USA Trip Report (日本語版 こちらです)
>>Goshu / >>Sumiya / >>Matsuura / >>Steve
Hello everyone!
This is Map-Matsuura from MOON Custom Cycle Shop.
This week, Steve and I present our trip reports!
For earlier details, like the flight over the day before the event, please check out my blog (in Japanese). 『今週のマッチャン』
On Saturday June 30, we left the motel at 5:30AM.
The typical morning in this area, cloudy and overcast... for someone not used to this, it felt like the entire day would be like this. Also, I noticed a lot of FIREWORKS for sale on the roadside. I didn't understand until it was explained to me later. Turns out that July 4th is Independence Day, the Birthday of USA and they celebrate with fireworks.
In not too long of time, we arrived at Oak Canyon Ranch in Orange County.
As everyone was setting up before the show officially opened, the MOONEYES booth was ready.
In front of the MOONEYES booth was this red Rikuo (Japanese built Harley-Davidson) on display.
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Compared to Born Free 3 from last year, it was twice the size in every way. More vendors, food stands and definitely double the amount of bikes.
Although I don't use a SLR camera, My Nikon does the job and I took a lot of photos during this trip. Please enjoy the pictures, I also took some of the cars in the parking lot...
Look at how large this area is. I noticed a lot of 70's style vans! So cool.
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Entrance fee to the event is FREE!
However, there are a few rules that you must abide to.
In short, all is welcome but they don't allow colors etc. and there was an announcement about no pets into the event area.
At 10:00AM, the event was officially open. The general parking lots were linked together...
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This year, I saw a lot of early shovels and pans. Also saw many people using MOON parts like the MOON Oil Pressure Gauge.
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It wasn't just motorcycles, there was plenty of food vendors as well!
This was my favorite (below), Map's Pick! My eyes were drawn to early Shovelheads this year...
Lastly, the Best in Show winner of Born Free 4 also got a trip to this year's Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show.
The event ended without any issues to report. I also bought a raffle ticket this year in hopes of winning one of the two bikes but I didn't win. After the raffle drawings were done, the crowd started to leave slowly. Vendors began closing up shop and MOONEYES did too.
Right as we left the event area, Chico's Dually suddenly made a stop on the side of the road!
It actually was a good thing because we got to take pictures of all the people driving by leaving the area!
Everyone was so friendly at this event, even with the language barrier. A lot of my photos of the car and bikes were blurry but I managed to get some. Once the Dually was good to go, we left.
After the event, we stopped at the Shifter's anniversary party. You can see photos from Sumiya's report...
The next day, July 1 (Sun) we started early in the morning, ate donuts and went to the Orange County Swap Meet. Sumiya has photos on his report about this. From there we headed to Pomona to the NHRA Museum.
I think most readers might be aware of the museum.
I have been here before but it was about 10 years ago. I remember the building from the outside but the inside was completely renewed and different.
I checked out the MOON Exhibit and all the MOONEYES History on display!
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I saw a photo of Dean Moon when he was the president of SEMA.
I remember going to the SEMA show about 10 years ago as well. I think even then it was still more analog and mechanical but today it's more or less old bodies with new technology inside.
By the way, at the morning cruise we went to, I saw this '69 Camaro with a completely modern inside, engine and drivetrain. It will used the Black Plate license too. Super nice!
Sorry, slightly off topic. Now back to NHRA Museum.
I saw so many vintage and original dragsters lined up on display. It was very interesting to see.
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OK, how about this lamp stand.
Dean Moon made it from old broken parts. The history alone tied into this lamp is documented as well showing what parts came from what vehicle and when it happened.
There were showcases with vintage helmets and jackets too.
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200 Mile Club and others.
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Race motorcycles and VW event!
Speaking of which, I wonder how many are in preparation for HCS2012 at the end of the year?
Speaking of which, I wonder how many are in preparation for HCS2012 at the end of the year?
As you can see, there is a lot to view here at the NHRA Museum.
The MOONEYES 60th Anniversary Exhibit is scheduled to run until January next year. If you have the chance and are in the area, we highly recommend coming to the NHRA Musuem to see it firsthand.
After we left the museum, we went down the block to a Mexican Restaurant called EL MERENDERO for lunch. It was so good!! I can't wait to go there again...
After we left the museum, we went down the block to a Mexican Restaurant called EL MERENDERO for lunch. It was so good!! I can't wait to go there again...
So that is my USA Trip Report!
Don't forget to check out the other three reports as they are slightly different.
Hope you enjoyed my report. I always update my blog too so if you get a chance, please check it out 『今週のﾏｯﾁｬﾝ』.
Thank you for reading.
Map...
USA Trip Report (日本語版 こちらです)
>>Goshu / >>Sumiya / >>Matsuura / >>Steve
