Indian Larry: Chopper Shaman - Hardcover

Nichols, Dave; Desmedt, Andrea

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760323828 ISBN 13: 9780760323823

Publisher: Motorbooks Intl, 2006

Synopsis

A stunt man and side show performer made famous by the Discovery Channel, Indian Larry Desmedt is best remembered for his remarkable custom motorcycles, his wild tattoos, and his love for building and riding rolling art. This book, by those who knew him best, offers a closer look at the life that made Larry into the chopper shaman so many admired.

Full of photographs that document a uniquely colorful life, the book follows Larry from his humble beginnings to his unlikely stardom, tracing his short career as a bank robber, his time in prison, his spiral downward into heroin addiction, and his rebirth in 1994 as the spiritual bike builder revered by so many and running through it all, the love of hot rods and motorcycles that finally brought him happiness.

Why was he nicknamed Indian Larry? Because early in his career, he ceaselessly rode his Indian Motorcycles through the street of New York City. 

About this title

From the Back Cover:

“A great glimpse into the life of a legend.”

—Motorcycle Product News

 

Biker, bank robber, heroin addict: Indian Larry Desmedt filled all these roles in his too-short, complicated life. But he also filled other roles, like lover, healer, mystic, artist. Before his untimely death in 2004 Larry had descended into the deepest pits of hell, but he had returned with a strength and vision few ever attain. Indian Larry: Chopper Shaman chronicles Larry’s epic journey, from his early outlaw years to his rise to the top of the chopper world.

 

“This tome is a tribute to a great and inspirational man who was able to transcend the sinister side of his soul and triumph over the demons that haunted him. The book leaves us with a message of hope. We all have the ability to be heroes. We all live a hero’s journey.”

—Thunder Press

 

“With excellent—and diverse—photography, along with a compelling narrative, this is a good one for both the reading room and the archive.” —Fort Worth Star-Telegram

 

“ . . . intriguing paean to a New York legend . . . a fitting tribute to a revered character.”

—American Iron

About the Author:

Dave Nichols is the editor-in-chief of Easyriders and V-Twin Magazine. He is the author of MBI's Top Chops. Nichols lives in Edmonds, Washington, and hosts his own show on the SpeedTV network called V-Twin TV.

Bambi Desmedt is Indian Larry's widow.

Michael Lichter is the top chopper photographer working today. He is the author and/or photographer of MBI's Sturgis, Choppers: Heavy Metal Art, Billy Lane: Chop Fiction, Arlen Ness, and Top Chops. Lichter lives in Boulder, Colorado.

About this edition

• Publisher: Motorbooks Intl
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0760323828
• ISBN 13: 9780760323823
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 175