After last years success of the 1st Chop n Rod show, I was looking forward to this years, I did however have concerns regarding space, there wasn’t a lot left last year, but a bit of a re-organise seen a better layout, but alas I fear it may have very quickly outgrown its present site, which is a shame because I thought it was perfect as the pub is picturesque and seems suited to the choppers and HotRods.
I decided to Leave early and have a leisurely drive down from Birmingham to London, but however hard I try, I always (allegedly of course) floor it and do in excess of 100+mph was I in a rush? No! Did I need to get there earlier? No! so why cant I have a nice drive down? Well its like this, I go a bit faster on the pretence of overtaking someone, then when I slow down again it feels slow, so I speed up again, well these are just excuses really as I like going fast, and that’s all there is to it.
            With a start time of 12 it was always going to be a rush so people can get there and find a place to park, but Woody and his team were on the ball and although jammed to the rafters they managed admirably. With a nice steady stream of bikes trikes and hotrods filling the place up, and as the show did not clash with the drag racing this year, there were more HotRods in attendance ranging from a Hillman Imp up to the aggressive looking Dodge Charger and everything in-between, along with a Model T that had mudguard mounted off the V12 hubs as I have on my trike, which constantly work loose because of the vibration, but he solved the problem, and after a short discussion, my mudguard problem may be solved too – Result.
Onto the Chop side of the show, there were loads I would have liked to take home with me, my favourites were the Boneshaker Choppers Board Tracker and Neil’s Harley which I hadn’t realised he had sold and I accosted its new owner with questions that MI5 would be proud of. I also overheard a conversation in the carpark with someone on their mobile phone complaining to their friend that they shouldn’t bother coming down as its all Harleys, he obviously hadn’t been round the show then and was his loss, I don’t get the whole ‘Harley Haters’ thing, Maybe someone could enlighten me (answers on a postcard please).
The trike contingent were aplenty with by far the best two being Reliant engined trikes from the boys at Manky Monkey Motors (www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk) who left before judging was done, other trike consisted of  a couple of V8s a beach bastard and various other designs.
I think that this show has a promising future for both the organisers and the custom scene, and with HotRods, Bikes and Trikes all in the same place I reckon we will see even more design influences going between them, For me the next one can’t come quick enough. A big thanks to Hells Angels London for putting on the event and all those that supported what is surely to be an important event in the custom scene

Yoda