An Enlightening interview with Billy Lane

By DonV                                                                                                                    www.choppersinc.com

   Billy Lane’s cutting edge insight, presenting the custom motorcycle as both a work of art and mode of transportation has rocketed him to the level of legendary custom motorcycle fabricator very quickly. His use of intricate detail and new technologies will create high demand for the motorcycles he builds and rides. Billy is definitely no slacker, he has earned an Associate of science degree in mechanical engineering from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Florida International University.

  The bikes Billy builds, he rides they just don’t sit around till the next show comes along. The people lucky enough and with a lot of cash pay without question for the Choppers created by Billy because they are purchasing a hand made one of a kind motorcycle.  So I present to you the unadorned answers to the questions I posed to Mr Billy Lane. The “BIGGEST SLUT IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY” (as quoted directly from Billy himself)

1 What was the first bike you owned while in college?

 Billy:  1950 PANHEAD CHOPPER, IN PIECES

2 Was your dad a custom builder of cars and street rods?

 Billy:  RESTORER OF CORVETTES & OLD MG’S AS A HOBBY

3 Do you credit YOUR BROTHER the most with helping you learn the ins and outs of the motorcycle?

 Billy:  YES

4 Who or what was your inspiration for becoming a custom builder in the first place?

 Billy:  ARLEN NESS, RON FINCH, SONNY BARGER, DANNY LYON

5 Did you think that when you began to build choppers you would become the sensation you are today?

 Billy:  NO WAY. I JUST DID IT TO EARN BEER MONEY.  THE SUCCESS CAME SLOWLY AND GREW UNEXPECTEDLY.

6 What atmosphere needs to be present to encourage your thought process when you are planning a build?

 Billy:   BEER, BURBON, LOUD MUSIC

7 Do you consult other builders for ideas and technical questions?

 Billy;  NO

8 Are you planning for a big expansion at Choppers INC?

 Billy:  NO, HELL NO

9 Is all of your machine work and fabrication done right on the premises?

 Billy:  PRODUCTION IS DONE IN ILLINOIS AND DENVER, ALL CUSTOM WORK AND SHEET METAL FABRICATION IS DONE HERE.

10 Why do you feel choppers where never recognized as “relevant” by the motorcycle industry? And now they all want a piece of the pie!

 Billy:  CHOPPERS SIGNIFY TAKING PARTS OFF, AND THE INDUSTRY IS ABOUT MAKING PARTS YOU CAN PUT ON.

11 Do you feel it had to do with the outlaw image of the chopper?

 Billy:  PARTLY, I THINK IT IS MORE ABOUT MONEY WITH MOST PEOPLE

12 Were magazine articles and interviews about your now famous 6 Gun parts a big key to your success?

 Billy:  NO. EVERYONE STILL THINKS JESSE INVENTED THEM. THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS IS THE FACT THAT I KNOW CHOPPERS, AND HAVE ALWAYS ONLY DONE CHOPPERS.

13 What do you do when you are not riding and touring other then build bikes?

 Billy:  TIPPING STRIPPERS, SURFING, SNOWBOARDING, WORKING OUT

14 How many miles do you think you have logged on the road since you started riding?

 Billy:  CLOSE TO 500,000

15 What is your favorite bike rally? And why so?

 Billy:  STURGIS, BECAUSE THE RIDING IS SO GREAT, AND THE LAND CHANGES SO RAPIDLY AS YOU GO.

16 What would you consider the best road trip you ever had?

 Billy:  THE NEXT ONE I TAKE

17 Who has comprised the best group you have ridden with?

Billy:  ME, GOING ALONE

18 Are you planning any big runs for 2004?

 Billy:  MANY. FLORIDA TO VEGAS THEN TO LAUGHLIN IN APRIL, AND FLORIDA TO STURGIS IN AUGUST.

19 Do you feel that being in person at meets and rallies is a big key to your success also?

 Billy: YES, I LOVE PEOPLE. THIS IS A GREAT INDUSTRY, DESPITE THE ASSHOLES. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW TO KNOW I’M REAL, AND THEY GET THAT IN PERSON.

20 Now that you have reached the status of legendary custom bike builder, how has your life changed Billy?

 Billy:  RESPECT FROM YOUNGER GUYS, GET TO MEET AND RIDE WITH THE REAL LEGENDS, PEOPLE BRING ME LOTS OF BOOZE & BEER.

I would like to personally thank Jennifer Schneider, Billy’s Lovely personal assistant for her help in making this interview possible.  “THANKS JEN”