Welcome to Valley Action's first issue of "Ride and Shine," dedicated to the motorcycle and car cultures around our beautiful Capital City and beyond.
Street, dirt, race, run, cruise - I chose to start with custom motorcycles as it is an ever-growing passion of mine.
Did you know that we have in our own backyard and, as easy as the yellow pages, some of the motorcycle industry's elite Master Builders, kings of custom and even one legendary godfather of production custom motorcycles?
I've realized how little is written about the custom bike and car culture in Northern Nevada, even though within a few hours' ride in any direction we have the best back roads, scenery and top destinations in the nation.
Like fine wine and a good steak - OK, beer and pizza - Northern Nevada and bikers go together. Hot August Nights, Street Vibrations and Thunder on the Mountain are just a few of the big events that have a tremendous out pouring and support from motorcycle enthusiasts, and also provide a major boost to the local economy.
The youngest of the very famous "new breed" of custom builders is Aaron Greene, whose passion, creativity and drive are blazing amazing new trails in the motorcycle industry. The young, ultra-talented Master Builder creates magic at Paramount Custom Cycles in Reno.
Already the winner of many awards for excellence and innovative design, Aaron owns three U.S. machine patents, built "The Matador," the first production bike in the U.S. to house a 250 mm rear tire, and owns, operates and manufactures his own custom bikes.
Aaron started at 14 as a full service mechanic and found an interest in custom bike building while living in Arizona. He moved to Reno and built bikes for Easy Rider, before breaking out and creating his own designs and builds, founding Paramount Custom Cycles in 1997.
Did I mention he is only in his early 30s? That's crazy!
Aaron and his award-winning bikes have been featured in nearly every biker magazine and bike related TV show, and even appeared in a biker build-off.
"Our custom production bikes can compete with the major bike dealers on high-end craftsmanship, quality and affordability," Aaron said.
The 12,000 square-foot shop where his designs take form, is a custom builder's candy land with state-of-the-art tools and customizing machines.
All PCC bikes are manufactured locally. Gotta love and support the "Made in America" bikes.
My favorite PCC bikes are the "SS 131," a tribute to muscle cars and reminiscent of a late 1960s SS Camaro - red, white and beautiful. The "El Wood" reminds me of a "low rider" (love it!), and latest is PCC's production bike "The PCX," a light weight, old school, bobber-influenced bike. It houses a 107 SS motor, side mounted shock chassis with 1-inch stretch in the down tubes, a 180 mm rear tire, and a set of mid-controls to combine ridability and comfort for riders of all sizes. "This is a bike you can enjoy and ride every day, so easy to handle," Aaron said. "I build bikes you can ride!"
PCC does bike repairs, and offers custom frames, chassis, parts, gear and a clothing line.
And they can build you a one-of-a-kind, kick-ass custom chopper.
Custom bikes are another choice you may not have considered before. But for about the same cost as a name brand motorcycle, you can customize, and yes, personalize your bike to suit your wants and needs.
It is important to note that not all custom bike shops are EPA approved or carburetor certified (PCC is). Ask questions, do a little research, pay attention to details.
It's YOUR bike. Know it! Ride it!