Saturday, July 6, 2013

trials and tribulations bf5



     it's the beginning of july 2013.  northern california is in the middle
 of a scorching heat wave. the last 6 days i've felt as if
i was coasting downhill… in a good way. Like a 12year old boy
 who borrowed his older bothers superior and faster bmx bike
with out asking and is making his way home from the store 
with a pocket full of cheap candy, the summer air blowing through
his hair, sun on his face, warm and golden. Maybe it's because 
it's the beginning of summer, and i think around this time of year
my brain reverts back to when i was a kid and school finally was out,
 and it was time to live each day like school would never open
it's doors again.

       Around this time of year for the last 5 years I've buried 
my head deep inside a bike for the annual born free show.
 I remember the night
before the first show very well… sleeping on my front lawn
 next to a panhead i was building that was fired for
 the first time only a few hours
before. Catching a few Z's on the cool, damp grass
 one hand on the foot peg and the and the other
 clenched tight, covered in grease and blood
form all the scratches and burns, hoping that i 
wouldn't fall into a sleep deprived coma and wouldn't
 miss my ride. Caught a little cat nap in the
van, and then proceeded to climb in the back with the
 bikes to replace Chris's blown head gasket on his knuckle,
 not the easiest task while bumping
down the freeway. But it's always been a major point with
 me to be able to ride the bikes into the show.
 By the time we reached LA i was so nauseas 
with fatigue and anxiety that i asked Chris to pull
 over so I could puke. We made it to the show,
 rode in, saw friends, ate mexican food and enjoyed
a few dozen amazing choppers. It was the time of few
 and far between on the really cool bikes. Simple and pure and
 just everyone stoked on our 
little chopper "scene"

  Every year since it's been a similar scene in my life 
before the bornfree show. No matter how hard i tried to
 plan, there was barley enough time to
finish. I'd be a liar if i didn't say it was a rush. Those
 last few weeks…..18 hour days or more, throttling across town
 to buy that one missing nut or bolt.
Calling the chrome shop two days before the show
 pleading   "hey man, you think you'll have it done today?!"
 Calling on friends that have only polished
their pecker, to help machine polish some handmade
 part you have days of work into. The shop becomes
 pure chaos… and then in the final hour,
in the midst of all the scattered tools, spilled chemicals,
 parts, and rags this machine starts to take shape in
 front of you….. for the first time. Shiny and
proud  like a peacocks feathers opening wide….
 Your stomach starts to whirl, your hands may
 start to tremor a bit, you may even sprint to your fridge
to crack a cold one, just mellow out the flood of emotion
 that is starting to overtake you. But that's it…. it's heavy, and it's weight is priceless. 









      This year was really no different… Time came up fast on me,
 and as much as i planned  ahead when the final 2 months came i had miles to go. A major
change for me would be that i have a super talented friend that is down
 to help. Dylan was huge inspiration last year and helped with various pieces of the
project, this year was no different. The final 14 days of the build he flew
 down and we worked long and he crashed on the floor. I can get quite ornery hanging
around the same person for more than a few days…. 
when dylan and I rode to Iowa together this was not the case.
 As was these final days of the BF5 build. 
We respect and compliment each other. He's an amazing talent
 and humble and we got so much done and had fun doing  it.
 We hit some walls and fucked things
up but in the end the walls were tore down and unfucked
 the fucked. The bike show was on saturday…. thursday 
evening we fired up the bike, high fived, danced around,
cheers-ed beers and felt the glow.  Two weeks before  felt like 
months and minutes ago at the sometime. I slept like rock that 
thursday night…. I was so fucking happy the bike
was done. It was a little hard starting, but i'd deal with that in the
 morning(friday). Friday morning i got the shop early, i put a different
 carb on the bike and it fired right up,
again and again, i even rode it around the neighborhood. Smile ear 
to ear, tingle down the spine.  Loaded the bike up, grabbed the gf
 and hit the road and prepared for
a mellow 400 mile van ride down to the land of SOCAL.  
  
