This is a repost of mine from 2012, but I love these photos.
Once again, the ever-so-famous Bill Ray photographs taken of the Berdoo Angels in 1965 for LIFE magazine that never made the cut. I don't know about the rest of you, but these never and will never get old to me. I get chills every time that I go back and stare at them. It's the fucking epitome of what modern day chopper dudes emulate. Myself included. Take bikes for example, I try to put bikes together with a general goal of accomplishing a look from this era. I personally think that I do a pretty good job at it until I see these photos and notice the little raw details and parts that were put there because of cool factor and somewhat badass functionality, which end up making most other shit look like the chopper version of Payless Airwalks. To sum it up, the bikes piss style. Bikes aside, these photos do such a good job of capturing the true spirit of being there. When I look at them I can hear the ticking of the pushrods and the motor-over-exhaust sound that is common with Harleys of this era. I can feel that early morning chill that is felt while riding at 6am, wearing a hoodie and long sleeve under your jacket and vest. The light shining off of the tanks and nicely worn Bates seats. The shot of excited adrenaline that you get from the first sip of cold beer at the destination after a full day of riding. These mother fuckers ruled it and so did the photos.
