All last week rumors spread again that employees had been laid off at Big Bear Choppers, that the company suspended operations and would not reopen this week. On Monday November 28, 2011, a local newspaper stated there was no sign of activity at the Big Bear Choppers facility. It’s not the first time, especially during the last 12 months, that the same rumors are heard about Big Bear Choppers, but owners Kevin and Mona Alsop always ended up commenting that they were just re-thinking the way to operate their company. On Monday I immediately contacted Mona Alsop for her comment on these rumors, but still with no reply from her at time of this publication.
Big Bear Choppers is one of the last couple of small manufacturers of custom motorcycles still operating in the US. Kevin Alsop is born in Australia, raced go-carts and dirt bikes, then moved to the US where he worked for a small california motorcycle shop, then in his own repair business until 1997. After meeting his wife Mona, a certified Veterinarian Technician, in 1998 they started Big Bear Choppers in Big Bear Lake, California.. The company “surfed” with success the big custom motorcycle craze, at one time offering 15 different models, all above $30,000, usually powered by S&S Evo, Twin Cam and X-Wedge engines, or complete unassembled custom bikes starting at $20,000.
Then, in 2006 business started to slow down and like most custom builders and manufacturers, the company suffered, tried to expand abroad in Europe, experimented with a bagger model, designed a just-under $20,000 custom model to attract new clients, but seem to have encountered little success with both strategies. Last April, the company received from the Small Business Loan Program a $100,000 loan whose status at this day is unknown
Of course, the Alsop’s don’t have any obligation to reply to my request for comment, but I think it would be wise that they make an official statement for their clients and my readers regarding the status of their company, whatever it is.
!
The industry of custom motorcycles and custom motorcycle manufacturing is no doubt in a serious slump. It is very obvious from all angles. It seems now to be only small shops with very low overhead will weather this storm .
Only time will tell……
Steve Carr
Well, well! In my opinion, their actions or lack of actions could not have happened to a more deserving team.
It would only seem to me what was spread around may have come back around to bite ones own asses. Poor business model or not is yet to be determined, but I would assume so. Plus filing lawsuits on quite a few in the industry did not help, and the frame recall issues are what they are and the lawsuit in NY may have helped bring their business down…who knows…do you?
Motorcycles are not a necessity based purchase and any astute business person would have seen the 10 year run coming to an end along with the economy tanking. Those entrenched and acting right are still here and will be…others fall to the wayside!
Back down under, who knows….but I wrote them off several years ago. Read the posts on Club Chopper and here to…form your own opinions and have the balls to post them please.
Still wondering about cryptic weave though? Print screen and save that Mona! As others say to me….Come see U Next Tuesday?
Boss Hawg
Cyril….here today’s read from the Big Bear Grizzly to support your article.
Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:01 am
By JUDI BOWERS Reporter | 0 comments
The sign is still on the building, the trucks in the parking lot and at least one custom motorcycle remains inside the Big Bear Choppers building on Fox Farm Road in Big Bear Lake. But there is no sign of life at the once-bustling custom motorcycle manufacturing business.
Is Big Bear Choppers defunct? Are the owners, Kevin and Mona Alsop, on the verge of foreclosure and/or bankruptcy? Has the operation been moved to Perris, Calif., or is that facility also closed? Will the customers who paid for custom bikes up front ever see their purchases?
Those questions and more are waiting for answers. Mona did not answer whether the company is open or closed when asked by The Grizzly. “I’m standing here right now,” she said, referring to the Big Bear Lake building. The telephone at the Big Bear Lake facility just rings, going unanswered by human or machine. The number at the Perris site has been disconnected. A sign on the door at the Big Bear Lake facility says closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, re-opening Nov. 28. The business did not re-open Nov. 28.
Mona said The Grizzly runs a story about Big Bear Choppers closing every year. She said the paper is more interested in listening to other reports than talking to her or Kevin directly. Reminded that The Grizzly was attempting to share her side of the story, Mona said, “When I’m ready to comment, I’ll call you.”