    5 Years later it's crazy to see the growth of bornfree. 
There are folks that i saw at the first one one just getting 
into choppers, that are full on chopper dudes now. And there
are the dudes like John Edwards that still seem to be doing it just 
like they always have. It's rad to see. I have a real respect for
 Mike Davis and how hard he works at his bike show.
I can barley plan a BBQ, I can't imagine having to organize 
his show. I don't know his partner very much more than a handshake. 
But being invited to the bornfree show 5 years in
a row has always been flattering… but more than anything a push
 to finish a bike that seems to make me go a little further than i 
normally would. One of the rules this year 
was -the bike must run-….. well it was last year too…. but many
 of the bikes that were in the show did not run. Fuck, i worked my
 ass off to make sure mine did, but if youve gone
through this process you know you hit some snags, so it 
wasn't a point of contention for me to argue, question
 or snitch on last years builders who couldn't get em to run. So
even though I had a year to finish my bike i couldn't really
 plan for the the Friday before the show events to unfold.
 It was one hell of a hot day…104 on the grapevine and the van
starts to overheat, I grew up with driving the grapevine with 
my dad in an old volkswagon van.. so i'm no stranger to the
 woes of the I5 in summer. But in a newer van i was
lil bummed, we cooled it down and motored on… in the final 
stretch the rear tire blew out, i had to laugh. And our friends 
van was missing the jack. On top of that the lil spare
doughnut tire was rotten and rusty, but we hobbled through 
east LA trying to buy a good spare. Hours later we're back on
 the road on the final stretch, oddly I was still smiling,
so happy to have this machine tucked into the van behind me
 safe and running. Then sunset crept behind the hills and i 
waved her a goodbye, and we drove into a black canyon,
and nosed into the born free site. Greeted by the show's purveyors 
with a handshake and smile i wheeled my bike into the show and 
set up my little zone. Having no idea i had already
been disqualified form the show… or technically disqualified
 from 1,2,3 place  and from voting on the other bikes. That was
 the hardest pill to swallow, because it's pretty fun looking
over everyones machines and deciding which ones you dig. But
 this was not the case this year, I was late and so were some 
others( 9?) so were were excluded from that part of the 
show. When i heard this i was pretty shocked….and I kinda 
figured it was the decision of a corporate wiener eater type
 that was doing this for their own personal gain. In the end
it turned out it was vote among the punctual builders and
 more voted for disqualification than to postpone it till morning,
 the day of the show. I came to the realization years ago
that my chances of winning bonfree were slim, And I'm so fine
 with that. My builds are probably a little too under done and 
truthfully i don't think it's my place in the chopper land.
But i guess one builder that voted for the disqualifications
 was quoted "they had all year to get here, we all made it"……….fuck really?
 That same guy can probably be 
quoted saying "it's all about fun" or "it's not about the competition"
……. well to me i would hate to have to look at anyone
 i voted off in the eyes. I would have never done that,
it's disrespectful and embarrassing. The show is called BornFree.
 I could see some of the newer guys doing it, because
 they're scared and want to have their day in the sun but i'd
rather have a spine and a heart sealed with a genuine 
handshake than the 15 minutes they deserve. 
Theres a lonely desert highway and flat tire in your future.
 A guy came up to me
with his stack of raffles tickets and said " if they pick my number
 the first thing i'm finding out is who voted against the other 
builders……and those dudes bikes will not be picked."
Pretty solid logic. A big thanks to those builders that voted to
 postpone to the actual day of the show….. that all bikes were present on. Shows class. 

   Once again, thanks to Mike Davis. I don't envy the position
 you were put in, or the amount of time and stress
 it must take to pull this thing off. In the end, it is just a show,
it is about fun and about 5 other positive adjectives. 
Rules are rules. I should have planned ahead better, but 
the show does and did go on. My name and myself promoted
it. Thanks to everyone that stopped by the 4Q shack
 and said hi…. it's really cool. Daniel thanks for letting me
 build you a bike that i would love to call my own and you were
cool enough to say you'd let it be in the raffle, if it got raffled off we'd just build you another. Too cool.
 Stay pure.  
                                                     max schaaf 2013

57 comments:

Ryan said...

Damn man, such a powerful fucking way of putting the experience into words. I have always looked up to you as a skateboarder. But over the years with the invention of this wonderful thing we call the internet and the creation of 4Q I look up to you as a solid human being. Good shit Max, thank you for all your hard work.

Livingston Montreux said...

Max you are class man, sorry not all of your "contemporaries" show the same courtesy you would extend. Your bikes rule and the underdone quality of them is what appeals to me. Keep Ruling!

Mike
www.folkdevilsmc.blogspot.com

WhitelinePsycho said...

A great piece of writing, one of your best. Regarding the whole, sour taste disqualification thing, it's at complete odds with the 'spirit' of the gig in my view and piss-poor form. Karma is a vengeful bitch with a long memory. Keep building, keep writing, keep dreaming. Big respect buddy, you're staunch.

Unknown said...

Hi! nice to meet you.
I`m koji. I`m Japanese. I can`t speak English. Sorry.


however,i want to become cool like you!



Kevin "TEACH" Baas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DK said...

