Editors Note
Hi, my name is Tim, I ride motorcycles. Does that make me a biker? Who cares if it does? Seems like nowadays a lot of people are overly concerned with the “lifestyle” as it be. Well once again what the fuck is the “lifestyle”? I mean, I ride pretty much daily, I work on bikes at least 4 days a week and I spend just about all my money on motorcycles. So am I a biker? Who gives a fuck, the point is I like to get out and ride. Whether it’s to work, the grocery store or an organized “run” It’s just what I do. I could care less about looking like a biker, or hanging out where bikers hang. It’s never been about that for me, I just want to have fun and live life. I guess the point of my rant this issue is, fuck the details man we are all here for the same reason. I don’t need to copy a page out of a 70’s easy rider or model my attire after a club member to feel secure about what I do. I build my bikes and I ride my bikes, and that’s where it ends. It’s not a lifestyle I picked, I just kind of fell into loving motorcycles. Ya feel me? FTP TW
BIKES mobtown cafe 6 / vander’s pan 22 / ‘86 evo sportster 32 / velvet’s ‘60 pan 50 CARS geisey’s ‘30 ford 58 PRODUCT REVIEW tt&co lamplighter headlight 28 PROFILES renaissance biker 44 / music, guts & leather 30 / jebby shack 54 / blue moon kustoms 64 FEATURES it’s better in the wind 14 / brotherhood & bikers 29 / collaboration 38 / rusty spokes 67
Staff Rich Gohlinghorst Publisher/Editorial Director rich@lowsidesyn.com
Tim Wise Editor/ Senior Writer tim@lowsidesyn.com
Eric Wheatley Art Director/Graphic Design eric@lowsidesyn.com
Doug Barber Senior Photographer doug@lowsidesyn.com
Deb Fitch Staff Photographer deb@lowsidesyn.com
Magic Ken Staff Photographer ken@lowsidesyn.com
Contributing writers and photographers:
Paul Henry Harrington / Scott Toepfer / XsSpeed / Vander / Tyler Greg Giesey / Natalee DeHart / Tim Showalter / Denis Jenkins
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Contributions of articles and photos are welcome. Please send files to Submissions@lowsidesyn.com before submitting any material. Photographs should be high resolution, and of high quality. All work published may be used on our website as well as the magazine. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without permission. While the publishers have taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, it is a condition of purchase of this magazine that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication, or from the use of information contained herein and the publishers make no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein. The entire contents of LowSide magazine are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any way without written permission from the publisher. Copyright © 2011 Lowside Syndicate ISSN 2153-3547
photos by Deb Fitch
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T
here is still today, amongst fabricated man, some who ebb and flow through life against the grain, holding fast to the ideals of a time that was not their own. Refusing to get lost in a sea of plastic affinity, they understand the intrinsic value of clutching a warm cylinder head on a cold day in the desert; they feel the importance of pursuing the road less traveled. The vengeance of their lost generation shakes their souls and in a series of moments strung together by chance and risk they are rediscovering the elements that once defined a man. These are the men who
know it is better in the wind.
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photos by Magic Ken
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Intro & photos by Doug Barber I met Sean Sweeney years ago at a local bike show. What set him apart from the crowd were his home built old school bike, tall stature, and quiet demeanor. It wasn’t until later a friend informed me that Sean was a local legend, and contributor to a national chopper magazine. Now I’m impressed, here is somebody who is quietly doing his own thing without flaunting it. Every time we met, Sean would invite me over to his place. Finally I was able to make one of his annual picnics, got to see his digs, meet his family and friends. His shop/barn was a museum, his family down home; his friends encompassed the entire spectrum of bikerdom. That did it; I had to do an article on Sean.
“I love to hit swap meets and the internet to find vintage stuff that has a lot of soul.” says Sean “I also like to fabricate things I imagine in my head.”
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