Von Dutch is known for thier Motorcycles to the Stars

TERRA on Third, get hip to it…..

Displayed is Three 6 Mafia, Alex Mardikian and Ron Starrantino from Von Dutch Kustom Cycles with the new 2007 Von Dutch Speedball at TERRA on Third joined together for VIBE magazine. Here again, Von Dutch Kustom does the bikes for the stars.

TERRA on Third is Los Angeles’ premiere service-oriented fashion destination for women's, children's and men's apparel and accessories, continues to defy traditional cross promotions with their latest collaboration with Von Dutch Kustom Cycles. Through April, an original Louis Vuitton Kustom Cycle -- created specifically for hip-hop diva, Mary J. Blige will be on display at the front of the store. For the customer who appreciates quality, style and a fast ride, the $130,000 Kustom Cycle has been luring many customers in the store since its arrival.

"Since TERRA opened its doors last November, I have made an effort to find cross-promotional opportunities," says TERRA Creative Director Johnathon Vasquez. "At TERRA, we have consistently had a Von Dutch Kustom Cycle on display monthly, and it's proved to be a successful way to entice a new customer into the store."

"It is rather unconventional to have a motorcycle at the entrance of a luxury boutique, but it has proved to be a successful venture. Since starting this program, Von Dutch Kustom Cycles has managed to gain interest in both potential buyers and press. Our motorcycle company is the perfect complement to the Von Dutch Originals fashion line and I think that translates well in an environment like this. Many fashion-conscious customers who walk into the store looking to buy clothing end up walking out wanting to buy a motorcycle. We enjoy being a part of this special retail experience and hope to continue working with TERRA on their innovative marketing initiatives."

VGeared towards L.A.'s fashion-conscious, "movers and shakers," VIPs, celebrities and people "in the know," TERRA combines a fresh, diverse mix of high-end, men's, women's and children's fashion,


Three 6 Mafia's beginnings date back to the early '90s, when they were known as Triple Six Mafia; these recordings are well compiled on such latter-day compilations as Underground, Vol. 1: 1991-1994. Three 6 made their proper debut in 1995 with Mystic Stylez, a fairly groundbreaking if rudimentary effort that lent itself well to the "horrorcore" tag tossed about in the years to follow. Following another independently released album, Da End (1996), Three 6 signed a distribution deal with Relativity, resulting in Chapter 2: World Domination (1997) and a rash of hasty releases to follow, including solo albums as well as side projects. There were some underground hits from this era that helped further the group's fan base: "Tear da Club Up '97" and "Sippin' on Some Syrup," most notably. Three 6 eventually signed to Columbia, though the group's label debut, Da Unbreakables (2003), didn't break into mainstream consciousness. That would happen with Most Known Unknown (2005), thanks to "Stay Fly," the first major hit for the group. Many doors opened for Three 6 thereafter, including an unlikely Oscar win in early 2006 (for "Hard out There for a Pimp," from the film Hustle & Flow).

Defining what the Kustom Kulture: Past and Present

Kustom Kulture is a US neologism used to describe the artwork, the vehicles, the hairstyles, and the fashions of those who drove and built custom cars and motorcycles in the United States of America from the 1950s through today. In the early days of hot rodding, many fashions and styles developed. Over time, each of these distinct styles of customizing have blended and reshaped our everyday life. Artists such as Von Dutch (Kenny Howard), custom car builders such as "Big Daddy" Ed Roth, hot rod and lowrider customizers such as the Barris Brothers, along with numerous tattoo artists, automobile painters, and movies and television shows such as American Grafitti and Happy Days, have all helped to form what is known as Kustom Kulture.Kustom Kulture is usually identified with the greasers of the 1950s, the drag racers of the 1960s, and the lowriders of the 1970s. Other subcultures that have had an influence on Kustom Kulture are the Skinheads, mods and rockers of the 1960s, the punk rockers of the 1970s, the metal and rockabilly music, along with the scooterboys of the 1980s, and psychobilly of the 1990s. Each separate culture has added their own customizations to the cars, their own fashions, influenced the music, and added their own ideas of what is cool, of what is acceptable, and what is not. Everything from wild pinstriped paintjobs, to choptop Mercurys, to custom Harley Davidsons, Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, Triumph Motorcycles, to metalflake and black primer paintjobs, along with music, cartoons, and monster movies have had an impact on what defines anyone and anything who is part of this automobile subculture .

