Big Bear Choppers: Bike Preserved to Commemorate Tragedy, Offers Important Reminder

NEW YORK, NY, July 05, 2012 (Press-News.org) Everyday, relics wash up on shores that may have carried interesting stories; however, few are a reminder of the willingness of humans to move on from tragic events. Peter Mark, a resident of British Columbia recently found such an item washed up on the shores of Graham Isle. According to an article from Speed TV, Mark had found a Harley Davidson motorcycle that belonged to a Japanese resident who lost the vehicle in last year's tsunami that caused monumental damage to the country. Although the original owner, Ikuo Yokoyama, declined the offer to have his bike repatriated to his home in Japan, he supported the addition of the motorcycle to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Big Bear Choppers, a California-based company specializing in custom motorcycles, notes the importance of such a find.

The company observes that many see motorcyclists as rough individuals who lack compassion. The story of the recovered bike not only preserves the memory of the lives lost and damage done in Japan, but also demonstrates the giving nature of motorcyclists and their makers all over the world. Steve Drane of Steve Drane Harley-Davidson in Victoria, B.C added his intention of reuniting the 2004 FXSTB Softail Night Train to its owner. He notes, "I've always felt Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a soul, and their owners obviously have an emotional attachment to their bikes. I just wanted to reunite this bike with its owner."

While Yokoyama is grateful for the effort, he declined its return as he works to rebuild his life after the natural disaster. While Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum, said in the article that the organization is proud include the bike in the museum as a testament to the struggle in Japan, it is still just a material item. Kevin Alsop, founder of Big Bear Choppers, adds that the bike is an unimportant item that provides greater insight as a symbol of all the destruction that occurred in Japan.

Alsop reflects on a similar connection to a bike lost in Japan during the same tsunami, "I wish they would find the Big Bear Choppers 'Athena' Chopper that was sitting at the dock in Japan when the Tsunami hit, they never found the bike." Still, Alsop and his crew work to provide quality bikes to customers to contribute to this ongoing appreciation of motorcycles.

ABOUT:

Based in Southern California, Big Bear Choppers is noted for building some of the most innovative custom motorcycles in the world. In 1998 the company was founded by Kevin Alsop and his wife, Mona. Since then, the Big Bear Choppers team has been recognized by media outlets, motorcycle enthusiasts and several celebrities for its superior service. The company's mission is to provide reliable and stylish bikes that are also affordable to consumers. Aside from its bikes, the company also offers safety gear and other products for purchase, so motorcyclists can take to the road with confidence.

For more information, visit www.bigbearchoppers.com.