The Backyard Bikers, 1980s Carson California Motorcycle Crew Photo Albums

Southern California Bikers

Archive

[Biker Subculture] Carson California biker community photo albums documenting motorcycle culture, social gatherings, and everyday life of a working class Southern California riding club, 1985-1986. The albums record the social world of The Backyard Bikers, a group centered around custom motorcycles and community rides, with captions identifying some dates and locations including “Christmas at PIBBS Dec. 25, ’85” and “New Years 1985–86 at PIBBS.” One album is dedicated “In memory of Mustash Dave”. A single image depicts the assembler of the albums, a heavily tattooed man with a long beard and bandana identified in captions as “Horney.” The photographs show both men and women participating in rides and social events, and several images depict Black and white riders together, documenting a racially integrated motorcycle community at a time when such diversity was not widely associated with biker subculture. Handwritten captions throughout the albums add narrative detail and humor, including remarks such as “Higher higher/Not the car ME, asshole!” and “Where’s Paul/Look in the fridge Beers there,” providing insight into the group’s humor and tight relationships.

Two spiral bound photograph albums. Carson, California, 1985 to 1986. Brown leatherette covers with handwritten titles on the front reading “Christmas at PIBBS Dec. 25 ’85,” “New Years 1985–86 at PIBBS,” and “In memory of Mustash Dave.” The albums contain 142 color photographs mounted in plastic sleeves, most measuring approximately 3.5 x 5 inches. Images document custom Harley Davidson motorcycles, garage repair scenes, backyard gatherings, and group portraits. Several motorcycles are identified in captions, including “Paul’s” white chopper with gold accents, springer front end, and rigid frame, and “Dug’s” metallic gray chopper with elongated forks and hand painted detailing. Numerous photographs show backyard garages converted into improvised mechanical workshops with tools, oil stained floors, and motorcycles in mid repair. A series of photographs depicts a Lincoln Continental Mark V referred to in captions as “My incognito car,” while another sequence documents a restored Ford Model A finished in deep blue with wire wheels and chrome accessories.

The photographs emphasize both the mechanical culture and the social structure of Southern California's motorcycle community during the 1980s. Custom bikes appear throughout the albums as expressions of personal identity and skill, with captions referencing the “Shade Tree Mechanics”. Social gatherings are an equally prominent theme, including backyard parties, shared meals, and holiday celebrations around tables covered with beer bottles and cigarette packs. Family members appear alongside riders, including an older woman seated beside two bearded members in an affectionate portrait, reinforcing the familial structure of the community. The photographs collectively document a social network organized around motorcycles and mechanical craft. Binding intact with mild handling wear, photographs with occasional light fading but strong overall clarity, very good condition. A detailed and intimate record of a Southern California motorcycle community during the mid 1980s.

Item #21340

Price: $2,200.00