In the 1990s and 2000s, Kustom Kulture had taken on a rebirth of American subcultures from the 50's and 60's with DIY activities. Each style is distinct, and has its roots in American automobile history. Many styles that would not have been acceptable in one place now have come together in large shows. Many styles have been blended into a homogeneous mixture, mixing what in the past had been forbidden to now being an accepted new way of doing it. Many vehicles with styling from completely different eras can be found parked next to each other with no hostilities or qualms about the differences.

Check out Von Dutch Kustom Cycles http://www.vondutchkustomcycles.com/ and see what the Principle of Kulture, Mardikian, and his crew of misfits and greasers are fabricating in tribute to an era of black suede.

Von Dutch……the LEGEND LIVES!!!
The Von Dutch sensation in more than just a “trucker cap”, paying homage to the late Kenneth Howard and honoring the Counter Culture Lifestyle, Von Dutch Kustom Cycles is passionate to share the experience, the way of life and the companies’ essence of freedom, style, sex, power and motion. Von Dutch Kustom Cycles first rule is, there are no rules when it comes to design. The unorthodox creations of kustom motorcycles, hotrods, clothing and accessories redefine the rebel lifestyle, melding new world chop shop technology to the origins of the passion, performance and flavor of what motorcycling and hot rodding is really about. Simply put, becoming one with the open road and oneself… the answer to the infinite identity question of soul searching.

Discovery Channel films new Celebrity Poker show with well known Motorcycle customizers

The Discovery Channel: The Great American Celebrity Poker Run.

Kerry Kasem was also a featured celebrity along with motorcycle industry vanguards Gard Hollinger , Jesse Rooke, and Von Dutch’s Alex Mardikian. The premise of the show will be to feature various celebrities from within the motorcycle industry as they pursue a typical southern California poker run that is mixed with various challenges along the way. Check out the photo’s and the celebrities featured in this episode of “The Great American Celebrity Poker Run”. And watch for it to debut later this fall on Discovery TV. Watch the antic’s of Lorenzo Lamas, and Branscombe along the way... it will be a fun new show in Discovery TV’s fall line-up.

The Von Dutch Flying Eye

FLYING EYEBALL 101- HISTORY & ORIGINS
I am seeing more and more of the Von Dutch Flying Eye logo on celebrities and the like. The Flying Eyeball has to be the coolest throwback design around dating back long before the kustom kulture. But remember, from the time of beginning, there has always been the inner child in all of us, the rebel spirit.
Instead of recapping an already well publicized life story of the legendary Kenneth "Von Dutch" Howard, let’s take a look at the origins and history of Von Dutch’s favorite icon, The all seeing “FLYING EYEBALL”.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth leaving no stone unturned, no research unearthed, no muck unraked. Having enlisted the help of our kustom time machine, and set the controls for ANCIENT EGYPT-4000 BC.
EYE OF HORUS-Arriving in the Valley of the Kings (that’s one valley over from the Valley of Fatigue), we found prolific use of the Eye of Horus. Renowned to be a powerful symbol of protection and considered to confer wisdom, health, and prosperity, this hot shot sun god’s eye was big stuff in funerary rites and decoration in general. Later Egyptian mathematicians used the eye to represent fractions based on repeated division by two #1.
EYE OF GOD- Staying ancient but kicking it up a couple of thousand years, the WAYBACK dropped us off next in classical Greece (Classical Greece? Isn’t that what you use to repack wheel bearings on pre-WWII cars?) This cat named Philostratus had all the Greeks believing that for the three minutes during a total eclipse of the sun when the moon is perfectly aligned, the black ball of the moon surrounded by the sun’s corona was the Eye of God. Go figure! Others from the Jewish perspective say that the same vision was given to Moses during that "burning bush" thing and later explained in the Dead Sea Scrolls by Isaiah as the reason why the stones of the temple are set as they are that they may become the center of the eye.
EVIL EYE-About the same time over in Sumeria the Evil Eye was getting some play as a superstitious curse. Picked up by your Central and Southern Europeans in the Middle Ages, mal occhio (as it was called in Italy) really started to roll. Amulets and talismans were commonly sold as protection and the Catholic Church inquisitors were all over it like a rash. Some even believe today that our dislike of staring and being stared at is rooted in the fear of the Evil Eye.
THIRD EYE-A long time staple of your eastern type religions, the Third Eye is believed to be your psychic reception center located between your two physical eyes. Obviously the Dutch was hip to this trip.
COYOTE’S EYEBALL-Back in the not so WAY BACK for a trip to pre-white man America where the Native Americans had an eyeball groove going on. As the story goes the Coyote liked to show off for the girls by juggling his eyeballs. One day he threw one so high that it stuck in the sky where it continues to fly.
PRE-WW 1 GERMAN MILITARY-Although aware of many or all of the aforementioned, this could quite easily be the source that inspired the Dutchman. With an avid interest in things military and particularly things German, it was either Von Dutch or one of his close confederates that told of an insignia based on the flying eyeball and sported on prewar uniforms.
ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD-Here’s one we all know. First printed on the back side of the one dollar bill in 1935, the All-Seeing Eye has been attributed to Masonic origins and is suppose to suggest the importance of divine guidance. Not a bad concept! (Let’s have everybody in Washington flip over a buck and think about it for a few minutes!!!)
DUTCH, LARRY & DEAN-Von Dutch hit his stride in the Fifties with Larry Watson and Dean Jeffries not far behind. All embraced the winged orb; each in their own way.
RICK GRIFFIN "BG-105 1968"-Remembered as one of the most vivid images of the San Francisco Ballroom Rock Poster Art era, Rick’s flying eye is seen by some as more than an attention getter for a forthcoming Hendrix concert. There are those who believed it to be a manifestation of the artist’s inner turmoil as he agonized between love of the spirit and love of the body. While many of the eras were experiencing the same struggle, few used it as the catalyst to produce great art. Rick eventually found the answer to this duality in the vision of Jesus.
LATER- Many have subsequently drawn upon the flying eye for inspiration. Well known ballroom poster and album cover designers Mouse & Kelly have been popping eyes for years with their creations. Another of the rock art greats, Roger Dean appears to have reflected on the Eye of Horus for an Asia album cover. And pinstriping Legend Ron Myers has and continues to make the eye on the fly an integral part of his work since the late fifties.
MEMORIALS- "The Passing Of A Legend-1992"-Von Dutch’s departure from the scene compelled many artists to visually express their feelings of loss. The brushes of those legendary in their own rite including Von Franco, Jack "The Italian" Giachino, and Dave Bell have produced memorials to a hard life lived on its own terms. As we consider the price paid by those who produce the art that we love to look at, let’s remember a line from a past hit that must have been written about Dutch, "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."*

Von Dutch, A New Breed paying Tribute to the Old Skool

Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, “a New breed paying tribute to the Old Skool“
Written by: Raphael Srabian

Now Listen Up, there’s a new Kompany in town and “they ain’t what ya’ thank. This Kompany is Von Dutch Kustom Cycles; And let me tell you something; They’re the Real Deal!

A lot of you Nu-Skoolers might think that Von Dutch is a hip clothing line for celebrities…well sort of, but I’ll get back to that in a minute. But some of you OG’s that have been in the game for a bit, know that Kenneth “Von Dutch” Howard meant something to the “Kustom Kulture” of cars and bikes, post World War II. Ken Howard was the originator of the free hand pin-stripe. Striping was his way of personalizing each bike or car that he touched. Eclectic, Un-social, Obsessive, Rude and sometimes Genius, Ken Howard lead nothing less then an interesting life, but his legacy is best remembered by his scrupulous attention to detail and design.( I HOPE I DIDN’T LOSE YOU AT SCRUPULOUS. KEEP READING!) Fast Forward to Today, a new Bike builder has emerged and his ability to design would make Ken Howard roll over twice in his grave. Alex Mardikian is Chief Designer and President of Von Dutch Kustom Cycles. Mardikian has an insatiable appetite to create and like Ken Howard, Alex loves to personalize every bike that rolls off his assembly line. Conventional designs? I don’t think so. The Von Dutch bikes are all unique in their own way and the attention to detail will blow your mind. “I only know one way of building: It’s custom, and it’s high end. I don’t compromise my quality for quantity,” says Mardikian. You want to talk quality? Each Von Dutch Kustom is equipped with a Patrick Racing Billet motor, Primo-Vera 6spd tranny, Brembo Quad-Piston calipers and floating roaters. The frames are Diamond Chassis and the custom exhaust and primary drive is Arlen Ness. The Von Dutch Bikes are all retro-inspired but the mechanisms SCREAM modern ingenuity: literally SCREAM! For the personal touch each bike is outfitted with a custom hand carved leather seat from Pasquel and an ultra unique paint scheme done by award winning shop, Deano’s of Arizona.

Mardikian’s designs speak for themselves, but the only way to bring them before the public’s eye is to have a solid business plan; In walks Ron Starrantino, VP of sales and marketing for Von Dutch Kustom Cycles. I had the pleasure of meeting Ron and at first glance he looks like a Bar room Bouncer that spends a lot of time at the gym, well that’s half true. Ron is an avid weightlifter, but a meat head he’s not. Ron is extremely business savvy and personable. He cut his teeth in the boiler rooms of Wall Street. He understands how important client relationships are and best of all he loves to ride bikes. In the 6 months that Ron has been with the company he’s helped raise the public awareness of the custom cycle division 10 fold. Ron is a huge advocate of giving back to the community and he plans on participating in at least 6 charity events per year. This year Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was commissioned by the City of Sturgis to build the official 2006 Black Hills Sturgis Rally bike. The bike is being raffled off to raise money for the Children of Sturgis and that was a no-brainer proposition that Mardikian and Starrantino didn’t think twice about. I asked Ron what the game plan was to take Von Dutch Kustoms to the next level, “our goal is to build high end bikes but at the same time keep the price points attractive for the consumers who want quality without having to take out a second mortgage on their homes.” Ron’s plans must be working, because every bike built has been pre-sold months in advance.

Finally, in conclusion to my previous thought: For you Nu-Skoolers who still think that Von Dutch is a hip clothing line for celebrities; That is true, celebrities do wear the clothes as well as a hundred million other people. The Point: Celebrities also ride custom bikes and so do we; out of love for the “Kustom Kulture.” THE MESSAGE: Don’t Hate; shut your mouth and check out the bikes, www.vondutchkustomcycles.com. You might fall in love like I did, Peace!

Von Dutch will always remain a Legend

Von Dutch was a legendary American pinstriper and overall artistic mechanic, gunsmith and custom car and motorcycle builder in the 1960's. His trademark was a flying eyeball and was the mainstream feed to the lowbrow kustom kulture movement of southern California.
Pinstriping on cars and motorcycles was a dead art when 15-yr. old Kenneth Howard went to work in George Beerup's motorcycle shop in the mid-forties. General Motors did the last automobile striping on an American car in 1938. Then, in the mid-fifties, customizers brought it back in style in mostly radical form believing they were doing something entirely new! Kenny, the motorcycle mechanic was the man who started this "new" vogue under the name "Von Dutch. The nonconformist way of pinstriping that the late Von Dutch made-up initially came to life by covering up grind marks on the metal canvas of vehicles in which he was working on, the new age of pin came to birth.

Keeping to the core and carrying out the lifestyle applications of Von Dutch is represented in the

fabrications and details of Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, a true lifestyle company.
In respect to a great forefather to a movement that continues to grow, there are only to lifestyle companies in existence today making a difference and not exploiting the rhyme, the reason and the dream of their mentors. They are Harley Davidson Motor Company and Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, building upon dead men’s names, giving freedom to the living.

In 2006, Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was the Official Motorcycle of the Black Hills Sturgis Rally

Grand Daddy to them all, Sturgis Black Hills Motorcycle Rally appoints and purchases a Von Dutch Kustom Cruelworld Chopper as the Official Bike:

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Von Dutch Kustom Cycles (www.vondutchkustomcycles.com) has been unanimously selected by the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce to build the official custom bike for the 2006 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, with it's winning bike design, the Cruelworld Softail Chopper, was awarded this prestigious honor, beating out numerous motorcycle companies, manufacturers, OEM's and custom builders. The bike, which has been built for the 66th Annual Sturgis Rally, will be raffled off for charity through the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce

"We are excited and humbled to receive this distinguished honor," says VDKC COO and Chief Designer, Alex Mardikian. "Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was built on the principle of 'Kustom Kulture.' We plan to use this opportunity that the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce has graciously bestowed upon us, to help educate the motorcycle community about Kustom Kulture, and why it is relevant to us and our fellow bike builders and enthusiasts."

Kustom Kulture is a movement that started in 1950-60's car and motorcycle culture and continues today. The concept at the basis of this principle is that everyone is an individual with their own sense of style that reflects their personality. Kustom Kulture is an ideology that allows people to express themselves through the artistry of their vehicles. Von Dutch Kustom Cycles has infused elements of Kustom Kulture into the bike that they have built for the 66th Annual Black Hills Rally.

"Von Dutch Kustom Cycles really brings some strong assets to our charity program," said Marcia Johnston, chair of the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation. "We think the relationship with Von Dutch will take us to a new level and we are excited about expanding our relationship with the company in a variety of ways."

"The community is sure to win on this one," says Sturgis Mayor Mark Zeigler. "I'm extremely proud of the way the Chamber, The City and Sturgis Rally Charities are working together on behalf of our town. Having Von Dutch Kustom Cycles on board should really enhance the excitement surrounding the raffle this year."

