Indian Larry

Indian Larry
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Name	Indian Larry
Birth name	Lawrence DeSmedt
Birth date	1961
Birth place	New York City
Death date	2004-08-30
Death place	New York City
Occupation	Motorcyclist, custom motorcycle builder, stunt performer
Years active	1970s–2004

Indian Larry Indian Larry (born Lawrence DeSmedt; 1961–2004) was an American custom motorcycle builder, stunt rider, and artist based in New York City. He became a prominent figure in the chopper revival of the 1990s and early 2000s through his craftsmanship, performances, and media appearances, influencing builders, collectors, and popular culture. His work bridged hot rod aesthetics, rockabilly subculture, and East Coast craftsmanship, earning him recognition among peers and enthusiasts worldwide.

Early life and background

Larry grew up in Queens, New York, part of a family with roots in Massachusetts and connections to regional motorcycle clubs active in the 1970s and 1980s. As a youth he was exposed to hot rod culture, surfing and skateboarding scenes that intersected with motorcycle enthusiasts in Long Island and Brooklyn. Influential figures and locales such as the Hells Angels, Greasers subculture, and local bike shops in Flushing, Queens shaped his early interests. Encounters with iconic builders and events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Daytona Bike Week, and East Coast bike shows informed his tastes and ambitions.

Career and motorcycle building

Larry began building and customizing motorcycles in the 1970s and 1980s, apprenticing with and later collaborating with regionally known builders who had ties to Los Angeles and Detroit custom scenes. He worked alongside craftsmen associated with brands and institutions such as Harley-Davidson, Indian heritage restorers, and specialty shops influenced by V-twin engineering. His shop became a hub for riders connected to scenes centered on Coney Island and the Hudson River waterfront. Through exhibitions at the MoMA PS1-adjacent cultural circuit and bike shows in Philadelphia and Boston, Larry established a reputation for blending traditional techniques from coachbuilding and sheet metal crafting with modern fabrication methods like TIG welding and precision machining.

Television appearances and media influence

Larry gained national visibility through appearances on reality and motorcycle-focused programs, collaborating with producers tied to networks such as Discovery Channel, Speed Channel, and independent filmmakers from Brooklyn Independent Media. He worked with television personalities and producers familiar from shows connected to West Coast Choppers, Orange County Choppers, and celebrity builders who appeared on The Tonight Show and late-night entertainment programs. His media presence influenced magazines and publishers including Easyriders, Cycle World, Hot Bike, and independent zines distributed at events like the Vans Warped Tour and New York Comic Con. Larry’s partnership with photographers and journalists from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Esquire, and The New York Times expanded the cultural reach of custom motorcycle subculture into mainstream popular culture.

Style, techniques, and notable bikes

Larry's signature aesthetic combined elements from Art Deco ornamentation, World War II era patina, and rockabilly iconography, applied to rigid-frame choppers, bobbers, and baggers. He was known for hand-shaped tanks, custom raked front ends influenced by Nazar and Calavera iconography, and precision-engineered drivetrains drawing on parts from Buick and Ford V8 adaptations and aftermarket suppliers based in Daytona Beach. Notable builds drew attention at events like the Macc Motor Company shows and the Baggers Invitational, and were photographed by contributors to Vogue and GQ for features on American craftsmanship. Techniques included customized cam timing, bespoke exhaust routing inspired by Indian two-stroke heritage, and upholstery referencing Siegfried & Roy-era theatricality. Several of his bikes entered private collections alongside works by contemporaries such as builders from Chop Cult and galleries that exhibited motorcycle art.

Personal life and beliefs

Larry maintained friendships with a wide circle of builders, riders, and artists linked to neighborhoods across Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens. He was active in charity rides and community events associated with organizations like Muscular Dystrophy Association benefit runs, fundraisers for 9/11 first responders, and local motorcycle clubs that supported veteran causes tied to Veterans Affairs outreach. Influenced by musicians and artists from the CBGB and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame circuits, his personal philosophy emphasized craftsmanship, mentorship, and authenticity, aligning with movements present at venues such as The Fillmore and community workshops in Greenpoint.

Death and legacy

Larry died in 2004 following injuries sustained during a stunt performance in New York City. His death prompted tributes from builders, magazines, and cultural institutions spanning Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and European custom scenes in London and Barcelona. Posthumously, his work has been cited in exhibitions at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and private retrospective shows that examine late-20th-century American craftsmanship alongside works by contemporaries from Harley-Davidson customs and Indian restorers. Annual memorial rides and charity events in cities including New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco continue to honor his influence on modern custom motorcycle culture. His legacy persists through apprentices who established shops across New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and through ongoing coverage in print and digital outlets such as Motorcyclist (magazine), Bike EXIF, and independent documentary projects screened at festivals like Sundance Film Festival.

Category:American motorcycle builders Category:People from Queens, New York