Indian larry question mark tattoos
There's no doubt about it. His life was his art. The minimalist style emerged from the New York scene, wherein Indian Larry Motorcycles aimed to render intricate designs that appear simple, showcasing the beauty of craftsmanship. The recent creation of the "Question Everything" patch, designed with different color rotations and shapes, highlights this ethos.
The unique Indian Larry chopper combines old-school aesthetics with modern flair, utilizing low front ends and a distinctive approach that maintains Larry's legacy. Despite the passing of Indian Larry in an accident during a stunt, his brand and philosophy endure. The logo—a question mark with wings—remains intact, signifying excellence and paying homage to the legendary Indian Motorcycle Company.
Each creation under his name pays tribute to his passion and artistry. Indian Larry, known for his individuality, avoided affiliations with any bike clubs, including the Hells Angels. His tattoo of a question mark on his body represents not just his identity but his quest for understanding and creativity. The Chain of Mystery motorcycle is a testament to his craftsmanship and holds significant historical value for fans.
Today, the Indian Larry motorcycle shop continued to thrive, overseen by his brother Bobby Seeger, ensuring Larry's spirit lives on through every creation that bears his mark.
Indian larry question mark tattoos: Indian Larry Tattoo · Indian Larry
Acknowledging risks as a performer, Larry distanced himself from the term "daredevil," underscoring his individuality with another notable tattoo, declaring "No Club Lone Wolf," signifying he wasn't seeking trouble indian larry question mark tattoos the character Lone Wolf McQuade, portrayed by Chuck Norris. The Indian Larry Motorcycles shop continues to honor his legacy through custom builds, quality parts, and unique merchandise.
Recently, they introduced a postcard-sized patch featuring his famous neck tattoo, perfect for collectors or for adding to vests and jackets. The shop promotes a variety of Indian Larry tattoo designs, inviting enthusiasts to explore the artistry and symbolism behind them. Additionally, during Larry's memorial celebration, tattoo artists were offering his trademark question mark tattoo to attendees, celebrating his enduring influence.
Indian Larry rose to prominence in the motorcycle scene during the s and remains a beloved figure in biker culture. The passion for his craft and the messages behind his ink have left a significant mark on both motorcycle art and the community surrounding it. This custom chopper, a Harley-Davidson, was the first notable bike he created, capturing worldwide attention and acclaim.
The auction, held by Mecum in Las Vegas, was a significant occasion, presenting two of his most famous creations. Indian Larry's craftsmanship is still honored, with his custom bikes — tailored for quality and design — capturing the interest of collectors and enthusiasts alike. The demand for these unique motorcycles shows no signs of waning, as evidenced by the successful auction of Larry's personal bikes, including the famed "Grease Monkey," which also graced the cover of Easyriders magazine in September These motorcycles symbolize a blend of artistry and engineering, leaving a lasting imprint on the custom bike community.
Tattoos in Native American culture possess significant meanings and serve as spiritual symbols. Each tribe employed tattoos uniquely, but they universally represented sacred rituals, often marking individuals with symbols of protection and guardian spirits. This cultural practice varies across states and tribes, each embedding specific significance in their tattoo designs.
Tattoos in Indian culture, similarly, carry profound meanings that hinge on their artistic representations and the cultural context in which they are embedded. Commonly, Indian tattoos embody aspects like cultural identity, pride, and heritage through various motifs. Notably, Hindu symbols are prevalent in Indian tattoos, each possessing deep spiritual meanings.
For instance, the Om symbol is revered in Hinduism as it signifies ultimate reality and cosmic sound, weaving a profound connection to the universe. Other symbols include the Lotus Flower representing purity and enlightenment and Ganesha tattoos, which symbolize wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. Indian tattoos transcend mere aesthetics; they are deeply rooted in cultural heritage and spirituality, reflecting individual identity and ancient traditions.
Tattoos convey a sense of belonging and inclusivity, especially when they resonate with specific cultural or religious identities. Symbols in tattoos can be designated by the Sanskrit term "Pratik," signifying the connection toward particular meanings derived from cultural narratives. A beefy Puerto Rican guy come over all smiles, and started talking to me about the bikes.
We chatted for a bit and the show let out. A group of guys came over, including Larry. Larry reached his hand out, shook mine. Everyone else, even the guy i had been talking to kind of melted back, and Larry just stood there talking to me. It was just so kind.
Indian larry question mark tattoos: Kendall Johnson got the question
No pretension, not snobbishness. It really stuck with me. I also loved most of the Legacy bikes that came out of that shop over the next few years. My bike is still set up that way and I will probably never change it. Fyi my YouTube picture has always been the Plum Crazy bike built by them lol. Thanks so much for putting this article up.
What a legend. Rest in peace old buddy. Larry was one of the most honest and down to earth dudes I ever met in the bike world glad to see he made it sad he had to go so soon coming up on 20 years to the day. He was a true mechanical artist. Each bike he made was a work of art. It was a privilege to visit his garage in Brooklyn. A true gentleman.
