Airstream Swaps Trailer for Custom Chopper Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Airstream motorcycle designed by West Coast Choppers
Airstream President Bob Wheeler describes as “stunning” a custom-made Airstream-themed motorcycle that his company “acquired” from motorcycle icon Jesse James, owner of West Coast Choppers and husband of actress Sandra Bullock. The chopper was displayed for the first time at the 2007 Louisville Show.
“It is absolutely a work of art,” said Wheeler.
Art or not, James actually traded the chopper that was so visibly positioned at the front of Airstream’s Louisville display for a 34-foot Airstream Classic travel trailer from the Jackson Center, Ohio, company that he gave to Bullock for her birthday. The trailer is now being used as a pool house at the couple’s Austin, Texas, home.
“He took some design cues from photos of the 1937 Airstream Clipper,” said Wheeler.
With the exception of the 130-hp S&S V-Twin engine and Baker six-speed overdrive transmission, the entire bike with sidecar was custom made by West Coast Choppers with influences gleaned from Airstream's riveted, polished, aluminum exterior, including the chopper's headlight cover, gas tank and sidecar.
The Airstream-inspired bike, meanwhile, will be used as a marketing tool at shows and rallies.
“The bike opens up other opportunities to help us promote our products,” Wheeler said. “It's a natural tie-in to our new PanAmerican toy hauler.”