No,Max...thank YOU!!!!
Thank you for building me the most bad ass piece of machine I could ever dream of!!!
ANd also for lettin me take a peek at the process of building it...cause thats where the magic is,man.
Just keep doin it ,man ...we all need it!!!

Vorhese said...

Damn man...

BUZZARDSALINAS said...

dont look back ...keep doin what youve always done...things always Blow Up!! people hate like a Mofo..Always a clean ridable bike ..Dylan is awesome...what u do every year has inspired more people than we can all imagine...much respect in all you do....from the guy who fakes a limp from skateboarding with his son...Love ya ..buzzard bait

Sickleboy said...

I usually lose my shit too easily , like when the 7-11 dollar coffee wednesday ends without notice or the line takes too long at the Mcdonalds on my way to work ...so I cant imagine spending a year building a sickle and have this happen!
It seems you've handled the situation with grace and diplomacy .
"Don't let the bastards drag you down" as the say , you work speaks for itself .Rules and made by squares to protect the man...and the general public from anal assault anyway i'm off track here ...had I a winning ticket yours was my choice no question.
Ignore the tide and enjoy the ride !
sickleville

Mike Davis said...

I want everyone who reads Max's post to understand this:: it's our fault to put all the builders in the position of having to vote on eliminating those who were not present. I don't think blaming the other builders is the right thing to do. It's our show and we try to do our best to be fair and respect everyone's opinion and sometimes it just not work out & I am truly sorry. This is was not personal decision ... some of my close personal friends and builders that traveled across the globe were not allowed in the vote....not a day has gone by since the show that I have not felt sick about what happened..

Unknown said...

You are very inspiring Max! I dig everything you make and your personality. Someday I hope to be in the position to have you build my dream bike.

Paulo - Joe King said...

Max, the more I know you the more a love you, bro!
Bike is PERFECT...after all is gone...that's what matters!

Unknown said...

I agree wholeheartedly with Koji.

Small City Cycles said...

This was my 4th year building a bike under the looming shadow of the Born Free deadline and I know just how you feel. The days go by fast and the nights faster. I was also one of the builders that showed up late on Friday and couldn't be part of the builder invite voting. Sad thing was I was in Orange already two days pryor and do to miscommunication didn't show up until 3. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed, but in the end I really have no one to blame but myself. Shit happens, sometimes for the better...sometimes not. I always think its funny that every year we all finish are bikes the night before. A whole year and somehow we pull it out the day before the show. Poor planning? Pressure junkies? Probably a combination of both. I know I'm guilty of both.
Personally If I won I would want to know it was against every invited builder there and without question. But, in the end it was their decision. One of the perks of getting there on time. In their defense (do they need one?) when I got there 3 hours after we were supposed to they had just barely begun to do the voting.
If there were no rules, deadlines of phone calls from Davis asking "where the fuck are you?" there is no way in Hell 32 dirtball bike building artistic types would ever show up on time.
It was an amazing show and all the invited builders really stepped it up and knocked it out of the park. I wouldn't take it to personal Max. You built a killer bike and thats all that really matters. Loved everything about it. Hopefully next year we'll both be lucky enough to be asked to do it again. Maybe even finish a few days early.
I doubt it.

Sickleboy said...

Same goes for you Mike , just take out bike and put in show to my previous post lol
Born Free is a hell if an event ! .. Thanks for all you do

Throwback said...

Thanks for clearifying what happend. I heard rumors but I couldnt believe it because it sounded to strange. I kept thinking, whats the differance the show is Saturday anyway and if a guy had to work or drive all night Friday to be there Sat morning to fire it up then so be it. But rules were in place and I'm sure said rules will be revised a bit for next year. Your bike was rad to say the least. It looked like one of the few in the show you could really get on and Jam though the streets, maybe even jump something.

Edu Mendes said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Edu Mendes said...

Hey Max! big respect to you. I know what's like to be under a deadline. Building bikes or organising a show.
I loved what you build and was great seeing you at Born Free. Only bummer was not being able to hang out more, I think I speak for Paulo and Daniel on this matter. But totally understandable considering the circumstances.
Just keep on doing it.

Unknown said...

Was great seeing your bike Max, Definitely one of my favorites.

WhitelinePsycho said...

Nice to see Mike D manning up and putting his thoughts and himself on the line here, woulda been too easy to say nothing. Kudos.

Luke said...

Well Max now you know how everyone that brought a bike to the show and never got the time of day due to the fact they were not an invited builder. You built a killer bike and are one of us, the un-invited builders! No trophy, no worrys. Be proud of that.

Mike Davis said...