He was working on engine that has a knuckle head and a shovel head when we visited him. God bless him. I wish I could have met him. An artist and master at his craft. I try to live my life in his words. Seemed like after he was on TV he had the cool grandpa feel to him. A humble and missed man. This was a biker build off show, I know because I remember it, I also recorded the entire show on VCR tape, After the bikes were built they were to be ridden to prove that they actually worked, Indian Larry was standing up on the seat and lost his balance and fell off hitting his head, He died from the impact of head injuries he sustained, This was 17 years ago in I met Indian Larry in Laconia in He was so genuine and humble.
They have the right look.
Indian larry question mark tattoos: Just after getting his first question
And I love that they perform. The cartoonish fat tires and the shitty running engine were comical. Love and miss Indian Larry! His bikes are my favorite, for sure. Most practical and best looking. Absolute craftsmen! Always wanted to meet Larry, but never had the chance. I got used to it, but these kinds of bikes are a dream. Paul had a lot to do with it, but that was my only holdout on hard-tails until then.
They bend those down-tubes by hand. Nothing like old school bike building. You look at every last custom bike builder from the last 20 years, and only one stood the test of time…Indian Larry. His bikes were functional art, virtuoso masterpieces that fit equally well earning first place trophies in the show world as they did blasting through gritty city streets at full throttle.
Larry was far more than a mere chopper builder…he was equal parts master wrench, post modern artist, loonbar philosopher, unhinged maniac, visionary designer, freakshow performer par excellence and respectful historian. What a great guy. I remember seeing him on tv as a teen when he was starting to get recognized. Remember he would do tricks like jumping up on the seat and standing on it as the bike was rolling, always thought that was so bad ass and crazy.
He died doing what he loved and will always be a legend. Love his philosophy and the way he built his bikes. Wish he had more time on Earth. Indian Larry Indian Larry died doing exactly what he loved. Riding a bike he designed. The Indian heritage still lives on even though everybody has forgot about the Native Americans who lived on this land first.
Native American Indians were slaves first. Indian Larry was about giving everybody something that they can share… Which was riding motorcycles custom built to suit your needs. Definitely a huge loss to motorcycle community. I know nothing about bikes or building bikes. Judging from what i see and hear here, this guy was a special kind of person.
Very focused, humble and grounded. Edit: I watched the whole article now. The bikes shown here are just beautiful. In an incident that added to his tough persona, Larry lost a finger due to a mysterious explosion, the details of which he chose not to disclose, leaving speculation regarding whether it was caused by a pipe bomb or fireworks. Despite these hardships, Larry found solace in motorcycling, feeling at one with the universe during rides that helped alleviate feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
He considered himself a "lone wolf," eschewing membership in any motorcycle club. Larry's tattoos symbolized a conflict between his religious convictions and his morally questionable actions, particularly towards women. This duality was evident in stories he recounted about his life. In a cultural reference, the skinheads in the film "This Is England" sported indians larry question mark tattoos as markers of their identity, mirroring the tattoo culture's prevalence in various subcultures.
Additionally, a mural of an Indiana basketball legend, created by Jules Muck, drew public attention on Prospect Street, showcasing the intersection of art, identity, and community. Conversations around tattoos often pivot to their personal significance and indian larry question mark tattoos, with many expressing interest in sharing their unique designs, including iconic Larry tattoos.
For some, tattoos serve as representations of life experiences and milestones, contrasting with others that may just be aesthetic choices. Indian Larry, whose real name was Larry Desmedt, was a renowned custom motorcycle builder and a well-liked personality in the biking community, particularly recognized for his appearances on the Discovery Channel.
Although his talent was acknowledged by some during his life, it wasn't until the later years that he gained widespread recognition. Tragically, Larry's life was cut short when he died on August 30,due to severe head injuries sustained during a stunt at a motorcycle event in Concord, North Carolina. Larry was famous for his motorcycle stunts, including performances on his customized bike, the Grease Monkey, which had previously been showcased in Easyriders magazine.
He had a long history of performing stunts, one of which proved fatal during the filming of his Biker Build-Off show. On the day of the accident, he suffered a fall after failing to regain control while performing a trick, resulting in a broken leg and critical head injuries. He was airlifted to the Carolinas Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries just hours later.
Born and raised in the Newburgh area, Larry developed a passion for motorcycle building and riding, eventually earning a reputation as an extraordinary chopper builder and stunt performer, earning him the nickname Indian Larry for his unique rides through Manhattan. His untimely death left a significant impact on the motorcycle community, and he is remembered not only for his skills but also for his charismatic personality and contributions to custom motorcycle culture.
Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Last updated: December 19, In as Larry was exiting a bank he had just robbed, he was fired upon by two police officers. He narrowly escaped being killed when one of the bullets grazed his eyebrow. During his incarceration Larry earned his GEDand started taking courses in welding and mechanics.
Prison was "the place where he honed all his best mechanic skills. He was released in September After completing paroleLarry relocated to New York City where he became involved with the underground scene. Indian Larry began working in different motorcycle shops in New York City and New Jersey during the s and early s. Often he would be rebuilding motors out of his apartment.
Larry would later say, "I was homeless, shirtless, penniless, showerless I had nothing. I had nothing left". Larry had "" and "" tattooed on his arm, as he explained that he had to go back after his initial treatment. As friend and bike building partner Paul Cox explained: " Larry would attack himself internally and head down a self-destructive spiral.
