CCI Dealer Trade Show (10/03)
I can see why Custom Chrome is at the top of the food chain. It's all about networking. You bring together top manufacturers and invite all your clients to come see and touch the latest bling bling. The spread was impressive. A circus size tent was erected to feed the hungry throughout the day while a warehouse of manufacturers were ready to show off their best parts.

Bubba Blackwell was outside the tent performing his awesome tricks. This guy is pretty much a bad ass. Wheelies, nosestands, tailstands, and burnouts. And that's just on his Buell Lighting. He then jumped on a Buell Blast and did the same thing. And last was that poor Dyna. It was getting hammered by oh it looked so cool. I hope these weren't demo bikes from the local dealership. (Heh Heh.)

Most of the action took place inside the warehouse. As we walked in we passed through the R&D area. Old school style bikes were neatly arranged as backdrops to the room. The bikes ranged from one of Chica's creations to some of the bikes featured in the last years of Chrome Specialities. Very tasteful.

A quick right through the hallway and Shangri la here we come. A warehouse packed with parts, manufactures, visiting dealers and most important CCI's dedicated staff. Reps were taking show orders throughout the day and a fashion show was the perfect break from walking the aisles. I stopped by to see Brian my rep but as usual he was buried three deep with dealers. Funny I bumped into Mike my outside rep as I unknowingly handed him an ice cream from the cart. I have the baddest guys helping me out. Beers are waiting.

One bike that caught my eye was an FXR based bike to be released in the catalog. I don't think it made the 04 catalog. Maybe in the winter flyer. I wasn't there but I heard they brought one in hanging from a helicopter. The bike looks bad. I call it the American street fighter. Not like a Buell but more like a hybrid style impression. Like an old Kawasaki KZ 1000 but with a trick inverted frontend, black powdered spoke mags holding a real fat tire. I would love to disappear for about 3 hours.

As the day was winding down we caught the last show at the ball of death. Two guys inside a metal ball riding dirt bikes at full throttle. It was unreal. All in all the show was very informative and a good move for CCI to go back to casino night. After all whose catalog do you see the most in practically any shop in the free world. Enough said.

Back to Archives > >