Hey Luke the show is what you make it just as in life. We can't invite everyone we don't know everyone. It's about an opportunity and putting yourself out there. We had several guys this year that knowone has ever heard of ( no blog or instagram hero's) and that's what makes it fun and different from other shows..no one got paid and there's no vip room. The builders are treated as regular dudes because they are. The rules were there to be fair to all. If you want my job I will give it to you! We do our best( and it's just 2 dudes doing the whole show) promote all of our builders, vendors, sponsors and friends... So if we missed you we are sorry.

Luke said...

Mike, Born Free is the best show out there and everyone knows it. I personally go to support a good friend, check out thousands of killer bikes, and harass all the vendors. So no need to apologize, I had a great time. My point was there are a lot of people who go through all the pains of getting a bike built in time for the show, make it, hang there little tag and think that they are in the running for a trophy when there not. Trophies go to the invited builders. Right or wrong I don't know and I frankly don't care, trophies bring drama, obviously.

Mike Davis said...

Hey Luke, I wont make Max's blog to be my sounding board but here's the deal with awards..they suck! Trying to even find judges that are willing to walk around the entire show all day is nearly impossible. We get some old and some younger guys to judge..some you know & others you don't. The only thing we tell them is please get around everywhere to look and just pick your favorite. That's it! Its not an amca or proper meet. We don't tell them who or what to pick! If they pick the invited dudes they pickem... and we only pick one award! best in show. that's it. Lastly there are both sides to every story so before to drink the kool aid you should talk to others involved. I am done trying to explain it all on blogs ..my phone is always on and if you want to complain grab a number and give me a call.

B.C. said...

All good things suffer growing pains,and get tweaked along the way. I've seen many good cycle events get so crazy they vanish. BF is a gem and lets hope Mike & Co. keep it grass roots enough to hang on through pains.

max schaaf said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
max schaaf said...

Really appreciate everyone's comments... All of em. This was just my story of this years events leading to bornfree. Think mike shows how proud he is of his show and that says it all. Just like the builder is proud of his bike, if you really love it you stand up for it. Like some of the others builders said.... It was still a good time, and the bike is done. You learn from your mistakes. We're all lucky to have a passion the we've found, and as the above said you suffer through it's growing pains.

Sheabones said...

Some day - whether it's a year from now or 20 years down the road - you need to write a book. Hell, I'll even edit it for the low price of a cold sixer.

grant said...

We ALL live and learn.

Mike Davis and myself work extraordinarily hard all year long to pull off Born-Free in addition to our busy full time jobs, our own small business, the shop, projects, and families.
What happened on friday was the last resort plan. We did NOT think it would come to that and after close to a year of calls, emails, and texts with all our builders one of the few things we asked was to be there Friday at noon--no exceptions. We thought we said it to nausiumin all the incessant emails. We feel like the invited builders are our children all year long in the sense we want them ALL to build killer bikes, get to the show , and blow everyone's doors off and hopefully get the attention, business, and respect they earn and deserve.

Mike and i are nervous and worry for months and months over many of the builders and we want them all to prosper from their involvement with us and the show. It's all there for the taking. But with all there is at stake now with money, trips, etc, and all the builders are somewhat the center piece of Born-Free we have to have just a few rules and everyone knew when and where they needed to be that day. I was almost in shock and disbelief when the time came and so many guys were not there. we pushed it another hour and a half and had to make a decision. We wanted that time with the builders there with their undivided attention to check out each other’s bikes, talk, hangout, look back on the crazy year during all these builds.

It wasn't about those that made it against those that weren't there. It was about solving a problem. Mike and i wish we had a staff to take over the show's million needs on setup day while we hashed this out or waited longer, but there are only two of us that put the whole mother fucker on. Unfortunately there wouldn't be a better time to get everyone together the next day and have Mike and i there. That is why it was important to be there on time. If you have a job interview, a race, a shipping deadline to get your bike to yokohama, what happens if you are late to any of these things? You miss out. It sucks for everyone. It sucks for us just as much, believe me.

Max I know I only got to see you briefly Friday night which was more than I got to see some of the other guys, like Masa that came with a bike from japan, but regardless of what happened we are still proud to have all of you involved and you look in that corral of those 33 bikes and that was an amazing assemblage of iron and bikes that will be looked up to for a long time. Onward and upward.

CRIT said...

Another sweet build from the streets of Oakland, Max.

Keep building and keeping our town conditioned.

Unknown said...

Where can I find a list of the builders who voted to Dis qualify ??

The last thing I want to do is give those rat fucks any of my hard earned money..

lunatic said...

Well put Max.. It was cool talking to you at Rene from Dagos speed shops boothe.. Killer bike brotha..
Matt

Unknown said...

