With plenty of chrome and an aggressive stance, lowrider bikes were born but would soon fall in popularity to BMX bikes. This inspired young kids from East Los Angeles to do the same, except they would pattern their builds based on their parent’s lowriders or the ones they’d see cruising their local blvd. Once that bicycle was seen on the big screen, it was game over. ![]() The result? A custom bicycle that Eddie Munster would use on the hit television series: The Munsters. The bike was designed to mimic a dragster, but once Barris got his hands on it, he was inspired to cut it up and customize it. Lowrider bicycles originated in East Los Angeles and took inspiration from the creation of famed car builder “George Barris” – who’s best known for creating movie cars such as the Batmobile, the Munsters’s Coach, and the Black Beauty. When Schwinn bicycles came out with the 1963 Sting-Ray, it was every kid’s wildest dream. He did agree to call us back when the two were completely done.Īccording to an article referenced from Lowrider magazine. Miguel’s explanation was more than fair, and if anything, pretty damn cool – especially in this day and age of social media where everyone is showing off their every move. So if you took a flick of the bike, it would end up giving away how his Impala is gonna look, and we can’t have that.” But now that he’s older, he’s building a 64 Impala that will match the same colors and theme on his bike. We built this bike together, and it’s never been shown. It kept him out of trouble.” He added, “It taught him how to work hard and save money. Lowrider bikes helped keep my son occupied. As we circled the bike, Miguel started talking more about the bike he said, “I’ll tell you this. Many owners treat their builds as art that should not be unveiled until it’s done, which is exactly the case for the father-son duo. Seconds after posing the question to the owner of the bike, his dad, Miguel, cocked his head back with hesitation and cautiously replied, “Umm. ![]() I found this out when we asked if we could take a picture of one of the bikes. Many of these bikes are built in secrecy – with only the builders and the artists contracted in the know. This subculture comes with plenty of built-in traditions (and unofficial rules), as we soon found out. In the future, we will get in more detail about the builds, but for now, let’s say that most lowrider bikes sport custom paint jobs, custom frames, mirrors, engraving, custom wheel sets and some even have steering wheels, continental kits, spotlights, and who could forget the gold or chrome-plated sprockets, knock off forks, and bananas seats that are usually upholstered. With some of these custom lowrider bikes costing upwards of $10k, it becomes clearly evident why the full show bikes aren’t ridden on the street. These bikes are built both by the young and old, but more often than not, the more pricey projects tend to be built by both father and child. ![]() Some are built to cruise some are built strictly for show. Some are built as two-wheel bikes others are built as three-wheelers called trikes. Like the cars they emulate, there are no rules to the game, but there are traditions to be followed. For starters, they’re designed to go low and slow. Even after moving to three different countries and 6 different houses, our bikes are still here with us, and the mere sight brings back incredible memories of my childhood.įor many, a lowrider bike is the entry ticket into lowriding culture, and for some, a life-changing hobby that keeps them from the perils of the streets. I grew up in a family obsessed with them. It’s a piece of art that speaks volumes about a culture powered by tradition and pride. LOWRIDER BIKES BECOME A PART OF THE FAMILYĪ lowrider bike is more than just a custom creation.
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