Hundreds of Hells Angels motorcycle club members and others from all over the world attended the ninth Belfast Custom Bike Show at Belfast’s Custom House Square on Saturday, the BBC reports.
The show displayed a number of uniquely built motorcycles, including Harley Davidsons, choppers, rat bikes, scramblers and trikes. Also among the exhibits were classic bikes, as well as more eccentric designs, including a motorcycle with space for a surfboard and one with a seat made from a skateboard. There was also a World War II motorcycle complete with an MG34 machine gun and pistols. The prize ceremony handed out awards including best engineering, best in show and best in paintwork; the latter was taken by a Titanic-themed motorcycle.
Organised by the local chapter of the Hells Angels, the event was also used as a platform to raise money for various charities.
The BBC noted the growing market for customised “lifestyle” bikes in Northern Ireland. Quoting Gary Greenberg, co-owner of a company making such bikes, the report said that custom motorcycles built in Belfast are sold all over the world, including the USA, Italy, France and Spain. The main drive behind the thriving business is middle-aged men who, in Greenberg’s words, prefer going to the beach with a bike, rather than racing on the roads.
Belfast’s bike workshops have also made the best of what is probably their biggest chance for publicity – the TV show “Sons of Anarchy.” Custom bikes made in Northern Ireland have appeared in various episodes of the show, the BBC reported, and members of the local Hells Angels have made cameo appearances.