Interesting read Max. I have the utmost respect for you, always have.. you know this. But there was a deadline, right? We all knew the deadline was noon Friday, right? Grant and Mike emailed us numerous times, offering help, asking if we were on track and to let them know if we needed anything to move us along.. to get us to the show on time, to meet the deadline we all knew about.
Shit happens, time flies.. I was well ahead of schedule and shit happened and ended up with me having my BF bike done the day before I hit the road for California. I worked my ass off to get my anti-show-bike done and there on time, running and ready to ride.
When I was asked to put something together for Born Free, I took the deadline very seriously. A mans word is all he has really, I put mine down and said I would be there, on time..
When we had our "builders" meeting we all voted, then we all voted again. I can't recall a single dude who voted to let the late people in.. both times. Mike walked around to each person and asked "yes or no" (yes for letting late people in, no for excluding them from the "competition"), I don't recall a single "yes".. Take it for what its worth..
I don't get involved with politics or glad handing, or back patting, or outright ball-cupping.. I am just a guy on a mountain who has fucked with bikes his entire life.. I was glad to be part of this years Born Free and hope the show continues. Mike and Grant have the biggest shit sandwich ever to deal with and I am amazed at how smoothly it runs.
In the end, we all have our opinions. Keep on keeping on Max.
-Trent

Jon said...

Bullshit. All I can say. What happened to the "freedom" part? I whether ride my bike and get lost in the woods. Bike is amazing Max. You should be proud. Fuck everyone else.

ben said...

Have a little story I thought I'd share, for what it's worth. I've been working on my first full build for a year and a half. This is is the second Born Free I'd hoped to bring the bike to, but didn't. I wanted to do it right and do it myself (with a little help from my elders), that meant dealing with bad surprises and taking the time to do it right. A few days out from this year's born free my carb was still off and I couldn't get it dialed, but I knew I was close, I was slammed at work and knew it would be another rush to make the show. So it goes. So I sold a buddy my raffle tickets, stayed home and sorted my carb. It's the first Born Free I've missed since BF2, but I got the bike running like a champ and I rode it all day Saturday, ripping around SF. I wouldn't trade that ride for anything. I've been following your builds since I was beyond green, and your work and perspective have both been an inspiration. You build for yourself and for the experience, and you do pretty good job of communicating what's good in that. Just keep doin' it, trophy's and rules are just there because anxious people won't stop asking about them.

Eric said...

round peg, square holes

Kegkiller said...

Just want to say thank you for the inspiration .

Sidecar Roy said...

Fuck the Haters! Year of the Snake, down with the Fake! It's a pretty classic situation really. Maybe they will change the name from Born Free to Born on Time. If only we were all as perfect as those few. Yeah, everybody took all year, jammed on it the last two weeks, barely got it done in time, so what if somebody was a few hours late? Max was all done on time and hit some snags just traveling within the state. Imagine going across country and not having any snags cause you are broke and can't afford a brand new truck or whatever. They'll get a flat with no spare, there's no doubt in my mind! Im kinda tired of the "Builder" nomenclature myself. If you aren't building your own bike, even with a little help, then what are you doing? Just riding someone else's hard work. It's part of the whole experience, knowing you put that shit together with your own two hands. It makes in soooo much more satisfying. Everything cool gets played out eventually. Posers will come, then they will go. All of the real MFERs will still be real. Max, you don't need any of our encouragement, you are already there, just keep on keepin on. Much Love.

Anonymous said...

...bike is fucking awesome, sorry to hear about the "turn of events", after all that hard work. I guess as things get bigger, they also become "stiffer" and a little less "free" but then again, wtf do i know... Like someone already said earlier, you built a killer bike (again) and that is what matters and will remain. Greets from Spain.

Juan Carlos said...

Maybe my thinking is off & it doesn't really matter because I don't have a dog in the fight. But

Most of the videos leading up to BF5 speak to where the "scene" is and this might be a good glimpse into that.

When you say there are only two of us it's totally understandable how difficult that must be given the size of the event. But own it. When you ask the "children" to vote you've gone from born free to born to follow popular opinion and born slave to the "show". If you harped on time as long as you did it should have been an easy decision.

As a "builder" who went through it and know how hard it was yet can't find the understanding and compassion for your fellow "builder" (lets call it man instead) then you've gone from Born Free to born slave to what you do. Being right and on time are more important to you than who you are.

Then again I've only covered miles in my own shoes.

Nick said...

Death To Diplomacy.

max schaaf said...

