Legacy
Indian Larry's impact transcended merely building bikes. Fellow bike builder, Mondo said after Larry's death, "I think he humbled a lot of people because he was so real and genuine."
A tribute bike was built by Billy Lane, Keino Sasaki, Paul Cox, and Kendall Johnson in the Indian Larry shop which was filmed by Discovery Channel for a one-hour biography special on the life of Indian Larry. The name, Love Zombie was chosen since this was a name that Larry had previously thought up for a future chopper he had wanted to build. Billy Lane hand fabricated the gas tank, among the other contributions made by the team to build the bike (a vintage Pontiac car hood ornament of an Indian chief's bust was incorporated into the design of the gas tank). Robert Pradke of Eastford, Connecticut applied purple paint with green flames.
Two books were published about Indian Larry in 2006:
- Indian Larry: Chopper Shaman by Dave Nichols with Andrea "Bambi" Cambridge; photographs by Michael Lichter
- Indian Larry by photographer Timothy White
Paul Cox, Keino, Johnny Mack, Bobby and Elisa Seeger, and the rest of the crew continued with the shop and renamed it Indian Larry Legacy. Indian Larry's question mark remained the company logo except for the addition of a pair of wings, and they continued to build bikes in Indian Larry's style. In 2007 Paul Cox and Keino built a chopper for an episode of Biker Build-Off. In continuing with the shop for three years, Keino explained that it stemmed from his "loyalty, respect and appreciation for mentor." Since that period, Paul Cox and Keino have each opened their own shops in Brooklyn, and Bobby and Elisa Seeger renamed the company Indian Larry Motorcycles and relocated the shop within Brooklyn.
A group of bikers in Norway were inspired by Indian Larry's story and formed the Indian Larry Tribute MC. Some of the club members have since met Larry's family in the United States.
| Notable Chopper Builds | Details | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Grease Monkey | Larry's personal ride. First Indian Larry Bike featured on cover of Easyriders magazine (No. 303 September 1998). Harley-Davidson Panhead engine transplanted from his previous bike, Voodoo Chili, into Grease Monkey in 1997. Modified Paughco frame. Four-speed transmission. Ceriani front end. Frame and jockey shifter are nickel plated. Black leather seat by Paul Cox. Rear display, orange oil filter (as with all of Larry's bikes, the oil filter was mounted behind the transmission to hang near the rear tire). Bike that Larry is shown riding on Motorcycle Mania II program. | Custom paint by Cassatto Airbrush. Red metal flake paint and white flames on gas tank. "Indian Larry" name logo and two biker crosses in gold leaf on top of tank. Naked rear fender. "Grease Monkey" airbrushed on chain belt. Larry chose mediums that were popular in the 1960s: metal flake paint and gold leafing. |
| Daddy-O (Rat Fink) | Built during Indian Larry's first appearance on Biker Build-Off (vs. Paul Yaffe) which culminated at the Laconia rally. Bike appeared in the December 2004 issue of Easyriders. Inspired by hot rods with dual carbs to increase fuel/air intake. 88" motor. Baker 6-speed transmission. Mustang gas tank. Indian Larry twisted Springer front-end. Hand-spoked wheels. Chrome oil filter. Paul Cox hand-tooled, red buffalo hide seat. Large question mark symbol on sissy bar. Shifter knob is white ball with red spirals. Bike a tribute to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth who Larry said was his inspiration to get into the business. | Robert Pradke paint and airbrushing. Larry stated that it looks "late 1960s". Gold metal flake paint. Red flames with pink borders. Green Rat Fink character airbrushed on top of gas tank against ruby red background. Among the lettering, "In memory of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth 1932-2001". Green pin striping on rear fender with Indian Larry name logo in gold leaf, and "Gasoline Alley" and "New York City" in silver leaf against ruby red background. Chain belt airbrushed: "Way Out Daddy O from Weirdsville". |
| Mr. Tiki's Shop Droppings (Mr. Tiki) | Tribute to 1960s Tiki culture for Bambi the Mermaid; Constructed for Easyriders Centerfold Tour 2004. Underlying frame consists of steel rings welded to the frame. Name comes from incorporating different parts lying around the shop to keep costs low - "backyard building". Panhead motor. Dark brown tiki shifter knob. Paul Cox leather seat made to resemble Polynesian weave. | Robert Pradke's molding and paint creates illusion that bike frame is made of yellow bamboo. Paint stylized as wood grain on gas tank and fender. "Indian Larry" name logo in gold on side of dished tank and red and yellow question marks. Tiki airbrushed on top of tank. Green and purple pin striping on rear fender with lettering, "Easyriders Centerfold Tour 2004". |
| Wild Child | Second Build-Off appearance (vs. Billy Lane at Sturgis). Larry said during the taping of the program that up to that point it was the "best bike" he had "ever-ridden," and "ever-built" in "his whole life". Chromed twisted down tube. Shovelhead front cylinder, Panhead rear. Twin carburetors. Baker six-speed transmission. Paul Cox created the concave sides of the gas tank by welding round stock and then hammer dishing it. Inverted Ceriani front end. Billet wheels. Jockey shift knob is white ball with blue spirals. As Larry explained it, "You're riding out of the 60s, but on 2003 equipment." Was featured on cover of Easyriders magazine (No. 322, p. 18-22). | Robert Pradke paint (Custom Auto Design). Root beer metal flake paint. White flames bordered with green pinstripe. Metal leaf design over sterling silver leaf on side of dished tank with "Indian Larry" name logo in gold leaf and "Gasoline Alley, New York City" in black lettering. Open belt drive airbrushed: "Wild Child". |
| Chain of Mystery | Built during Larry's third and final Biker Build-Off (vs. Mondo from Denver's Choppers). Was originally started as Larry's personal bike. Original, innovative frame made from welded tow chain links. Combination Panhead front cylinder - Shovelhead rear engine. S&S L Carburetor in front and S&S B Carburetor in rear. Brake rotor laser cut with question marks (also referred to as question crosses). C J Allan engraved parts, including panhead rocker box cover with Indian Larry question marks. Jockey shift knob is a white ball with red spiral. Paul Cox hand-tooled, American cowhide leather seat of cartoon of Indian Larry as the Grease Monkey. | Frame, gas tank, and fender were powder coated “starburst violet” color, which Larry described as being "definitely Munster Koach". Robert Pradke painted graphics and applied clear coat. "Indian Larry" name logo in gold leaf and leafing of Psychedelic floating question marks on gas tank which are outlined in red and purple. Leafed flames outlined in green. Von Dutch style pin striping in red/orange and purple. Lettering on top of tank near seat says, "God Help Me!!" Pradke originally airbrushed the chain belt: "Chain of Mystery". Larry commented: "You don’t see bikes like this that often. That’s what I shoot for something that’s just mind-bending". |
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Famous quotes containing the word legacy:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)