User:Exhummerdude/English don

English Don ... English Don

Don hails from London England. He grew up in the time of 'Mods and Rockers' and identifies with the 'Greaser' bike clubs of the '60's and '70's. With over 35 years of experience in the motorcycle world he has retained a great knowledge of the culture. He co-founded New York City’s 2 legendary chopper shops 'Psycho Cycles and SD Cycles. Don is well known for his 'Digger Swing-arm' bikes, the most famous of these being 'Babylon Taxi' a 1981 4 speed Shovel-head.

His first bike was a BSA single cylinder OIF Gold Star. At one end of the spectrum were the screaming queens; Philip Salon and Boy George also Welsh Mafia driven Blitz, Wag and Le Beat-route clubs lorded over by Chris Sullivan and Steve Strange; frequented by artists like Spandau Ballet and Sade’ to the Rock-a-Billy days of sea-side clashes between second generation Mods 'n' Rockers.

For the next few years Don’s life would revolve around music and parties living the life of a rock star. His passion for motorcycles still intact he starts riding a beach racer CB360 and gets a reputation. He would eventually meet one 'Steg Von Heintz' a guitar player who he would have replace the guitarist in his band. Steg and Don later co-found 'SD. Cycles' in Astoria, Queens and start the hardcore NYC chopper scene. Their distinctive trademark style of building attracts the attention of the 'Iron Horse' editor 'David Snow' who begins to feature their bikes in the magazine.

SD Cycles gains popularity and they need a store front for a parts trade so they open the fledgling 'Psycho Cycles' on Avenue C in Manhattans East Village in 1993/4. Steg and Don divided the shops with Steg keeping 'Psycho Cycles'. Don moved his 'SD. Cycles' operation into the 'Cycle Therapy' building on 38th Street in Manhattans' 'Hells Kitchen'. Thus the 'chopper wars' began. Don hit the ground running showing bikes at the 'New York International Motorcycle Show 1994'. Meanwhile Steg floundered somewhat until taking on, the then destitute, drug addled and bike-less, 'Indian Larry' as a mechanic. Larrys’ pure genius and talent soon got 'Psycho Cycles' back on track. After being evicted at Avenue 'C' Psycho moved to garage space on the lower East side.

Larry and Don joined forces and came up with the name 'The Bayonet Brothers'. They then formed into a company along with the help of 'Timothy White' securing some control over the drowning Iron Horse and created the Bayonet Brothers merchandise catalogue. Don decided to close SD. Cycles and split the new and old parts into lots for auction to pay any outstanding depts. and get out while he could.

Filmography

 * TV Commercial Honda with singer Lou Reed during the early 1980s Appearance
 * TV Commercial for HBO with Tina Turner at about the same time Appearance
 * Chain of Command Live at the Ritz 1986 video TV broadcast
 * Documentary Rare breed for Rebo studios for Japanese HDTV 1995 Appearance
 * AE Documentary with Indian Larry in 1996/97 production
 * “Isle of Dogs” played as self Principle extra Film 2010
 * Currently cast in the role as “Mechanic” in the upcoming “Welcome to Graveland” another Tammi Sutton film