In early November, the TV show “Bloomberg The Mentor” featured the Alsops and Big Bear Choppers. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are paired with successful CEOs and corporate executives who offer advice and business strategy to rescue struggling ventures. On the episode, which was filmed in September, Pelican Products’ CEO Lyndon Faulkner offers the Alsops advice.
During the segment, the Alsops share how their business rose from repairing bikes in a small shop to an $18 million a year company. The economy hit hard and now Big Bear Choppers is able to produce about six bikes a month. Kevin said on the show that to break even, he needs to deliver 10 bikes a month, but he doesn’t have the resources nor the staff to accomplish the task.
It was also revealed on the TV show that Big Bear Choppers has numerous orders for custom motorcycles, which the customers have either paid for in full or paid a deposit, that haven’t been filled. Faulkner advised the Alsops to be honest with their customers and tell them the predicament they are in, which they did, at least for the TV cameras.
According to the show, the customers seemed to be supportive of the Alsops and their plight, but that may not be the case with all customers. The Grizzly received calls and emails from disgruntled customers. One man claims he paid Big Bear Choppers approximately $35,000 for a custom bike in January. He paid in full, in cash with the promise the bike would be delivered within 12 to 14 weeks.
The customer, who asked that his name not be used, said it took 30 days just to get an invoice. When the delivery date passed, the customer contacted Big Bear Choppers, but never reached the Alsops, nor did Mona or Kevin return phone calls. The customer said he still wasn’t worried, especially since the city of Big Bear Lake loaned Big Bear Choppers $100,000 through its small business investment program.
Once the customer heard from Big Bear Choppers, he said he heard a lot of excuses, but was promised the bike would be complete in July, then August. He said he was contacted by Big Bear Choppers again the week before Thanksgiving, only to be told the company was closing its doors and laying off the staff.
The customer went to the motorcycle manufacturing business, escorted by the Sheriff’s Department, he said. He recovered what he said is about half of a motorcycle, cutting his loss to about $15,000. The customer said he has met others facing the same problems with Big Bear Choppers.
In May, the city of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency approved a $100,000 direct loan to Big Bear Choppers through its small business investment program. According to the city’s website, the loan program is administered by the Small Business Administration. The money must be paid back within 20 years and the interest rate is 3.5 percent.
A call to Lyle Haynes, the city’s Improvement Agency director, was not returned as of press time.
Big Bear Choppers also received help in April from the San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board. The Layoff Aversion Program received funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide support to small businesses to retain employees.
On the Bloomberg show, Kevin stated that he and Mona searched for help but none was offered. “We screamed out for help,” Kevin stated. He said without business knowledge, he had hired people and overpaid them to help build his business.
Big Bear Choppers faced more challenges than the economy. The company was sued in 2009 for a product defect related to bike frames and welds. A man was severely injured in 2004 when his Big Bear Choppers bike’s front fender assembly failed. His right leg was amputated as a result of the injuries. The frame was recalled in 2004.
As late as Nov. 10 of this year, complaints against Big Bear Choppers were filed in relation to the faulty frame. The Better Business Bureau gave Big Bear Choppers an F grade citing failure to honor an accreditation agreement with the bureau, failure to respond to two complaints and three complaints remaining unresolved.
It’s unknown if the Alsops’ TV mentor was able to help. “If we lose this, we lose everything,” Mona said on the show.
Contact reporter Judi Bowers at 909-866-3456, ext. 137 or by e-mail at jbowers.grizzly@gmail.com.
The duo Kevin & Mona is somewhat controversial in the custom motorcycle industry due to some public statements considered arrogant like “We don’t do this for fun”, “Nobody understand the market better than us”, “We are inspirational and tomorrow we will be legendary”, etc. Also for exhibiting in Kevin’s office several glass-encased US patents stated by many well known builders and vendors to have been obtained after registering their own non-patented part ideas and designs. Then, BBC threatened or sued them ??? to legally prevent them to continue using their own fabricated parts. It may be legal to do this, but it made BBC very much disliked by the custom industry. Kevin doesn’t seem to be the idea man he always pretend to be.
