We’re damn thrilled that some of our favorite motorcycle shows are finally coming back. This past weekend was Glory Daze 2021 in the Steel City — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — and what a show it was.
Glory Daze is a motorcycle gathering/show that features “garage-built custom bikes with soul and character,” bringing together a diverse slice of the moto/custom community to show off some truly inspiring works of two-wheeled art. Primary sponsors include Pittsburgh Moto, Pittsburgh Brewing, and Bell Helmets. There’s a curated indoor show for invited builders, outdoor show open to anyone who rides in on two wheels, and the “Trippy Ten” Helmet Art Show:
The location, Carrie Furnaces, is as much a draw as the motorcycles. Built in 1907, the former blast furnaces tower 92 feet over the Monongahela River, showcasing a rare example of pre-WWII iron-making technology. The show took place inside the Powerhouse, which featured a large outside area where attendees could park their bikes, creating a secondary ride-in show.
Our friend Sean White of Fast for Fun was our man on the ground. Sean was recently in a serious motorcycle accident, so we’re thrilled to see him back in action, shooting all of the bikes you see here. What’s more, his own newly completed Triumph Thruxton, built by Evan Favaro of Speakeasy Motors / Speakeasy Motors Whiskey Co., was on display — stay tuned for a full feature on this wicked Triumph!
Without further ado, here are some of the highlights from the show. Builders: If you’d like a high-res version of any of these photos, please leave a comment below and we’ll email them to you!
1981 Yamaha XS650 by Cameron Sutton1981 Yamaha XS650 by Cameron Sutton1984 FXE “Bad Behavior” by Steven Millward of Fatman Custom Motors1984 FXE “Bad Behavior” by Steven Millward of Fatman Custom Motors1949 Panhead by Tony Provenzano1949 Panhead by Tony Provenzano1972 Triumph by Nate & Brian Bakaitis1972 Triumph by Nate & Brian BakaitisShovelhead by Shelton ShiaShovelhead by Shelton Shia1965 Triumph by Rick James1965 Triumph by Rick James2003 Sportster by Ryan Zapko (Spirit of Independence)2003 Sportster by Ryan Zapko (Spirit of Independence)2006 Sportster “Sweet 13” by Rick Reed2006 Sportster “Sweet 13” by Rick Reed“Uptahn Sporty” by Ed Jankoski“Uptahn Sporty” by Ed Jankoski1973 CB750 by Cody Robinson1973 CB750 by Cody Robinson1966 BSA Lightning from Kyle & Randy Feather (Heritage Road Cycles)1966 BSA Lightning from Kyle & Randy Feather (Heritage Road Cycles)1975 Shovelhead “Grace” from Zachary Klink1975 Shovelhead “Grace” from Zachary KlinkTriumph 750 Flat Tracker from Greg SinnamondTriumph 750 Flat Tracker from Greg Sinnamond1982 Ironhead “Atoms of Peace” from J.Vas1982 Ironhead “Atoms of Peace” from J.Vas1971 Shovelhead “Beetlejuice” from Chase Chicoine (@chatterdaddy)1971 Shovelhead “Beetlejuice” from Chase Chicoine (@chatterdaddy)“El Rey” Panhead from Larry Curik (Lone Star Choppers)“El Rey” Panhead from Larry Curik (Lone Star Choppers)1975 Honda CB125S from Rich Odlum (Interstellar Motors)1975 Honda CB125S from Rich Odlum (Interstellar Motors)1977 Honda CB750 from Dustin Porter1977 Honda CB750 from Dustin Porter1979 Shovelhead “Lawn Killer” from Chris Merrill, built by Connor Steudel (Strange Desire Cycle Company)1979 Shovelhead “Lawn Killer” from Chris Merrill, built by Connor Steudel (Strange Desire Cycle Company)“99” Shovelhead from Johnny Humphrey (Johnny99Customs)“99” Shovelhead from Johnny Humphrey (Johnny99Customs)1950 Panhead “Salvage Diver” from Jesse & Rick Srpan (Raw