EP. 25 Pedro and Bettys Big Revival
About this episode
Mike and Frank from Pedro and Betty's Big Revival join the show to share how a devastating 2021 flood sparked a complete rebuild of their Honda Shadow custom motorcycles. They discuss transitioning their garage builds into a thriving Instagram community, hosting weekly Friday night live streams to share fabrication tips, and the challenges of video editing. The duo also recaps their experience at the massive Party at the Pen show, highlighting their favorite custom builds, including Jared Weems' detailed Triumph, while reflecting on their "Odd Couple" working dynamic in the shop.
This is our interview with Frank and Mike from Pedro and Bettys Big Revival.
Honda Shadow
"we've been messing with these shadows since I started messing with them around 2006, and then Frank, I think around 2012, maybe you got yours"
A cruiser motorcycle made by Honda that looks like a classic American bike but is famous for being incredibly reliable and cheap to buy, making it a favorite for custom builders.
The Honda Shadow is a family of cruiser-style motorcycles powered by liquid-cooled V-twin engines, produced since 1983. It is highly celebrated in the custom motorcycle community as an affordable, bulletproof platform for bobber and chopper builds.
chopper
"But when we did the, when we built the chopper for the, for the kids charity, um, that was a whole different experience"
A custom motorcycle with a stretched-out front end, long handlebars, and a stripped-down frame for a cool, rebellious look.
A chopper is a highly customized style of motorcycle that emerged in California in the late 1950s. It is characterized by radically modified steering angles (raked necks), lengthened front forks, and stripped-down ('chopped') bodywork to create a long, lean profile.
Sissy bar
"they built, uh, a superior Sissy bar to anything we'll ever be able to build. That's true. Uh, he was just like, I want to build the Sissy bar."
A metal bar that sticks up behind the seat of a motorcycle, used to support a passenger's back or to tie bags to.
A sissy bar is an extension attached to the rear of a motorcycle that acts as a passenger backrest or a mounting point for strapping down luggage. In custom chopper culture, they are often hand-fabricated, extremely tall, and feature elaborate artistic designs.
Toyota A90
"Got a 883. Uh, see this was a 90. Don't, don't fall."
The Toyota Supra is a two-door sports car made by the Japanese company Toyota. It is built for fast, sporty driving and is famous for its sleek design and powerful engine.
The Toyota Supra is a legendary sports car, with the fifth-generation (GR Supra) developed in partnership with BMW. It is highly regarded for its sharp handling, powerful turbocharged inline-six engine, and strong aftermarket tuning potential. It is a frequent topic of discussion among automotive enthusiasts due to its rich performance heritage.
Harley-Davidson Sportster
"Got a 883. Uh, see this was a 90. Don't, don't fall. So 883, 91 sports for right here."
A classic, smaller Harley-Davidson motorcycle that has been made for decades. It's popular because it's easy to customize into different styles.
The Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the brand's longest-running model lines, introduced in 1957 with an overhead-valve V-twin engine. Known for its relatively lightweight frame and agility, it has served as a versatile canvas for dirt trackers, cafe racers, and choppers alike.
Fiat 600
"Wow. BLX 600s are, are you kidding me? Wow."
The Fiat 600 is a small, family-friendly SUV made by the Italian brand Fiat. It is designed primarily for city driving and is available with electric or hybrid engines.
The Fiat 600 is a subcompact crossover SUV, recently revived as a modern electric and hybrid vehicle for the global market. It pays homage to the iconic, tiny rear-engined Fiat 600 of the 1950s while offering practical, stylish, and eco-friendly urban transportation today. It represents Fiat's modern push toward electrification in a compact footprint.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
"We were all riding big baggers back then. Frank and I were on a lecture glides."
A large, comfortable Harley-Davidson motorcycle designed for long road trips, featuring big windshields and built-in luggage compartments.
The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide is a heavy-duty touring motorcycle introduced in 1965, famous for being the first FL model to feature an electric starter. It is characterized by its large 'batwing' fairing, saddlebags, and comfortable long-distance riding setup.
Chevrolet Silverado
"...r was on a, uh, 1700 road star with the hard, the Silverado with the hard bags and all that stuff."
The Chevrolet Silverado is a large pickup truck made by the American company Chevrolet. It is designed to carry heavy loads in its bed, tow trailers, and handle tough driving conditions.
The Chevrolet Silverado is a highly popular line of full-size pickup trucks known for their robust towing capacity, diverse engine options, and utility. It is a staple of the American truck market, frequently discussed for its workhorse capabilities and modern cabin technology. The truck is available in various configurations ranging from basic work trucks to luxury highway cruisers.
Yamaha Road Star
"My brother was on a, uh, 1700 road star with the hard, the Silverado with the hard bags and all that stuff."
A big cruiser motorcycle made by Yamaha that looks and sounds like a classic American bike but is built with Japanese engineering.
The Yamaha Road Star is a large cruiser motorcycle produced from 1999 to 2014, powered by a massive air-cooled pushrod V-twin engine. It was designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson's heavyweight cruisers, offering classic styling with Japanese reliability.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Ironhead
"the shorter of the collective Dave's, uh, he got, he got a 77 iron head and he wanted to come on the trip."
An older type of Harley-Davidson motorcycle made from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s, named after its heavy iron engine parts. They sound great but need a lot of hands-on fixing to keep running.
The 'Ironhead' refers to the Harley-Davidson Sportster engines produced from 1957 to 1985, named for their cast-iron cylinder heads. These motorcycles are legendary for their raw, vintage character but require frequent maintenance and mechanical sympathy compared to modern bikes.
Jeep Cherokee
"...on cities, like pretty much central. You got, uh, Cherokee, 441s there. And then you got the Blue Ridge Park..."
The Jeep Cherokee is a five-passenger sport utility vehicle (SUV) made by the American brand Jeep. It is designed to be comfortable for everyday driving while also being capable of driving on dirt trails and rough terrain.
The Jeep Cherokee is a mid-size SUV that historically bridged the gap between daily family transport and rugged off-road capability. While the long-running nameplate recently ended production, it remains a frequent topic of discussion for its trail-ready trims and pioneering role in the crossover segment. It offered a more compact alternative to the larger Grand Cherokee.
hardtail frame
"So you got two hardtail 600 shadows that you guys, how far away is that for you guys?"
A motorcycle frame that has no rear springs or shocks, making the ride very bumpy but giving the bike a clean, vintage look.
A hardtail frame is a motorcycle chassis that lacks a rear suspension system, meaning the rear axle is bolted directly to the rigid frame. Hardtails offer a classic, clean look favored by chopper builders but deliver a much stiffer, bumpier ride.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
"... got about 1500, I think, that speak both English and Cherokee, but they've only got about 500 native speakers."
Springer fork
"I'm sending the rockers on the Springer. The bike is always ridden like super crazy. And it's a butt manufacturing Springer, which they did, I think from 68 to 70."
An old-school front suspension for motorcycles that uses visible metal springs to absorb bumps instead of modern shock absorbers.
A Springer fork is a vintage style of motorcycle front suspension that uses exposed springs to cushion bumps instead of modern telescopic hydraulic tubes. They are highly prized in chopper builds for their mechanical, retro aesthetic.
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