Brooklyn Invitational 2017
PHOTOS Gregory George Moore and Indian Motorcycle
WORDS Iron & Air Staff
Not much has changed since the inaugural Brooklyn Invitational nearly a decade ago and that’s a very good thing. The cheap beer flowed, the selvedge denim remained unwashed, and the bikes ranged from rat-bike choppers to auction-ready classics. This September marked year number nine for Keino Sasaki and crew and the show has become one of the world’s premier custom motorcycle events.
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The show took place at ROOT, a gallery in the heart of Williamsburg’s industrial district - a stone's throw from the shore of the East River and Manhattan’s East Village skyline. With attractions like The Brooklyn Bowl, The William Vale Hotel, Brooklyn Brewery, and the Kinfolk Café nearby, the event quickly became a roiling stew of curious locals, industry insiders, and custom motorcycle die-hards all gleefully packed into the intimate white-walled exhibition.
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The small handful of motorcycles showcased at the event was a mouthwatering cross section of renowned shops and lesser-known craftspeople, all sharing the same stage and all worthy of enthusiastic ogling. Walt Siegl’s full-chrome-jacket Leggero was a stunner, Prism’s pure Americana Knucklehead (featured in Issue 028, SUBSCRIBE and never miss an issue!) was even sexier in person, Madhouse Motor’s Rat Fink meets Junkyard Wars BSA had inspired style, and Christian Newman’s stainless Knucklehead had the precision of a medical device sporting Gene Simmon’s attitude. And that was just a few of the many beautiful custom bikes on display.
As the event’s headline sponsor, Indian Motorcycle used the opportunity to debut three commissioned builds, each one a unique interpretation of the new Scout Bobber:
