Are you a motorcycle enthusiast eager to witness the epitome of custom choppers and motorcycles? Look no further than the Nor Cal Chopper Show, an event organized by the passionate and experienced Daniel Twigden. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Stockton in Northern California, this event promises an unforgettable celebration of the vibrant motorcycle culture and community.
Daniel Twigden is an esteemed motorcycle enthusiast, custom bike builder, and metal fabricator. He brings his wealth of knowledge and 16 years of experience in the industry to the Nor Cal Chopper Show. As the event organizer, Twigden is dedicated to curating a truly exceptional experience for attendees. With a deep-rooted commitment to showcasing the finest custom choppers and motorcycles the industry has to offer, he aspires to create an environment where enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the beauty and craftsmanship of these machines. Beyond the awe-inspiring display of motorcycles, the Nor Cal Chopper Show offers a range of additional attractions to enhance the overall experience. Indulge in delectable local food, sip on exquisite wines, and enjoy refreshing beers while immersing yourself in the electric atmosphere of the event. Scheduled for September 16, 2023, the Nor Cal Chopper Show will be a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country. Be sure to check it out!
Caption: Mark your calendar for this event! (Photo: Owned by Daniel Twigden)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: I would love to know how you first became interested in choppers.
Daniel Twigden: At the time, I was in a white-collar job in marketing in the skateboard, skate and surf industry, and I just was like, “I don’t wanna do anything else. I just want to make bikes.” So, I went back to community college and learned how to weld and fabricate. I just rented a storage space and bought my own tools and just started to build nothing but death traps for the first year.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: This love of motorcycle building led you to start this show. What was the biggest driving force to wanting to develop this show in Northern California?
Daniel Twigden: I feel like bikes have always been the lubrication to meeting new friends, right? They’re like a campfire. You build a custom bike and all of a sudden you look up and there’s 10 people standing around it, and you all have common interests, common values, and you’ve got 10 new friends. For me, motorcycles have always been about the social aspect of it, and we just don’t have anything up here in Northern California, but we definitely have a big crew who participate and contribute to the industry. I just wanted to create something that was down to earth and was all about them, you know? So the Nor Cal Chopper Show was born.
Caption: Daniel posing on a custom build next to his loyal companion (Photo: Owned by Daniel Twigden)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: What can attendees expect from this event, and what unique experiences are you going to be bringing to it?
Daniel Twigden: I think it’s probably gonna be a ride-in show. Most of the people are going to have a garage built, sort of vintage Choppers. I would say, the majority of the people there will have Evo and earlier [type bikes]. You’re not gonna see too much Twin Cam stuff. But we’ve got a lot of invited builders too, who essentially aren’t building for the show, but just have an amazing collection of bikes and we’ve asked them to bring them along. You’re gonna get people from all over the state and a few out of state, bringing down their bikes.
As far as what’s different. We really want to make this a food-based event with lots of food trucks. It’s not going to be $30 for a meal — it’s going to be burritos and tacos and great food. We’ve got a huge barbecue pit. Lots of local beer, local wine. Kids are free under 10 years old, so we really want to encourage families to bring their kids in.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: I would love to know how you curate who’s coming in. Are you putting it out to anyone who’s interested? Or are you looking for a certain type of bike?
Daniel Twigden: It’s not as formal as some of the other shows, where they have structured guests or an invited list — so you can see what the bikes are. I want there to be some mystery where some bikes turn up and people are like, “Whoa, I didn’t expect to see that there.”
Caption: One of Daniel’s many custom builds (Photo: Owned by Daniel Twigden)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: In your opinion, what makes the chopper culture and community so unique?
Daniel Twigden: It doesn’t matter if you’re at Mooneyes, whether you’re in Australia or whether you’re in America — the community that we’ve built are forever friends. I haven’t seen my buddy Jordan Dickinson from Union Speed and Cycle. He’s an amazing builder, phenomenal. He won the European best Builder a few years back. I haven’t seen him for years, but I can still call that guy up — it’s like, I saw him yesterday. Everyone’s like that, you know, we’re really just one big family.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: What are the big objectives you have for this show going forward?
Daniel Twigden: This is going to be an annual event. We’ve booked the venue to be annual. We just want people to be stoked on it. We want people to come away from it going, “That was a really great time. I didn’t feel any pressure, no bad attitudes.”
Caption: Daniel teaching his skills to others who are willing to learn the trade (Photo: Owned by Daniel Twigden)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who wants to become a bike builder?
Daniel Twigden: Start doing it. Just start doing it. People will take you seriously when they see you actually turning out something, even if that’s something that’s not saleable. Even if that something is still in development. People like me and other builders and other craftsmen are going to give you knowledge and help just based on the fact that you’re having a go.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Have you ever been in a motorcycle accident? If so, what did you learn?
Daniel Twigden: I have. I learned that it hurts a lot.
Caption: Daniel riding in style on his custom chopper (Photo: Owned by Daniel Twigden)
Save the date for the NorCal Chopper Show! For additional details about the event, please visit their website or follow Daniel’s Instagram. Ride safe, and thanks for reading!
