The Big Show

Freedom Machine Vintage Custom and Antique Motorcycle Show

July 23, 2016

Between the towns of Durham and Markdale, Ontario, along Grey Rd. 12, is a sleepy place called Frontier Ghost Town. On July 23, 2016 the area wasn't so sleepy as hundreds of motorcyclist cruised along the open roads and gathered at the "Freedom Machine Vintage Custom and Antique Motorcycle Show" held on the grounds of Frontier Ghost Town, to celebrate their passion for motorcycles. Show organizers Jay Tyrrell and Neil Lounsbury spread the word and gathered hundreds if not thousands of motorcycle enthusiast together, with great sponsers, venders, swap meet, and live bands .

The setting couldn't be more perfect as it resembled a lost western town  forgotten by time. The feature bikes built by designer/builders from around Ontario where on display in front of the saloon. Excellent examples of all makes, models, and artistic vision. Nothing but sunshine, a warm breeze, and friendly faces. The kind of weather motorcyclist dream about during the long winter months. Today was surely the symbol of freedom with hundreds of motorcyclist firmly entrenched in celebration. To top off the end to a perfect day one person was lucky enough to ride away on a freshly built custom Harley, complete with king/queen seat, fish tails, and a fantastic paint job. I will certainly be looking forward to next years show.

Featured Motorcycles

Jeff Acal

Andy Cox

Jason Parker

Mick Ackermann

Gerry Thibeault

Adam King

Cameron Smyth

Julio Menna

Rob Cloutier

Matt Kopp

Rob Chappel

Freedom - Part Two

1968 Custom BSA A65...

...a story of opportunity.

Roughly 2-3 weeks before the show!

It's late, it's a weeknight, and July 23/2016 is fast approaching. I wouldn't feel so stressed but this is the first bike I've every owned and its been a ground up recreation from a box of used parts, a frame, a partial engine and a couple of old tires. I couldn't pass up the opportunity and like a kid with their first "Revell Model Kit" I dug in and forged ahead, determined I was going to make the deadline of July 23, 2016.

Starting point December of 2015

July 23/2016 you ask? Yes, that's the day this 1968 BSA Custom goes on display at the "Freedom Machine Vintage Custom Antique Motorcycle Show" in the small town of Durham, Ontario. I thought I was the hardest working person in Ontario until it met Jay Tyrrell and Neil Lounsbury, the two masterminds behind the show. I first spoke to Jay sometime in December 2015, and met him and Neil in January 2016 at a winter bike show in Malton, Ontario, and I was granted the opportunity to express my vision for this BSA at the 2nd annual "Freedom Machine" show.

Finally assembly coming together

Because I don't build bikes for a living, this project was an opportunity I had to embark on after hours and on the weekends. Busy with keeping my full time commitments fulfilled and a few customer paint jobs to complete before I could really sink into finishing this BSA. It wasn't until March when I really could kick into high gear, and like a bad script from a reality TV show I was feeling the pressure mount.

A bit of artistic license

It's now the night before the show and I've done all I could do to get there. Since March 2016 until now, I've hammered away with 10-16 hour work days including my full-time job, seven days a week. The bike is loaded into the truck, I had a shower, and I'm feeling exhaustion, relief, excitement, and a little scared. For me this is the opportunity I would only think of, and come tomorrow could be the first page of a new chapter....


....to be continued

If your planning to come to the show follow the directions found on the "Frontier Ghost Town" FaceBook page.

Good Design

What you don't see...

18' Contemporary Wall Unit

When my wife and I purchased our first new home, we waited a year and eight months for it to be complete. During that period we had plenty of time to decide what we could do with the bare 18' wall in the front room. It is a beautiful house with large windows on the front wall adjacent the front entrance. The home is breath taking with the feeling of warmth and invite as one entered into the vaulted room. I believe this room was the selling point for us when we purchased this house.

View from the 2nd Floor

Contemporary Design is not for everyone, but what makes this particular design work in this room are the things you can't see. The width of the wall unit was no accident. If you where to measure the width of the wall unit and the width of the windows they would be exactly the same. This helps balance the room and one feature doesn't overpower the other. Balance is important to design and to keep the balance the distance between the right side of the wall unit and the distance between the left side of the window to the corner of the wall are also equal. The depth of the wall unit is equal to that of a standard shelf to not allow it to be intrusive to the room.

Three large brushed metal inserts.

Balance continues within the confines of the unit. Three large irregular and unequal brushed metal inserts where constructed and installed in a staggered arrangement. To keep balance the outside borders between the right, left, and top of the unit are equal. Although the metal inserts appear staggered with equal side spacing the flow is intact. At least one edge on each of the metal inserts touches a specific invisible border keeping continuity. The three metal inserts are all different sizes but the volume or area each unit covers, is close to being equal. This allows the structure to remain balanced with equal weight from top to bottom.

Sofa from "Fifth Avenue" - Wall Unit design by Gerry Thibeault/Bogie Inc. 

The last feature in this room is the round sectional sofa. The round lines soften all the vertical and horizontal lines that make up this room. The curved shape ties the wall unit together with the window. The sofa distracts the eye from the lower part of the room and keeps the focus on the two main features, the wall unit and the window. The curved design of the sofa reaches out to the rooms guests, whom can't resist but to sit and spend time in this room. It's a great space to entertain and all the guest face each other and are in full view of one of the two main features.

All Good Design, weather it be a room, automobile, or magazine advertisement follow specific principles. What you don't see is often the success of a great design.

Freedom - Part One

Custom 1968 BSA A65 Lightning

The Motorcycle, to many, symbolize freedom. The freedom to choose a bike that fits the needs and personality. The freedom to go anywhere the roads go. In a zone firmly holding and feeling the power. Absorbing vibrations and soaking in exhilarating screams of a winding engine while working curvy roads. Wind is the only resistance, but the therapeutic scent of the season rush through the helmet filling the mind with the satisfaction of escape and freedom. Chasing the endless yellow line one-dash-at-a-time, with miles and miles of endless freedom into the sunset of the day.

To the Designer the motorcycle also represents freedom. In a zone at a quiet undisclosed location, staring at the lines of a skeletal frame. Sculpting metal with heavy strategic raps on steel, ringing like music notes. Hammering out functional form that will sculpt the shape of the final creation. Feeling the exhilaration as it takes form. The therapeutic scent of burning metal rush through the helmet, filling the mind with satisfaction of seeing the work come together, with miles and miles of endless creative freedom into the sunset of the day.

Bogie-Motorsports