0nce again... in the days of the -death of blogs- due to
instabrag. its really awesome to this whole diatribe.
like i said, I'm losing zero sleep over this. I respect the people involved in the show for all their work. Just wish things would have gone down different.
Trent.... you know there is a mutual respect between us, and we've had some good conversations (usually not about motorcycles) you're right about the phrasea man is only as good as his word, but words are words, but i think a mans actions are more important. and yes i did get the emails about time.... i think? just like the last year i got the emails that the bikes were to run. But honestly i completely disagree with the outcome of the vote, and it's, simply because it makes no sense to me..... whats to gain? money? a trophy? less competition?...... figured there be a little more brotherhood. and like todd from small city said
"Personally If I won I would want to know it was against every invited builder there and without question"
it happened it's over. you learn a lot about people during times of struggle and greed.

Dave Polgreen said...

Yeah I was one of the builders that didn't make it either, I was bummed at myself--really bummed. I can give you the many reasons why I didn't get there on time, but they don't matter, really. On that Friday I had my bike pretty much all together by 12 or 12:30 and I planned on riding it down to the show, but I couldn't get it to start, so in my mind, since having the bike running was so important, I figured why bother showing up right at noon or soon thereafter without a running bike. Since there were two crucial things we had to do (1. be there on time, and 2. have a running bike), I figured having it running was more important, since I figured I would be there by 3 or so. Fuck, I was only 8 miles away from the show, I could have gotten there within 15 minutes if I knew what was going down. But hey, I was forced by my own idiocy to choose between two shitty decisions (be on time or have a running bike) and I just chose wrong.

It's not like I thought I was gonna win anything but I wanted that shot--I was so proud of my bike and so stoked on it, I was really emotional actually about my own failure. The other builders are for the most part the people that I look up to in the bike building world and those are the guys that I hope will take the time to see all the little stuff I killed myself over to make my bike what it was. I was looking forward to spending all day Friday really looking the bikes over and getting to talk to the builders to learn what they did. I missed so much killer stuff that everyone did, it sucks. The builder bikes this year were to me, the most insane group yet. There were at least 5 bikes that, if I had won the raffle, I would have picked and barely changed a thing (which is almost impossible for me).

I can't blame the builders who voted against letting us in, as I can't say for sure how I would have voted if I was in their shoes. I think Mike and Grant were correct to make the builders decide--let peers decide amongst themselves how to handle it, if they just let all of us late people in, what was the point of them making the rules in the first place. By letting the builders decide amongst themselves, us failures actually got a second chance.

Anyways, fuck, I didn't mean for this to be this long. Bottom line--love the show, loved the bikes built this year, and mad at myself for fucking up. The end.

Louis David said...

Incredible reading all of this

Max : thanks for your words, of truth and heart. You built a killer bike. And you have the right to just put your feelings into words. Doesnt change the reality, but shure helps see things differently.

Peace and Love

Louis David

Matt Alberti said...

there is something profoundly beautiful about coming together as a community to honor what others have created. i am sad for you max. i am sad for the other disqualified builders. and i am sad for the entire community. what's done is done. that said, what's done shouldn't be forgotten.

i honor your honesty about what transpired as well as your attitude about moving forward. i am happy for you because it's the sort of character i have come to expect and appreciate from you based on what you put out to the world.

finally, i just want to say that i really appreciate all of your creations. your builds are awesome but i also really appreciate your writing, videos, apparel, etc. you have a really cool voice, max. it's unique and i find it to be very pure and inspirational. i get the sense that you are way more creator than consumer. ...which is really the coolest way to be. i am sure that countless others feel the same. and that's something that no one can take away from you.
thanks max for sharing your work. it's a privilege to experience what you share.

Anonymous said...

Damn, I thought I had a rough time, you know, the broken leg, blood clot, full time 9-5 job, new baby, bills to pay, customer bikes, parts.. two months to build a bike out of my own pocket. Man, I feel for you, lifes a bitch when you have so little free time.

I've never once been interested in building for shows, Born Free is the first I've ever done that for, I did it cause it was about all the good things I love about bikes.. riding and the people, bonding with fellow builders. If you let all that builder shit get in the way, I'm sorry you missed the good stuff. Given your impressive catalog of skate competitions, magazines, bikes etc. it would seem that your "winning" plate has been over flowing all your life. So, as one of the builders that voted no and looked you in the face, I am really surprised any of that even remotely mattered to you. The vibe at vote time was good, we all supported each other,I was there on time and had plenty of time to talk to all the builders and trip out on their bikes. It was fucking great, I'm sorry you missed it. It was the same from my perspective the day after. I think most were surprised that certain folks didn't make the deadline, then there where those that didn't make it that didn't surprise anyone.

I'm not a skater, but I assume that when you competed, if you didn't show up at ramp time your were out?

