Sugar Bear

Sugar Bear: The Legendary Builder Who Redefined the Chopper

In the world of custom motorcycles, few names command as much respect as Sugar Bear. Known for his revolutionary designs and unmistakable long forks, Sugar Bear has become an icon in the chopper community. But his journey to the top was anything but conventional, shaped by perseverance, ingenuity, and a deep love for the culture that welcomed him.

Born in 1939 in Kansas City, Missouri, Sugar Bear’s early years were far removed from the wild world of motorcycles. In late 1953, his family moved to Los Angeles, California, where his life took a new direction. He attended UCLA on an athletic scholarship and, after graduation, took on an unexpected role: a probation officer at a juvenile forestry camp for troubled teenagers. While working with the youth, his gentle demeanor and solid presence earned him the nickname “Sugar Bear” from the very kids he supervised. The moniker stuck—not as a biker nickname, but as a testament to the way he handled himself.

The Peace Sign That Changed It All

It was 1969, and the custom motorcycle scene in LA was exploding. Sugar Bear, cruising down a busy street in his car, found his life about to change in an instant. A biker on a stretched-out chopper roared past him, the rider’s passenger flashing him a peace sign and a warm smile. In that moment, Sugar Bear knew he had to experience the freedom that chopper symbolized. He’d never ridden a motorcycle before, but that didn’t deter him. Within days, he bought the newly-released Honda 750 and set to work turning it into his very first chopper.

As a newcomer to the scene, Sugar Bear was rich in friends, including one who would prove invaluable: Ben Hardy. Hardy was the legendary builder behind the iconic “Captain America” and “Billy Bike” choppers in the movie Easy Rider. He took Sugar Bear under his wing, offering guidance on the fundamentals of chopper building. It was a formative experience, inspiring Sugar Bear to open his own shop in 1971. His goal was simple but ambitious—create choppers that looked stunning yet rode effortlessly.

Redefining the Chopper Fork: Sugar Bear’s Signature Style

When Sugar Bear started building, he wanted to create bikes that could be ridden, not just admired at bike shows. The forks available at the time were often made of hollow tubing, making them prone to flex and wobble, especially on long choppers. Sugar Bear took a different approach: he crafted his forks out of solid steel, ensuring they could handle the road without sacrificing stability.

But it wasn’t just the material that set his forks apart. Sugar Bear also developed a unique style of rockers—those pivot points at the end of the fork that connect to the front wheel—that dramatically improved the handling of stretched-out front ends. The result? Choppers that could be steered with one hand, with none of the “pogo” effect or front-end flop that plagued many long-forked bikes of the era. Today, Sugar Bear’s front ends are renowned for their rideability and control, setting the gold standard in the custom chopper world.

Breaking Barriers in the Biker Community

While Sugar Bear’s technical prowess was undeniable, his success didn’t come without challenges. The custom motorcycle scene of the early 1970s was overwhelmingly white, and being a Black man in the industry came with its share of obstacles. When he started building, no Black man had ever appeared on the cover of a motorcycle magazine. In 1972, Sugar Bear finally got his first cover shot, but there was a catch: most mainstream magazines wouldn’t show his face.

Undeterred, Sugar Bear stood firm. He told magazines that if they refused to show his photo, they couldn’t show his bikes either. It was a bold stance that slowly began to change perceptions in the industry. Yet, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that he appeared on the cover of Easy Riders Magazine alongside one of his iconic builds. By then, he was already a living legend, a pioneer who’d blazed a trail for future generations of diverse builders and riders.

Honoring a Legend: The Annual Sugar Bear Ride

Today, Sugar Bear’s contributions to the chopper world are celebrated each year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The annual “Sugar Bear Ride” honors the man and his lasting impact on the community, bringing together builders and riders from all backgrounds to share the love of choppers and the thrill of the open road. It’s more than just a ride—it’s a testament to the inclusivity, creativity, and brotherhood that Sugar Bear has championed throughout his life.

Giving Back to the Next Generation

Though he no longer runs the boot camp for troubled kids that earned him his nickname, Sugar Bear’s dedication to youth empowerment is as strong as ever. He frequently speaks at inner-city schools, using motorcycles as a vehicle to inspire the next generation. His focus is on the importance of education, especially math and engineering, which are crucial in motorcycle design and building. Sugar Bear is also a proud supporter of the Kennedy High School Chopper Class in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he’s helped secure sponsorships from companies like Harley-Davidson and personally donated one of his signature front ends for a student build.

A Lifetime of Love and Partnership

Through it all, Sugar Bear’s journey has been marked by one constant companion: Fuji, his wife and partner. The two are inseparable, sharing every twist and turn of their unique life together. Whether on the road or in the shop, they remain a team—a testament to love and loyalty in both life and business.

A Living Legend, Still Building Dreams

At 84, Sugar Bear’s influence shows no sign of fading. He still operates his shop, crafting custom forks that are sought after by builders around the world. His creations, designed to handle like a dream and look like works of art, continue to inspire the chopper community. More than just a builder, Sugar Bear is a symbol of perseverance, innovation, and passion.

From a chance peace sign on a sunny LA street to becoming one of the most revered figures in motorcycle history, Sugar Bear’s story is proof that sometimes, a single moment can change everything. Today, as always, he remains a pioneer, a teacher, and a legend—never far from the bike world he helped to shape.