The winning Von Dutch Kustom Cycles model chosen by the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, the Cruel World Softail Chopper, is a marvel of modern technology and old-school design. This bike features a complete 113 cubic-inch Patrick Racing Billet Motor, Primo Rivera open-belt drive, and 6-speed chrome transmission. Additional features include a hand tooled leather seat, Brembo braking system, VDKC handlebars, custom rims, and custom paint by award-winning paint by Deano's of Arizona.

The bike has already achieved celebrity status by being featured and photographed with Hollywood A-listers at the Showtime Style 2006 pre-Golden Globes retreat. Held at the Luxe Hotel on the famed Beverly Hills shopping Mecca, Rodeo Drive, the event boasted some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Angela Bassett, Daryl Hannah, Terrence Howard, and Michael Madsen, amongst many others. The bike will continue its media blitz leading up to the Black Hills Rally, visiting Cincinnati's V-Twin Expo, the ultimate motorcycle dealer tradeshow and internationally renowned apparel tradeshow, MAGIC Marketplace, in February.
This honorable appointment by the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce entitles Von Dutch Kustom Cycles to join the exclusive company of the few organizations who are permitted a license to use the Sturgis name and composite. The Chamber and Von Dutch Kustom Cycles are currently working on a variety of licensing deals related to a unique blend of the two sought-after brands, including a line of die-cast miniature toy motorcycles by Jada Toys.

Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was founded in 2003 by longtime custom bike and power-craft designer Alex Mardikian. The company makes both production models and original, highly-stylized custom cruisers, choppers and bobbers popular for their unorthodox, retro "Kustom Kulture" designs, and sells through an exclusive network of dealerships worldwide. Along with its motorcycles, Von Dutch Kustom Cycles is the official licensee of Von Dutch Originals, an internationally-renowned fashion powerhouse that offers a selection of "greaser chic" and "garage couture," hot rod-inspired clothing and one-of-a-kind accessories. Von Dutch Kustom Cycles is headquartered in the Los Angeles area and employs an array from top level executives, chop shop specialists also known as sheet metal fabricators, master mechanics, engineers and not to forget, artists. All VDKC creations carry certificates of authenticity placed out of sight to the fuel tank, the frame, the oil tank, and the rear fender. Visit Von Dutch Kustom Cycles online at www.vondutchkustomcycles.com.

About Sturgis Motorcycle Rally / Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation / Sturgis Rally Charities

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will celebrate its 66th anniversary in the summer of 2006. The event draws in excess of half a million tourists each August to the small town of Sturgis and the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

The City of Sturgis, The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce and Sturgis Rally Charities work hand-in-hand to offer the community a significant annual return from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. More than a million dollars has been given away to dozens of great causes as a result of sponsorship, licensing and the annual raffle of the Official Custom Motorcycle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

For further information:Alex Mardikian, mardikian@artisticdemocracy.com

Schumacher purchases the new 2007 Von Dutch Kustom Bobber

Von Dutch exploding in Europe.....

Find the amazing bike that Owner/Designer: Alex Mardikian, Vice President of Worldwide sales: Ron Starrantino and the talented crew at Von Dutch Kustom Cycles has just finished building, for Ralf Schumacher, the formula 1 driver. A major photo shoot has been booked the media, for the upcoming week.
A true work of art and a great expression of what Von Dutch is all about.

Here is what else is going on at Von Dutch:
The new Von Dutch store in New York (109 Spring Street) in the SoHo district is rocking and blowing up scene this current spring.

Fred Segal on Melrose is carrying Von Dutch Vintage and is a strong relationship.

With European partners, a major marketing push for Europe underway,
commencing with a Von Dutch / Quentin Tarantino party at the Cannes 2007 Film Festival,
combined with a huge advertising campaign in pan-European media.
The Von Dutch Optical collection is launching this weekend at the MIDO Fair in Milan.
One step at a time…….

Now heres a little bit about the Man, the latest 2007 Dutch Angel owner:

Birthplace: Hürth (Germany)
Birthdate: 30. June 1975
Nationality: German
Height: 1,78 m
Weight: 73 kg
Maritial status: married with Cora and a Son David (born 23.10.2001)
Hobbys: Cart, Tennis, Cycling, Backgammon and soon the open road on his Von Dutch
Favourite music: Softrock
Favourite dish: Pasta
Favoruite drink: Applejuice spritzer
First drive in a racingcar: At the age three in a cart
First racingcar: BMW ADAC Formel Junior
First race: July 1992 in a BMW ADAC Formel Junior, Norisring, Nürnberg (Germany)
First victory: Cart-club race at the age of seven

