TOP SHELF CUSTOMS OWNER BARRY LACOUR TELL HIS STORY.
1) What do you enjoy most about what you do?
That’s a tough one, I enjoy a lot of what we do but, if I had to narrow it down to just one thing it would be, the designing process of the bikes and parts we offer.
2)Who in the industry inspires you? Who looks to be the industry leaders?
Well, I guess I would have to say Perry and Nancy Sands, the founders of Performance Machine. They started with a passion for motorcycles and not much else and became one of the most respected company’s in the industry. The most important thing I learned from them was, there’s no magic to succeeding in this industry. Just long hours, hard work and a true passion for motorcycling on all its levels. Nothing less than that will get you by. Assuming, you’re asking specifically about the custom motorcycle industry. The same guy who’s been leading it for the past ten years is still way out front, Jesse James of West Coast Choppers. I know it became fashionable among some to talk shit and spread a bunch rumors about him but, talk’s cheap. His shit was always tough, well thought out and very clean which made a lot people want one. Jesse James brought the motorcycle industry a very long way in a very short period of time. I think he still has a lot to offer. I also like a lot of the projects coming out of Roland’s new shop, RSD (Roland Sands Designs). They truly have their own approach to custom motorcycles, blending their designs from several arenas within the motorcycle industry. I think Roland’s ability to ride a motorcycle at such a high level, has a lot to do with the bikes and parts he designs. They too are headed to the “promise land “ so to speak. There are also guys like Scott Craig, Dave Freston, Max Schaaf and Cole Foster too. They seem to prefer the traditional styles of the 50’s and 60’s. While they may not have the financial resources of WCC or RSD, they still manage to build some of the most influential bikes I’ve ever seen. They all have that intangible eye for true style that will always stand the test of time.
3) What direction do you think the custom bike industry is taking? Is the hype over?
I think the custom motorcycle industry is better off today than it was ten years ago. While some riders who entered the market over the last decade will leave, a lot more will stay. So, there are still opportunities in the industry for those who want to be involved. Hype, are you kidding me? Custom bike are so five-minutes-ago, I can’t wait to start another one!
4) When did you get started in this field? When did your company originate?
I am the son of an auto mechanic who ran his shop just around the corner from our house so, my brothers and I have been tearing shit up for quite a while now. In fact, the first motorcycle my dad gave me, didn’t run. He told me if I could make it run, I could keep it, and I did. That was in 1974 and I was eleven. And, I’m pretty sure I haven’t been without some sort of motorcycle since. After working for Performance Machine for about seven years, I opened Top Shelf in May of 2003. I was still working at PM during the day. It went on like that for about another year.
5) Who has made the biggest impact on your life and in what you do?
My Dad, and my older brother, Lance. My Dad because he had the patience to let us hang with him at the shop and to teach us what ever he could. Also Lance because he and his friends had cool shit back then. He’s five years older than me so he did everything first but was willing to share his experiences with me. My Dad would take me to watch him and his friends to race motocross at Lyons Drag Strip or Ascott Park and Carlsbad Raceway. Then I started racing moto. Then, when they were old enough to drive, they all had badass cars. I still remember the day he traded his new dirt bike for his first car. It was a gold 1967 Chevelle SS with a 396 and a four speed, he was fifteenteen at the time. All of his friends had shit like that too, Camaros, Novas, Nomads, Super Bs, Fairlanes, you name it, one of his friends had one. My Dad had the shop so; they would bring their cars there to work on them. Back then they would run there cars at the original Irwindale drag strip. Anyway, being able to tag along through the years taught me a lot. In fact most of the people from back then are still a great source of information for me now.
6) What has been your biggest challenge?
In a word, CASH!
7)What project have you been most proud of?
It’s hard to say, I’ve had a lot of cars and motorcycles over the years and have had reason to be proud of each of them in one way or another. My sleeper street race was the most fun though.
8) What is the one sound that drives you crazy?
The exhaust note from an import tuner’s car that the exhaust system is the only tuning they’ve done.
9) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Taller!
10) If you had a different profession, what would it be?
Real Estate investor, I know it sounds boring but it can be a lot of fun.
11) What do you do for fun in your spare time?
I still ride some motocross and lately, I’ve been playing with my 1958 Chevy panel truck. It’s a beater but it’s what came along.
12) If you had to do it all over again, would you?
Right or wrong, most likely!
13) How did you feel when asked to be featured in the Joyrides Art Company Showcase?
I was stoked, of course.
STORY APPEARED ON JOYRDIES ART COMPANY. PHOTOS BY MARK KAWAKAMI OF JOYRIDES ART COMPANY. ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT 2008© |
