That was a bust...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
The Born Free Texas show isn't the largest event I've been to, but they had a nice mix of bikes in the show. And there were more that a few Pans and Shovles, both cones and slab sides riding around the grounds. There are some younger groups there, but no SOA bikes.
That event is only about 80 miles away from me, so the event of they type is the closest to me. I could go for the day, but I always go Friday and Saturday. Great riding mostly 2 lane blacktop roads in East Texas. And it's in late October which usually means decent weather. There are cabins and free camping on site. But the cabins are very dificult to reserve, so I stay at a hotel in near by Henderson.
Paul
That event is only about 80 miles away from me, so the event of they type is the closest to me. I could go for the day, but I always go Friday and Saturday. Great riding mostly 2 lane blacktop roads in East Texas. And it's in late October which usually means decent weather. There are cabins and free camping on site. But the cabins are very dificult to reserve, so I stay at a hotel in near by Henderson.
Paul
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
1969 A65FS Firebird Scrambler, they had two tank styles and was the hot model, cammed and twin Amals, original owner had swapped the dirt track up the side pipes they sold with for the street pipes. Other than that is was bone stock when I got it, only one with that tank I've seen on the street. Miss that bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
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From: Long Island, New York
Last night I watched some coverage via YouTube on the event. The "show" bikes looked really good, lots of out of the box customs.
But then all the video from everything outside of the actual show, being vendors and grass pass bikes, yeh all Dyna Bros. Full line up of Dynas and FXRs all optioned the same way but different paint schemes. And a couple of "wow you really f-ed up a perfectly good motorcycle" customs.
But then all the video from everything outside of the actual show, being vendors and grass pass bikes, yeh all Dyna Bros. Full line up of Dynas and FXRs all optioned the same way but different paint schemes. And a couple of "wow you really f-ed up a perfectly good motorcycle" customs.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,436
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From: Southeast
I'm really torn about this subject. Been into cars for decades.
I have one son (the older of two) who is just eaten up with cars, the other, not so much. I see a LOT of me when I was his age. Just spent last week running around with him, and we did several "car events". They were totally different from what I was used to in about every way - attendees were much younger. I was the token "old dude." Each "car meet" was formed and advertised through social media, and they even have their own favorites to get the information out about them.
Listening to the conversations among the group, it was obvious that these guys were no different, but yet in a totally different way. Things have changed for sure.
On the other side of the coin, I've helped organize numerous events throughout the years. One in particular had it all: swap meet, car show (all makes/models), auction, and a shared, regional event for Corvette enthusiasts. Had a guy drive his daily driver onto the showfield I was directing and exclaim, " I'm with the Nationally-recognized Corvette Restoration Society! I don't care about your car show, the auction, or your swap meet. Where do I park to be with MY club?"
I wanted to tell him where he could stuff his car, but cooler heads prevailed.
It's obvious that we're seeing a change in the way things are done, both in the two- and four-wheeled worlds. It may not be a bad thing, but not our thing either. But, then again, look at the number of "collections" that are being sold off, and I think you'll see where the growing market is going. Many of our ilk don't need "earthly transportation" anymore. Someone needs to carry the torch, just maybe not the way we understand. It would be great if this younger generation realized how much knowledge is walking around these events - @TwiZted Biker and so many others being the perfect example. Maybe they'll catch on and realize the world is larger than their iPhone's screen before it's too late.
I have one son (the older of two) who is just eaten up with cars, the other, not so much. I see a LOT of me when I was his age. Just spent last week running around with him, and we did several "car events". They were totally different from what I was used to in about every way - attendees were much younger. I was the token "old dude." Each "car meet" was formed and advertised through social media, and they even have their own favorites to get the information out about them.
Listening to the conversations among the group, it was obvious that these guys were no different, but yet in a totally different way. Things have changed for sure.
On the other side of the coin, I've helped organize numerous events throughout the years. One in particular had it all: swap meet, car show (all makes/models), auction, and a shared, regional event for Corvette enthusiasts. Had a guy drive his daily driver onto the showfield I was directing and exclaim, " I'm with the Nationally-recognized Corvette Restoration Society! I don't care about your car show, the auction, or your swap meet. Where do I park to be with MY club?"
I wanted to tell him where he could stuff his car, but cooler heads prevailed.