It looks like it’s over for BBC. I don’t understand why business owners with difficulties continue to take deposits if they know they can’t build, lie to customers, deny they are in trouble, refuse to talk openly to the medias. Show that they never were good business people. It’s catching up…
No surprise.
Is Mona going to threaten to sue those making comments on this news?
Well….guess that’s all she wrote. Gonna call my chrome shop now and let them know they’re probably not getting paid for that “BBC” company that all of a sudden brought about 20 sets of forward controls in to polish and chrome a couple months ago.
Man, karma’s a bitch. I won’t air dirty laundry…but one thing I’ve learned in this life…”If you ain’t got your word, you ain’t got shit!”
Standing behind your product and being a humble and thankful business owner is about all you can do to stay alive in this industry. I’ve personally seen a lot of old “acquaintances” with crappy attitudes, poor business models and enormous egos, just “disappear”
People who can never seem to hold up their end of the deal yet think their shit didn’t stink…well, get ready to wallow in it, because you reap what you sew.
I wish nothing but the best to all in the industry…I just wish people weren’t so damn shady and self serving. Get over your egos folks…it’ll serve you well at the end of the day.
In this economy, some don’t deserve to disappear. Others do…
Again, again and again. Big ego pushes some business people to stay open too long. And some vendors may pay the price again.
Aw hell…
Maybe they have a “son” who can take it over and sell parts…
Jeezus…it just occured to me that Jeff Nicklus and Desperado Customs is now pretty much the ONLY custom production manufacturer left in town. Christ we’ll never hear the end of it!
(I’m guessing first words outta his mouth is gonna be “Musta been democrats”)
Cyril, at the start of the 90′s you must have been the 1st one to shape a rear fender like the one in the top picture. Did BBC patent it, then sue you?
Anyone who has ever dealt with Kevin knows he is an egotistical *%#hole! I’ve had many dealings with both he and Mona and if it wasn’t their way it was no way. The quote from the article is typical Mona “When I’m ready to comment I’ll call you” and the fact that the paper predicts it every year is mostly likely because they were over extended most of the time. I think lying to everyone was in their blood!
V-Twin Insider. You are right. I think that they are moribund since at least 1 year. Big mistake to stay open/close/open/close. How did they get a loan last April? SBA must be blind. Lost taxpayer money…
We’re still a custom motorcycle manufacturer but we have become much more diversified than just building custom bikes. We also offer full service, repairs and customizing to our clients with Harleys and other American brands. That’s where we started in this industry and we’re still doing that along with the bike building. In this economy diversification seems to be the only solution to keeping the doors open. I’m personlly not a fan of BBC but I still hate to see any American company go under. They seem to have made some serious mistakes in handling their recalls and I’ve always been very leery of their frame designs. They may have alienated some of us while doing their thing over the past several years too. Hopefully their employees can find work soon if they are actually done.
Web site is still up. No current press release though.
@ The Supreme Team
“Jeezus…it just occured to me that Jeff Nicklus and Desperado Customs is now pretty much the ONLY custom production manufacturer left in town. Christ we’ll never hear the end of it!”
Nope… Three Two Choppers is still open for business.
I think that most of you can guess my feelings on this subject, good riddance to bad rubbish! Boss Hawg and I are in total agreement that “could not have happened to a more deserving team.”! And as usual Mona is as condescending, egotistical and arrogant as always unto the bitter end! It was amazing that they lasted as long as they did, never could figure that out how they did it but guess we’ll never know the inside details on that now. I’ll bet that you and I through some ill fated and poorly conceived and administered government program paid to keep them open for some period of time! More poor hard working stiffs tax dollars at work!