Iron Choppers)1950 Panhead “Salvage Diver” from Jesse & Rick Srpan (Raw Iron Choppers)1980 BMW R100 “Boxer Bobber” from Parker Zamarelli (Zamarelli Moto)1980 BMW R100 “Boxer Bobber” from Parker Zamarelli (Zamarelli Moto)1966 Hagon-framed Triumph Drag Bike from Wayne Skinner1966 Hagon-framed Triumph Drag Bike from Wayne Skinner“Evo Power Chopper” by Zack Williams (Roll-on Cycles)“Evo Power Chopper” by Zack Williams (Roll-on Cycles)“Highway Star” 1964 Ironhead from Jack & Lynn Deagazio“Highway Star” 1964 Ironhead from Jack & Lynn Deagazio1975 Yamaha XS650 from Eric Smyczek1975 Yamaha XS650 from Eric SmyczekPanhead by Shaun KostekPanhead by Shaun Kostek1974 Honda CB500T Board Track from Chet Aden (Aden Customs)1974 Honda CB500T Board Track from Chet Aden (Aden Customs)1968 Triumph T120 from Jessika Janene1968 Triumph T120 from Jessika Janene1952 Harley “Root 66” from Tim Scates1952 Harley “Root 66” from Tim Scates1988 “Seafoam Sporty” from Mike Greer1988 “Seafoam Sporty” from Mike Greer1975 Shovelhead from JP Papaleo1975 Shovelhead from JP PapaleoYamaha XS650 from Erin Dunworth (Dunworth Machines / Bell Helmets)Yamaha XS650 from Erin Dunworth (Dunworth Machines / Bell Helmets)1966 Shovelhead from Shaun Kostek1966 Shovelhead from Shaun Kostek1999 Honda Nighthawk “Tuna” from Matt Krofcheck (Fingers Crossed Moto)1999 Honda Nighthawk “Tuna” from Matt Krofcheck (Fingers Crossed Moto)1981 Yamaha SR500 from PJ & Mike Grakauskas (Chi-Jer’s Vintage Bike Works)1981 Yamaha SR500 from PJ & Mike Grakauskas (Chi-Jer’s Vintage Bike Works)“King Shit” 1980 Shovel from Gary Boone, built by Jesse Srpan (Raw Iron Choppers)“King Shit” 1980 Shovel from Gary Boone, built by Jesse Srpan (Raw Iron Choppers)1994 Honda XR600R “Blarth” from Juan Verde, owned by Grady Painter — featured here on BikeBound!1994 Honda XR600R “Blarth” from Juan Verde, owned by Grady Painter — featured here on BikeBound!1967 Ironhead from Johnny Humphrey (Johnny99Customs)1967 Ironhead from Johnny Humphrey (Johnny99Customs)1980 Honda CX500 from Phil Hudson1980 Honda CX500 from Phil Hudson“Twisted Bobber” from Tim Scates“Twisted Bobber” from Tim Scates1979 Shovelhead from Joe Perrone“Boogie Nights” 1972 CB750 from Kristin / Zachary Shipwash (The Rebel Spirit)“Boogie Nights” 1972 CB750 from Kristin / Zachary Shipwash (The Rebel Spirit)1937 Harley VL from Lee Armitage1937 Harley VL from Lee Armitage1972 Aermachi / Harley SS350S (w/ wet nitrous) from J.Shia (Madhouse Motors)1972 Aermachi / Harley SS350S (w/ wet nitrous) from J.Shia (Madhouse Motors)Harley / Aermachi from J.Shia (Madhouse Motors)“Ethel” 1981 Yamaha XS650 from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)“Ethel” 1981 Yamaha XS650 from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)“Built for Good” Charity Sportster from Croig — featured here on BikeBound!“Built for Good” Charity Sportster from Croig — featured here on BikeBound!Two-Stroke Twin Bobber from Jeff “Cubby” GashierTwo-Stroke Twin Bobber from Jeff “Cubby” Gashier1975 BMW R90S from Rich Odlum (Interstellar Motors)1975 BMW R90S from Rich Odlum (Interstellar Motors)“Time Machine” 1975 Ironhead from Ray Morrow“Time Machine” 1975 Ironhead from Ray Morrow1981 Yamaha XS650 “Enduro” from Kasey Elkins (Krossover Customs)1981 Yamaha XS650 “Enduro” from Kasey Elkins (Krossover Customs)1948 Panhead from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)1948 Panhead from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)From Peter StovicekFrom Peter Stovicek1969 Triumph T100C “Schitt Show” from Amanda Steele1969 Triumph