It's obvious that we're seeing a change in the way things are done, both in the two- and four-wheeled worlds. It may not be a bad thing, but not our thing either. But, then again, look at the number of "collections" that are being sold off, and I think you'll see where the growing market is going. Many of our ilk don't need "earthly transportation" anymore. Someone needs to carry the torch, just maybe not the way we understand. It would be great if this younger generation realized how much knowledge is walking around these events - @TwiZted Biker and so many others being the perfect example. Maybe they'll catch on and realize the world is larger than their iPhone's screen before it's too late.
Last edited by Tcrafty; Jun 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM.
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
What a lot of this really comes down to is most of us got some years on and have had the opportunity to watch the world change. We lived our time in the moment. Fast forward and this is an observation from the side lines, each generation tries to have their own style and that unique something that makes it theirs away from the parents style. The last couple gens with the advent and overbearing impact the always online and social media has had has gone levels beyond just wanting to be different than the local social circles into how weird can I get just to be different, they are competing on a global headspace now long before puberty and it's manifesting in everything. Bike world has changed no questions, I was ring side when it started in 1984, saw the writing on the wall too. Those of you that's known me and my first years in here know I wasn't shy about clipping a few wings when needed and newbie egos that got a little to big. But our time is past painful as it is. Makes you understand that look or crack grand dad occasionally threw our way doesn't it? 
I couldn't imagine doing the dance looking for a tech job now, just 12 years ago the barely out of school HR chippy I sat across from was having a hard time with the fact I didn't have any profiles on any of the big social media platforms she could access and only one email address. I had to call the manager that headhunted me to come sort her **** out for her. I fear for my grand daughters future, midwestern girls dads done well raising, they'll never fit anywhere outside that environment. Doubt I'll live long enough to see what the next gens hot mess will manifest as but it'd be entertaining to watch. Topping this ones complete lack of taste or common sense antics is gonna be tough.
I couldn't imagine doing the dance looking for a tech job now, just 12 years ago the barely out of school HR chippy I sat across from was having a hard time with the fact I didn't have any profiles on any of the big social media platforms she could access and only one email address. I had to call the manager that headhunted me to come sort her **** out for her. I fear for my grand daughters future, midwestern girls dads done well raising, they'll never fit anywhere outside that environment. Doubt I'll live long enough to see what the next gens hot mess will manifest as but it'd be entertaining to watch. Topping this ones complete lack of taste or common sense antics is gonna be tough.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jun 25, 2025 at 06:19 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
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From: Western Pennsylvania
I share the lack of optimism that most of you have. The new generation thinks they are smarter and better than the past. Problem is.....most of their idealology is dysfunctional, a fantasy world of BS that cannot actually work, and never has worked anywhere, ever. Despite that truth...they continuing spewing their nonsense.
As for the appreciation of the muscle car and bike world that existed and flourished in my 67 years years on the planet, the new generation is absent of anything near that. And while it could be argued by some......comparing a modern Harley or any Jap bike to and Shovelhead is a laugh. There is a quality of purpose behind the iconic motorcycles we love, and all the meaning they had to us, is far beyond the modern motorcycles, including Harleys, that are being sold.. Same with cars.....a 67 Corvette compared to a Subaru WRX.....what a laugh. Which one is iconic? Its beyond just "opinion". Youngsters can spew all they want about HP numbers, efficiency, turbos, tunes and spin donuts all aound the streets......but the sad truth is that they still are excited about a very sad idea that their car is special. Its not. By any definition.
As for the appreciation of the muscle car and bike world that existed and flourished in my 67 years years on the planet, the new generation is absent of anything near that. And while it could be argued by some......comparing a modern Harley or any Jap bike to and Shovelhead is a laugh. There is a quality of purpose behind the iconic motorcycles we love, and all the meaning they had to us, is far beyond the modern motorcycles, including Harleys, that are being sold.. Same with cars.....a 67 Corvette compared to a Subaru WRX.....what a laugh. Which one is iconic? Its beyond just "opinion". Youngsters can spew all they want about HP numbers, efficiency, turbos, tunes and spin donuts all aound the streets......but the sad truth is that they still are excited about a very sad idea that their car is special. Its not. By any definition.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: la la land jerzey
I get the motivation i dont get the similarity other then they are sold on cheaper to buy stuff that is readily available
and i have NO idea what SOA stands for — to me i know it as - save our souls - in Morse code
and i have NO idea what SOA stands for — to me i know it as - save our souls - in Morse code