Successes before F1
- 1. NRW Kart-Pokal (1991)

- 1. Kart-Gold-Cup (1991)

- Deutscher Junioren-Kartmeister (1991)

- Deutscher Kart-Vizemeister (1992)

- Formel-ADAC-Junior (1992)

- Formel-ADAC-Junior-Vizemeister (1993)

- Einstieg in die Formel 3 (1993)

- 3. Deutsche Formel 3 (1994)

- 2. Deutsche Formel 3 (1995)

- Sieger Formel-3-GP in Macao (1995)

- Formel-Nippon-Meister (1996)

- 2. Japanische GT-Meisterschaft (1996)

Formula-1-Debut
09.03.1997 GP Australia / Melbourne

Career in F1:
- Jordan (1997-1998)

- Williams (1999)

- BMW-Williams (2000-2004)

- Panasonic Toyota Racing (since 2005)

First points
13.04.1997 GP Argentinien / Buenos Aires in the third race of career

A Tribute to a bike that sheds its metal: The ART of the BOBBER

Art of the Bobber

Author: Spencer Drate, Judith Salavetz, Alex Mardikian

Introduction by: Jim Babchak

“[Art of the Bobber] captures the rebel spirit and the kustom kulture of the ultimate custom bike as never before. Every bobber is beautifully photographed, emphasizing the smooth edges and geometric shapes, creating a whole new dimension and perception for the reader.” Born to RideThe old-school look is back. Gone are the stretched-out, chromed-up, candy-coated luxury choppers that cost more than the garage they’re stored in and only see action twice a year for fear of scuffing the foot pegs. The world of custom motorcycles begins and ends with the bobber. Sleek, fast, light, and dripping with character and personality, these bikes are built to ride. With classic 1940s and '50s styling, bobbed fenders, stock frames, vintage parts, and old-school paint jobs, the bobbers of today are using new techniques and technology to pay homage to the riders and builders who started it all. Authors and designers Spencer Drate, Judith Salavetz and Alex Mardikian have compiled the photographs and stories of 49 hot bobber builders, from famous names like Von Dutch, Dave Perewitz, the late Indian Larry, and Arlen Ness, to small neighborhood shops attracting major national attention. With essays on the history of the bobber and the future of the industry from noted motorcycle journalists and insiders, The Art of the Bobber is a treasury of classic and modern custom bobbers at your fingertips.

Street Chopper Editorial on the Von Dutch Stray

Von Dutch Kustom's Loner Chop Nothing Ordinary
By Taryn Funcheon
Photography: Eric Ellis

Street Chopper Magazine

The little things in life have a funny habit of making their way into the bigger picture, especially when people least expect it. For Alex Mardikian, owner of Von Dutch Kustom Cycles in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the chopper spread across these pages is proof of it. This build started with a simple autograph on a ball cap.
Back in 2004 during Daytona Bike Week, Alex was showing off his new series of choppers. The line-up included "Cruel World," a tricked out rigid chop that seemed to grab a lot of people's attention at the show, especially Joel Carson's. After the aforementioned autographed ball cap, Joel began picking Alex's brain about every square inch of Cruel World's frame, including what type of bike could be built from its design. After some small talk, Joel thanked him for the info and promised he'd keep in contact.

Joel kept his word, and in fact, kept in touch with Alex for over a year before a decision was made to build a chopper that would incorporate a few of Joel's specifications-the rest would be a surprise. "It was funny at first because sometimes we didn't even talk about building a bike, then he'd throw ideas out in other conversations, or send pictures of pin-up girls and I'd wonder where he was going with all of it," Alex recalled.

When it comes to trust, Joel put complete faith into Alex's abilities, as Joel wouldn't see the bike until it was finished. "It was like blind faith," Alex said, "he never knew what he was getting, but believed it'd be exactly what he wanted in the end." Joel wanted a Softail design, so Alex started with his '05 Softail style chopper frame with 43 degrees of rake in the neck, 10 inches of upward stretch in the single downtube, and 5 inches added to the backbone. The frame is connected to a Von Dutch Kustom's swingarm with a built-in 26-inch fender, while the signals and license holder is integrated into the axle housing with signature billet covers. Suspension for the swingarm is handled by a Progressive Airtail system, modified by Von Dutch, while the air compressor hides in the oil bag. Joel liked the look of a springer, so Alex modified a narrow glide springer frontend from Denver's Choppers with integrated Von Dutch Flying Eye series handlebars and tree attachment.