And once he did, his life changed completely. It changed completely, like nobody I've ever seen. Larry is credited with helping to re-popularize the stripped down, tall handlebar, foot clutched, jockey shiftedno front brake or fender, small gas tank, open piped, kick start only, stock rake choppers that prevailed in the s, before long front ends became popular Larry explained during his first Biker Build-Offthat he preferred nimbleness in a bike so he could ride at high speeds along the mountain switchbacks.
When building a chopper, Larry could draw upon what he had mastered over the years in the fields of mechanics, welding, and metal fabrication. Among custom bike builders, Indian Larry was known and respected for having mastered the old-school style of building and remaining loyal to it. Larry explained, "I'm a chopper builder. Old-time, old-school chopper builder.
But I like the modern technology that's involved. So the bikes run better, perform better. And we have more fun with them. In the art of building a bike, Larry preferred old school methods and didn't use CNC machines. The man who taught Larry the craft of using a welding torch said that he remembered Larry not wanting to grind down welds if they were good because Larry "felt it showed your craftmanship.
Larry's childhood friend, Ted Doering, who knew Larry when he was first learning to build and would chrome parts for him, said that Larry had even envisioned the idea for a "'clear,' see-through transmission case" in order to "view the gears working". Doering added that Larry "would fabricate or customize every piece because on a motorcycle, you can see everything.
Larry's shop partner, Paul Cox, who first met Larry at Sixth Street Specials in the East Villageand started working with him at Psycho Cycles around [ 32 ] explained how Larry conceived the idea for a new chopper build: "Working alongside him you realized how much he ran on instinct. Built-in instinct. He would rarely make a sketch or jot down notes At that point it was 'all over but the cryin,' he would say.
When one of the choppers breaks down in Southern UtahLarry is shown performing his mechanical skills on the bike in a supermarket parking lot when his own bike has magneto problems, Larry explains to the camera, "If the bike is not running; if it's leaking oil; and if it's dirty. That's about the only three things that will really get to me.
Larry wanted to "elevate the art of the motorcycle" in the general perception and the art world. The Biker Build-Off programs provided a public forum to do this. The premise of each 45 minutes program was to profile two different custom motorcycle builders, each from a different part of the United States, and film them and their crews at work in their respective shops building a unique bike from start to finish within a set number of days.
They were given 30 days to build for Larry's first two Biker Build-Offsand 10 days for his third and final build for the program. Also shown helping Larry in the construction of each bike were Paul Cox and Keino Sasaki pronounced "cane-o" from his shop. The bike builders would then meet at a neutral location and be filmed riding across several states to a particular bike show.
The road trip was meant as a testing ground. Upon arrival at the bike shows, the general public in attendance could view the bikes and vote their preference between the two. Usually on the final day of a bike show, the votes would be tallied, a winner announced, and a trophy awarded. Indian Larry was voted the winner in all three Biker Build-Off competitions that he competed in.
Indian larry question mark tattoos: This site is about me, my
His second trophy was cut up and shared with his opponent, Billy Lane and the audience, after Larry unexpectedly declared an exact draw after it was announced that he had won in the voting. Indian Larry's fatal motorcycle accident occurred during the filming of his third Biker Build-Off inon the same day, and at the same bike show, where the votes were being tallied to determine the winner.
Indian Larry and crew built the Chain of Mystery bike for the final challenge. Larry said that the original idea for the bike's frame came to him in a flash of inspiration. He explained that his most creative ideas for a new build would flash across his mind in the form of an image, and then it would be his job to relentlessly chase that vision during a build until the image materialized in the finished product.
Since the frame is essentially the spine of the bike, any weaknesses in the welds could prove fatal, especially considering that Larry really pushed his bikes to perform when riding them. The right bike, the right day, the right road, I just pretty much feel at one with the universe. When I feel like I don't fit anywhere or I'm lonely or I'm like all screwed up in the head, I get on my bike and go.
Indian Larry considered himself a "lone wolf", and was not a member of a motorcycle clubnor of what are termed outlaw motorcycle clubs. When Indian Larry first met the woman that would become his wife, Andrea "Bambi" Cambridge, inher first impression of him is that she thought he looked like "a total mass-murderer". Bambi relates in the biography, Indian Larry: Chopper Shamanstories about how she first knew about Larry and the experiences that occurred before they came to be in a relationship.
Before they officially started to date inthey hung out together at a bar and Larry kept putting quarters in the jukeboxplaying romantic songs by Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline. This was when he was still drinking, and Bambi wrote that at one point he started crying, and said to her, "No one else is ever really going to know my soul". And Bambi thought to herself, "I will.
I could do that. Larry proposed to Bambi in the Bahamas. He surprised her by getting her name tattooed in circus letters on his chest. When he showed it to her he said, "You know, you only have one girl's name tattooed over your heart in a lifetime. She performed as "Bambi the Mermaid", and Larry's act involved lying on a bed of nails while large blocks of ice would be broken over his chest by a girl with a sledgehammer; or she would stand on his stomach.