At the end of the day, its all about love, family and friends, the vote didn't effect any of that for me. I had some serious obstacles to overcome and I was prepared not to make them. If I didn't, so be it, I tried and did my best. I think that is all that matters. Respect goes both ways, respect our other brothers in the game that busted ass and made it, by showing up, and if you don't make it, respect them by saying, "shit, I'm sorry I couldn't make it, but I did my best." It's all gravy.

Custom motorcycle shows are fucking stupid, awards are fucking stupid, but the train is rolling and one has to figure out if that train is for them or not. Born Free as far as shows go, is everything every other show isn't. For me, it is more about the times we live, the people, and family. We only live once and if you get caught up in the stupid 8th grade bullshit, you are missing out on so much.

I wish you nothing but happiness, ride your choppers and be well.

cro

max schaaf said...

well Cro... first of all you really have no idea what is going on in my life. Or the amount of struggle or
work it took to get where i am today.
And if last year was a year of -who had more hardships- you would definitely win. I commend you on your recovery and your drive.
Here is a problem that I have.... I am free to write this story, It's my life. It is far from "8th grade bullshit" I am a grown man, addressing an issue. I think too many people eat shit, bite their lip, and bend over to be part of precious social circle jerks... that really mean nothing.
You have won that bike show twice... with amazing bikes. you say none of that matters.... you sure seemed to enjoy the outcome. And you should.
AS far as skateboarding goes... If i would of showed up for the contest on the day of... they would of let me skate. Talk about brotherhood... Skaters really looked out and stood up for each other.
But yes i understand your points... I don't agree but that's life. You make so many comparisons.. it's seems to always be a point with you. I don't compare myself to you because I Don't really know you And you Don't know me. MY build was sacred, and a beautiful journey... and i wrote that above. So to clarify... Building the bike and and being a part of the show was and is for the last 5 years a very cool experience. But i stand behind my statement of being let down by the vote and that personally i would never do that.
thanks for taking the time to write your views.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely, you put your views out there and your fans and people heard. You have a large voice. Aside from you personal struggles, that are your own, you basically dissed the other builders which is totally fucking lame, so I stood up for us. Is that not brotherhood? No one else that was voted out is dissing the other builders. IT was the rules, people that kept their commitment stood by them, from day one. So WE did stick up for each other and we did the day after, myself included. Agree or disagree, your view is yours, but the fact remains you didn't stand up for the other dudes, YOU didn't partake in this thing you call "brotherhood" you did Max, and that is cool. But don't slam everyone else if you felt bad about the result. So that is more to my point. I know most of all the cats that where there on Friday, and I can say with a large degree of certainty, that they were all good, hard working, honest dudes with character and I respect them, and as you wouldn't do what they did that day, nor would I if in your shoes, diss any of them privately, or on an open forum, that my friend is not classy.

You can always call me.. again.

cro

max schaaf said...

i stood up for me and the other disqualified builders. I stood up for what i think is right. I took my time to write my piece knowing there would be disagreement and defensiveness.

Wheelman said...

Max,
I really dug your build this year man. You nail it every time. Not shining your ass... I mean it.

I was struck by the number of cool scoots and pure unadulterated chopper porn. It was all overwhelming and flooded my brain even before I walked through the gate. Born Free was all that I hoped for and much, much more. A shout out to Mike and Grant for sure.

As for me, my beloved Shovel "Grettah" spit parts and oil all over the Cali freeways. This year, we made it there and back again from the Family ranch in Vacaville. Unlike last year when we roasted on the side of I-5 (very poor choice of routes on my part) with a busted exhaust stud. This was a triumph for Grettah and myself. I would not trade the experience.

Planning to get down to your shop in September when I make the next journey to see mom. I would like to meet you and see what you got on the lift.

All the best,
Jeff

JLuf said...

My two cent if I may. As an outsider and as someone who unfortunately cannot make it to the west coast this time of year do to work obligation and a new baby I understand both points. I side with the disqualified builders, that being said I don't envy Grant and Mike. I get the deadline but shit isn't this a chance for everyone to get together and enjoy themselves. With the amount of blood sweat and undoubtably tears that go into these builds I would assume the personal satisfaction of having people walk up and shake your hand and tell you how much they appreciate your build would be a amazing feeling, and winning after being voted on by peers must be even better. Why not allow yourself a chance to "beat" everyone. That being said I appreciate all of the blog coverage of a great event. As for your build Max, you have outdone yourself. I see your bikes every year at the Brooklyn invitational and look forward to it all year long. As a skateboarder with over 20 years down I think we may have a different view of things, especially going through the lean years of the early 90's when skateboarding wasn't exactly the coolest thing. Keep doing what your doing, keep writing your blog, building your bikes and riding your skateboard. Thanks for the years of entertainment and inspiration.

scott-tbonizzle-jones said...