Another must-have for Joel on the bike was the fleur-de-lis, a French styled design often found on jewelry, like Joel's rings. So Alex incorporated the fleur-de-lis into a lot of the bike's components, like the wheels and gas cap. "I wanted to do something special for Joel, so I got crazy with the sheetmetal," Alex said. The gas tank was shaped with a flared over and under tapering back and was finished off with a pin-up girl on top. The custom oval oil bag is trick too, with integrated control panel and air gauge. "There is so many hidden details, and metal's always a great place to start," Alex said.

Von Dutch Kustom Cycles offers motorcycles to all markets...

JADA TOYS REV UP with VON DUTCH KUSTOM CYCLES with line of DIECAST COLLECTIBLE MOTORCYCLES

A cutting edge manufacturer of customized die cast cars, JADA Toys Inc., announced plans of an exclusive licensing agreement with custom motorcycle manufacturer,
Von Dutch Kustom Cycles based in Los Angeles, California. The partnership calls for the two innovative companies to produce a series of die cast replicas of motorcycles from custom builder Von Dutch Kustom Cycles designed by Chief Designer and CEO, Alex Mardikian. The die-cast versions of motorcycles include product line models such as; the Dutch Angel, Dragnut, LeftCoast, Cruelworld, Lowbrow, Mayhem, Killer B, Stray, Rumbler with other collectable die cast motorcycles to follow.

About JADA Toys, Inc.
Headquartered in City of Industry, California with satellite offices and showrooms in New York City, and Hong Kong, and manufacturing facilities in Asia, Jada Toys, Inc., is the leading die cast manufacturer in the customized vehicle category. The company holds licenses with the world’s car and motorcycle manufacturers including Hummer, BMW, Daimler Chrysler, Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Lexus, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and others. First to the marketplace with the “hottest rides”, including DUB CITY, IMPORT RACER, HOMIEROLLERZ, ROAD RATS and other die cast and radio-controlled vehicles, Jada Toys products can be found at most major retailers and hobby stores worldwide. For more information visit; www.jadatoys.com

About Von Dutch Kustom Cycles
Von Dutch Kustom Cycles re-introduces the “Kustom Kulture” in their unique and innovative motorcycles. Our designer motorcycles appeal to modern day rebel that worships everything from classic threads to custom hotrods. The Von Dutch Kustom motorcycle designs are the result of creative expression, extensive product development and best in class components. This is a direct result of disciplined manufacturing processes and the end result is a high performance, high quality motorcycle unlike any other custom bike in the industry. For more information visit; www.vondutchkustomcycles.com .

A Life in Design

A Life in Design as Alex Mardikian

As second generation designer and coming up under a iron clad, self made, accomplished father, a hippy stepfather of rebelion and a gypsy artist mom, I have married those important aspects and lifestyles as molding models to my creativity.

I don’t expect people to understand why I’m so interested in design – I’m more willfully obscure. My creations and works of art looks to the future, but also back to the past. I use new techniques, but also reintroduce that lost quality of beauty.

Overall, it is thought that design is this incredible discovery as a field, and yet not to many are truly making it interesting. So the life of my designs are like that- looking not to be over designed at all, it’s just there flowing seamlessly for the importance of beauty and performance, recognized and accepted as a collectible from its time of completion.

