ONE SHOW

92 | IRON & AIR

ONE SHOW

THE ONE SHOWO P E N R O A D

WORDS Jason Paul Michaels IMAGES Matthew Jones

The annual pilgrimage to the upper-left coast’s best motorcycle show.

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Now in its sixth year, The One Show (Portland, Oregon) came from humble beginnings to what’s now regarded as the one show you must attend. Perhaps it was creator Thor Drake’s intent by naming it such. Subliminal messaging aside, it is one of my favorite custom motorcycle shows.

This year, it seemed just about every make, model, and genre were represented among the sea of cus-toms. The mindful creations of the ICON 1000 crew were teeming with Mad Max style. Representing all that is next-generation custom chopper was the hand-cast creation the “Steam Hammer” by Cana-dian-based Highest Speed.

Then, there were the West America XR650s which have seen more landscape than the pioneers. Even Roland Sands’ Indian showed up for the party, as did Triumph’s Castrol Rocket. A sign of commercial-ization? No. More like a sign of acknowledgment. Thor and his team have done their part in helping tip the scales in the next-generation custom scene.

The OEMs continue to get behind this part of the industry, and it’s proof that things are changing. Motorcycling’s future continues to be written, due in large part to the ongoing growth of customiza-tion. To be part of that is something special. See you next year, Portland. n

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