steveb leatherworks: the blather

When perusing the offerings at the IMS show, I happened upon the booth of DAM cycles.  I’ve had these guys on my radar for some time now, as their work has always been for as long as I can recall – stunning. I don’t know the granular particulars, of the shop, or its ownership – or even philosophy –  but the brain trust behind these machines deserves major props. It is obvious when looking at the work of shops like DAM, that they simply don’t spend enough money on advertising,  honk enough bobo, or kiss enough ass to get the recognition they so richly deserve.  The lazy dim-bulbs in the motorcycle industry would rather tout the praises of folks like Sucker Punch Sally, Big Dog, Big Bear and other modestly talented folks – than consider the work of shops like DAM.

I’d bet that because they don’t spend money supporting magazines with advertising, they will never garner the favor of the “moto” know-it-alls. Ever seen DAM in American Iron? Hot Bike? Easyrider? Ironworks?  Methinks not. I read all the books religiously and i honestly dont think I’ve ever seen a DAM bike featured. Walt Siegel is another character that kicks unholy ass insofar as bike building, fab and design and only most recently has he gotten any critical acclaim from the “press”.

As I’ve heard it said  “if the dogs like the dog food, why would we/should we change?” Simply open another can and dump it in the monthly bowl.   Do you see this as contempt for you? I sure do…..Yep – this is what ya get if you don’t find your OWN bikes to look at, if you don’t seek out new and unusual and innovative builders on your own. They are out their folks, but you wont find them in the pages of the moto press…not enough of the consumer dogs want to eat that dog food….. and Publishers cater to the “biggest common denominator” and not to the interesting niches and crevices that abound everywhere in the moto world if you tale the time to look. They dish up…vanilla. Now normally i like vanilla – but not month after month after months, after month, after month. Even I get fed up and sick of it…

Do I sound pissed?  Well I am, I am sick to death of reading magazines that keep dishing up the same crap month after month. I used to save all my mags for years and years, because each issue was a must read and always had a few choice nuggets featured. You just couldn’t throw them away. Not no mo…..

If you want innovation, you want to see some shit, you got to dig..and the place to dig is ONLINE  …Church of Choppers is one stop on the “lets get real express”, Knucklebuster is another blog worth scoping….

It has been a real long time since Ive saved a magazine- they pretty much all suck these days …..except for Cycle Source. They seem to have a clue – even if they feature bikes on the cover that are old news (see Steel City Choppers bike on a recent cover). Of all the books on the newsstand right now, Cycle Source is the only one that has a chance of engaging  me. I am not crazy about some of the mediocre writing or amateurish photography –  but it is getting better.. i see the progression and I wish them luck. They are doing it on their own terms..and i am all about that..

Back to DAM – check them out, they deserve a moment of your time. 

Any of you publishers  want a clue, give me a call,  I dont know much, but I know how to not bore the ever living shit out of my customers…something you might want to consider…that is if your tired of feeding your readers… dog food