Los Angeles Times - Von Dutch Earns its stripes

THROTTLE JOCKEY/SUSAN CARPENTER
Von Dutch earns its stripes
A bobber that rocks, the Dutch Angel is a real showpiece that leaves choppers (and most everything else) in its dust.
SUSAN CARPENTERAugust 2, 2006
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SUSAN CARPENTER / THROTTLE JOCKEY
I was ready to rumble. Bring the bike on Wednesday, I told the guy. Noon. I'll be waiting in the empty parking lot at 45th and Figueroa.The driver from Von Dutch Kustom Cycles was late, but when he wheeled the Dutch Angel into the lot, all was forgiven. The behemoth 113-cubic-inch V-twin was tricked out with slick candy-stick pin-striping, a high-end racing motor and enough chrome for a lady to check out her helmet hair.If I were a guy, I would've whistled.The frame wasn't stretched like Silly Putty. There was no J-Lo tire out back. That's because the Dutch Angel is a bobber — a '40s-style bike that's replacing the chopper as the latest in old-school cool. Less extreme and more ridable than the choppers that have been terrorizing city streets these past few years, the bobber doesn't sacrifice any of the requisite outlaw cred. Its shortened (or "bobbed") rear fender, along with its rigid frame, solo seat, mid controls and narrow back tire, just make it more of a nostalgia trip.The Dutch Angel, like many modern bobber interpretations, is a retro tribute rather than an exact replica. It tweaks the vintage styling and updates the technology. With its compact size and feline curves, the bike has the look of a vintage cruiser, but it's also a sport bike — a custom power cruiser, if you will. A top-of-the-line billet-aluminum Patrick Racing motor gives the bike a lot of giddyap. Pulling in the reins is a pair of fast-acting Brembo piston-caliper brakes. Both are chromed, along with the exhaust, transmission, primary drive cover and everything else under the hand-crafted saddle.All this name-dropping comes at a price: $46,600.Firing up the Dutch Angel goes against standard operating procedure. The ignition is hidden off the transmission just below the tailpipes and operated with a cylindrical tumbler key to prevent joy rides or an unwelcome take-away to the chop shop. Before hitting the start button, there are two others to push — one on each of the cylinder heads to release compression and get the monster pistons cranking inside this four-stroke powerhouse. (Forget, as I once did, and you'll pay the price with embarrassing backfires — the motorcycle equivalent of farting on a first date.)The first words I heard after flipping the switch were "Go, girl!" as two cholitas floored it out of the parking lot in their beat-up sedan. They were the beginning of an onslaught of attention. Sure, the "49-state friendly" pipes blowing exhaust at an illegal volume prompted mothers to draw their children closer and Prius drivers to pretend I didn't exist, but everyone else loved it. The chromed engine and "Von Dutched" fenders and tank were all affirmed where it counts, with young ruffians nodding their approval from sidewalks and yelling, "Nice bike, homes," from car windows.Personally, I've never felt so much like a neon sign — a neon sign that screamed, "Look at me! I'm on a Von Dutch!" It isn't just the signature pin-striping. The words "Von Dutch" are literally all over the bike. They're stamped into the metal of the tank tags and floorboards. The Von Dutch "flying eyeball" appears no fewer than 15 times — on the air box, swing arm and gas saver, among other places.Von Dutch, for those who don't know, isn't a fashion brand, as the millions of trucker caps and tees might suggest. It's the trade name of Kenneth Howard. The legendary SoCal pin-striper was best known for inspiring the Kustom Kar craze of the '50s and '60s, but his earliest work was in the '40s and on bikes.The Howard family has nothing to do with Von Dutch Kustom Cycles, however. After Von Dutch died in 1992, his children sold his name. A decade later, a number of builders competed for the license to build bikes under the Von Dutch moniker. Alex Mardikian, 35, who designed bikes for Patriot and Ultra before striking out on his own, won — and in 2003 set up shop as Von Dutch Kustom Cycles.The Dutch Angel is a fairly compact bike. Instead of adding inches to the down tube, Mardikian took it down a notch, squishing it an inch closer to the ground. Then he stretched it out — not eight inches, as is standard on a chopper — but three inches along the backbone to accent the feminine arch of the tank. With a nostalgic, spring-mounted seat pan, I felt more subtleties of the pavement than I was expecting for a softail. On one ride, I caught such major air on a minor bump that I actually whooped out loud before dropping back into the saddle, which was, thankfully, not so nostalgic. It was cushioned with gel beneath the hand-tooled leather.The riding position was upright and comfortable; at least it was comfortable at low speeds. Without a windshield, my body took the blow at anything over 60, making me feel as if I was going at least 20 mph faster. And when stopped, the pipes were so hot and the primary drive cover so wide that I felt like a Vegas showgirl when I kicked out my legs to clear them.Other examples of fashion superseding function: The digital speedo was unreadable in sunlight, the teardrop mirrors were too small to see anything more than a single car, there wasn't a logical place to carry luggage and the right turn signal was on the right grip — an annoying Harley-Davidson throwback that was difficult for me to operate without rolling off the throttle.Those aren't deal-breakers. They're just hints that the Dutch Angel is more of a showboat than a long hauler. I probably wouldn't ride it to Sturgis. Without a windshield, I'd age a year from the wind damage. And with a four-gallon tank and gas-gobbling engine, it might take me that long to get there. I'd trailer it, making sure to angle the bike so I could admire it from the rear view.*
Contact Susan Carpenter at susan.carpenter@latimes.com.*Von Dutch Kustom Cycle's Dutch AngelTest price: $46,600Engine: Billet Patrick Racing, four-stroke, V-twin, air-cooledDisplacement: 113 cubic inchesTransmission: Six-speedBore and stroke: 4 inches x 4.5 inchesMaximum torque: 125 pound-feetSeat height: 23 inchesDry weight: 486 pounds