I don't know how to respond to this without getting devoured but, I'll never forget being on the side of the road helping my friend Masa kick his bike that overheated 15 mins away. He showed up at my shop tues afternoon with his bike and suit cases full of his complete motors top end. had it back together and said to me " im done ! i want to help you Scott " . Back to the side of the road....he told me to go without him . No way in hell and I'm leaving you here. Masa helped me for 2 solid days . wens,thursday and friday morning while his wife and lil girl stayed in a hotel room. We got him running and made it to the show . the look on my wife crying as masa and I rolled in saying, we were too late was brutal. I like the rest of the builders knew about the noon deadline. And I gave it my all. But I can't getting passed being bummed for Masa and his family . He put me first before his family and test riding his bike before the show . Ps Max I absolutely loved your bike

ed said...

Hey Cro- cool story bro

scott-tbonizzle-jones said...

Cont. at the end of the day I can only blame myself. Shit , I knew at 11:30 I had no chance on making it to the venue by noon. It wasn't till prob 12:15 when I took it off the lift , and began kicking. Oh then realized I had to send someone for gas. I had a few issues on the way to venue as well since I had to ride it with no shakedown. So all said and done . I chose my path and made my own decision. It's motorcycles and life.

Jay Cruz said...

Damn,
I had no idea any of this happened. What a bum out! I can see both sides of the coin but c'mon... these guy's should have been able to cast a late vote or something. I also end up doing things up till the last minute and hate that side of my creativity. I'm torn on this one. I will say this though, all you cats are the most amazingly talented people I've ever met and I'm proud to call you guy's friends. I don't know how any of you do it. Grant and Mike blow my mind with everything they've accomplished and all you builders... fuck, you guy's are going to be worshipped as cycle gods for the next hundred years!
Thanks for all the inspration!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm not a builder, I've never had to build a bike under the weight of a deadline. I've yet to even make it to Born Free. But ever sense I got out of the marines in 2007 I've wanted to be able to build bikes for a living and I'm still working my ass off to reach that goal. So as it is Max and Caleb are two out of handful of people I've looked up to for a long time now for what they do and what they create. So to say I'm timid about posting anything at all on this would be an understatement, however holding my tongue on this wold be an exercise in futility.
As I read this post and the 55 comments that followed a couple things kept coming to mind. The first was what brotherhood really means, its a word that caries a lot of weight with me and after a couple deployments to Iraq its a word I feel intimately attached. The other thing that came to mind was an old episode of the great biker build off on discovery channel... I know but bear with me here... It was the episode where Indian Larry was up against billy lane, they had a hand full of weeks to finish there bikes and ride then together to either Laconia or a smoke out, I don't remember and it doesn't matter. Now the deadline was closing in and billy lane couldn't get his knucklehead to kick over as the producers of the show nervously hovered. When Indian Larry showed up to Billy's shop the bike still was having carb issues and the deadline finally came, still no running knucklehead... The producers of the show went to Larry and said according to the rules Billy's disqualified but that the decision was Larry's. Larry being Larry said fuck the rules he just wanted to ride with his brother and didn't want to win by default, so he grabbed some tools and started helping billy get his bike running. This may seem like a weak example to prove a point, but to me that right there is the definition of brotherhood in this crazy world of motorcycles we find ourselves in... So I ask, where is that brotherhood in this case? To say the vibe at the vote as good seems almost irresponsible to me also... Was the vibe good for T-Bone as he pulled in and had to look at the face of his crying wife telling him he was to late? Or Teach, another man I look up to, was the vibe good with him as he said he voted and stepped back not feeling good about the whole thing? I'd say the vibe was only good with the people who voted others out... But again, I wasn't there and I've never built a bike on a deadline... In the end I just hope that one day I can be one of the people with the honer of being an invited builder, and that when I get there I'm met with brotherhood... As for mike and grant, I think it would be foolish to lay the blame for any of this at others feet. Two men putting together something like this when most of us can't even put a BBQ together is something to be applauded. That's all I'll say, I still look up to all those guys and hope next year won't be effect by this year. I hope in the end brotherhood will wipe the slate clean and once again bring us together under a common banner.
-Stay the course.

Mike Davis said...

It's a bike show..take it for what its worth. A guy did not shake ur hand or we did not invite you to be a builder? We can't invite everyone. Build a bike bring to the show and enjoy what you have done and maybe others will too. If you have a strong case for a builder invite present it to someone in person. Posting on this message board is not the right way. Max is a big boy he does not need more guys anonymously posting.