T100C “Schitt Show” from Amanda Steele“Cipher” 1981 Shovel from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)“Cipher” 1981 Shovel from Evan Favaro (Speakeasy Motors)1942 Harley WLA from Jake Mahoney1942 Harley WLA from Jake Mahoney1970 Ironhead Drag Bike from Steven Skinner1970 Ironhead Drag Bike from Steven SkinnerChristian Newman‘s Born Free build.Christian Newman‘s Born Free build.1977 Yamaha TT500 Flat Tracker from Zane Cook1977 Yamaha TT500 Flat Tracker from Zane Cook“Flashback” Shovelhead from Larry Curik (Lone Star Choppers)“Flashback” Shovelhead from Larry Curik (Lone Star Choppers)1988 Sportster from Christian Newman1988 Sportster from Christian Newman1929 Indian Four Electric Conversion from Detroit Randy1929 Indian Four Electric Conversion from Detroit Randy“The Queen Bee” 1966 Triumph from Tombstone Customs“The Queen Bee” 1966 Triumph from Tombstone Customs1969 Shovel from Kyle Richner (Better Days Mfg)1969 Shovel from Kyle Richner (Better Days Mfg)“Chromophobia” (The Fear of Color) 1975 Superglide from TE Customs“Chromophobia” (The Fear of Color) 1975 Superglide from TE Customs1975 Shovelhead from Devon Weaver“The King’s Ransom” 1951 Pan/Shovel from Larry Collette“The King’s Ransom” 1951 Pan/Shovel from Larry Collette“Gypsy Queen” 1975 Shovelhead from Clay “White Rice” Krick“Gypsy Queen” 1975 Shovelhead from Clay “White Rice” Krick1987 Evo Chopper from Gabe Cyrus1987 Evo Chopper from Gabe Cyrus“The Veal” 2002 XL1275 from Angelo Palmieri (Maltese Machine Co.)“The Veal” 2002 XL1275 from Angelo Palmieri (Maltese Machine Co.)1967 Triumph Daytona 500 from Kent James1967 Triumph Daytona 500 from Kent James2006 “RX Streetfighter” from Russell Mitchell (@exilecycles)2006 “RX Streetfighter” from Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles.Panhead from Girth BrooksPanhead from Girth BrooksEvo Chopper from Logan AllisonEvo Chopper from Logan Allison“Captain Jack” Evo Chopper from Drew Reddinger“Captain Jack” Evo Chopper from Drew Reddinger1964 Panhead from Chavez1964 Panhead from Chavez1974 Norton Commando 850 from Craig M. Thompson1974 Norton Commando 850 from Craig M. Thompson1970 Triumph Bonneville from Brandon Jordan (Jordan Auto Body)1970 Triumph Bonneville from Brandon Jordan (Jordan Auto Body)1960 Panhead from Mark Klos1960 Panhead from Mark Klos1952 Triumph Pre-unit from Jeff Wichman1952 Triumph Pre-unit from Jeff Wichman
Three thoughts
1. I still love Trackers.
2. BMW’s are so easy to make hideous.
3. Once again we influence Japan with style and they send it back on steroids, evidenced by the”Neo” Chopper scene so prominent at this show. Beautiful bikes but still so not fun to ride.
Three thoughts
1. I still love Trackers.
2. BMW’s are so easy to make hideous.
3. Once again we influence Japan with style and they send it back on steroids, evidenced by the”Neo” Chopper scene so prominent at this show. Beautiful bikes but still so not fun to ride.
The super skinny purple bike covered in stainless and chrome is Christian Newman’s Born Free build.
Updated! Many thanks, Ben!
My pleasure! Didn’t see my Loud Mouth build in these but you definitely got some great shots! Thanks! It was a great show for sure!
….’37 is ul or u or ulh……twin downtube frame u motor late springer….
I appreciate the opportunity to see these bikes, thanks to all who made this possible. Great show.
This was a great show.
The unknown black Carbon Bike’s Builder is Russell Mitchell of exile cycles.
It is the 2006 RX – Streetfighter.
Thank you so much, Jerry — just updated the images with Russell’s info!