yet? Haha can't wait!!
HAPPY DAN
XS650 Addict
STAY TUNED FOR THE RULES FOR THE CHOPOFF!!!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
- Status
