Airstream Inspired Motorcycle

[dmreilly10000]

Jesse James of West Coast Customs built this sidecar motorcycle to commemorate Airstream's 75th anniversary. Inspired by a 1936 Clipper trailer, it boasts a 113 cubic inch S&S V-twin, a 5-gallon gas tank in the sidecar tail, and triple Brembo brakes.



Jesse James West Coast Customs Airstreamer - Picture of the Airstreamer

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by dmreilly10000

Jesse James of West Coast Customs built this sidecar motorcycle to commemorate Airstream's 75th anniversary. Inspired by a 1936 Clipper trailer, it boasts a 113 cubic inch S&S V-twin, a 5-gallon gas tank in the sidecar tail, and triple Brembo brakes.



Jesse James West Coast Customs Airstreamer - Picture of the Airstreamer

Bought the Tee shirt when we were at Jackson centre in September!

We were told the bike is supposed to wind up there once they finish taking it to bike shows.

[dmreilly10000]

Here is a much much better set of pictures from West Coast Choppers' website:

West Coast Choppers - Jesse James Airstream Chopper & Sidecar

[willyd]

Great looking machine - wish I could afford to purchase one.

[moosetags]

That's really neat!

Brian

[85MH325]

I love the look of the '36 Clipper. I used to be an avid motorcycle rider. I put 60k miles on a BMW R100RT in three years. All that said:

There's an old saying that "anything out of place is ugly". Take eggs as an example. There's nothing more beautiful than two eggs, sunny side up with the trimmings on a plate on the breakfast table. A fork full of those very same eggs on the lapel and breast pocket of your new $1,000 three-piece suit, on the other hand, is pretty ugly.

The look of the '36 Clipper on a motorcycle I find out of place and frankly, jarring. And, other than rivets and aluminum, I really don't see much of a resemblence. My first thought was of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus. And, can anyone explain how faux revolver cylinders with "Jesse James" stamped on the casing heads fits with Airstream? Yeah... I get the connection... Jesse James... bank jobs... revolvers... signature pieces... but once again I find them "out of place". It just comes off to me as... well... a shiny old Dnepr or Ural with rivets and a side hack?

Roger

[cameront120]

I'm not a fan of his bikes. I'll stick to my Triumphs.

[dmreilly10000]

Originally Posted by cameront120

I'm not a fan of his bikes. I'll stick to my Triumphs.

In my opinion they are really more "art" than practical motorcycle. I couldn't imagine riding one of those any distance with no rear suspension. At least he didn't put "ape hanger" handle bars on it.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by cameront120

I'm not a fan of his bikes. I'll stick to my Triumphs.

I'd have to agree.

I'm not much into custom bikes, show bikes & such, but I do appreciate and admire the design work and skill that goes into their creation.

In this case however, the Airstream bike doesn't look like a very professional job compared to most of the custom bikes I have seen. Maybe the picture doesn't do it justice!