Represent Entertainment Magazine

07/02/2014

Phoenix Biker Battleground
Dirty Bird Concepts
John Shope Part 1

About a year ago I took my chances and stopped into Dirty Bird Concepts hoping to speak with John Shope ( I use the word “stopped in” in jest as I actually drove about 100 miles to get there). I had been warned that Shope was an as***le and I shouldn’t expect much…..several people even said “he aint gonna talk to you and your “little” magazine”. So I did what any good ol fashioned writer/ Sicilian would do, I lied…….sort of……when his assistant asked who I was and what I wanted, I replied “I’m AJ from Baseline Sports Bar….John knows me (another small white lie) and I’d like to speak with him”. Waiting for John afforded me the opportunity to take a good hard look around at his showroom……impressive…..intimidating……lining the walls are countless articles written about the man and his talent…….the bikes on display are a testament , if not proof that the man is and always will be one of the best builders in the country. While trying to keep my drool meter in the black reviewing an amazing bike, not a bagger but an old school badass bike on display with a bicycle pedal for a kickstart, I heard footsteps approaching…. I look up to see John Shope……the man…the builder….the legend come around the corner stating “waddya want AJ”?.....I extent my hand as he looked down at his…..they are covered in grease and he’s attempting to wipe them off……I am shocked…..I looked at him…..I looked at his hands and blurted out “you WORK?”……(real smooth AJ…….real smooth)