Personally I hope they both rot in hell for all eternity!
LL
Hey Larry, why hold back? Why not say what you really feel? Don’t pussyfoot around the issue. And Larry, they lasted as long as they did because they built the most stylish, mega-cool range of choppers on the market. I’ve known Kevin for some years and have always been impressed with his design talents and passion for quality. S&S motors, Baker transmissions, Performance Machine wheels and brakes, Wire Plus electrics – it doesn’t get any higher class than this. America’s economy, driven by a ‘greed is good’ philosophy has been the reason for the collapse of the custom bike market along with major manufacturers’ sales slumps. No-one saw it coming. Not Sheldon Coleman with his high-powered team of economic advisors, not the great Harley-Davidson Motor Company, nor Pro-One, American Ironhorse and all the rest. Furthermore, I’ll stake my reputation on the prediction that we haven’t seen the last of Kevin and Mona Alsop’s involvement in the bike building industry. And I welcome that, as do a waiting list of customers for his products in a number of international markets.
this is very sad to hear. We need chopper business to make it through this recession for our sake, the people they employ and for future generations to be able to get into choppers.
Here’s hoping they can restructure and come out of this stronger. best of luck BBC.
Eric
You don’t want to see anyone go under, but you know in this case karma has hit big time. You can’t screw everyone and expect it not to bite you.
BBC. Inspirational? Or inspired by all top one-off custom builders? We all know the answer.
Here is a article from the Big Bear News from Nov 30 2011
Big Bear, Ca, November 30, 2011, 11:00am – Motorists on Fox Farm road may notice a difference in the appearance at Big Bear Choppers as they pass by. Recently the front display area has been emptied, and the building has been very quite and dark for the past week. In early November, Big Bear Choppers co-owners Mona and Kevin Alsop were featured on Bloomberg TV’s television show “The Mentor,” in which they were helped by a CEO of a large corporation on how to run their business better. In the 30 minute special, the couple both stated that their business was in trouble, and at one point Kevin stated that if things don’t turn around the business could go under in three to eight months. The program aired ending with things looking up for the business that has been in Big Bear since 1998. In its 13 year’s in business the company has gone from making 100 motorcycles a month and custom bikes being sold at 55 shops world wide to most recently only being able to make 6-7 custom motorcycles a month. In the Bloomberg special the couple said they were currently 110 bikes behind production schedule. Earlier this year the business took out a loan with the City of Big Bear Lake to purchase machinery that would help them produce bikes, and they also took out a loan with First Mountain Bank. At this time it is unconfirmed, but rumors are circulating that First Mountain Bank foreclosed on the loan, and that Big Bear Choppers has closed its doors and is out of business. KBHR has attempted to contact the Alsop’s and First Mountain Bank for confirmation, but have been able to reach either party.
@ Three Two…no disrespect intended…I just meant “volume” production…not sure what you do per year…just figured Desperado is still pushing through a hell of a lot of bikes per month.
Hey Doc,
BBC totally sucks, they stole their designs and screwed nearly everyone in the business and that did business with them. They totally lied and tried to sweep the frame issues under the carpet and put thousands of people at serious risk! You are so uninformed it defies imagination!
Hey Boss, tell this guy what you think of BBC and why, am I right or am I right?
LL
LOL at 3-2… Don’t you two have day jobs and no trailer? I believe, what I’ve heard, was you sold your trailer because “you didn’t need it”???
Seriously, I think my fathers companies are the only 2 left producing a larger number of bikes… Crazy feeling!
Doc. You are far away in Australia. You don’t know much about the Alsop’s. You should import them in your country, then watch.
Hey Hub789, the Australian importer, Wild Card Customs, has run a thriving business for several years now. As I write this he has orders for quite a number of bikes. Watch this space. As for ‘far away’ – I visit the US at least twice a year for several weeks at a time, and this year spent some time at Big Bear on the way back from Sturgis in August, my fifth visit there over the past few years. Big Bear bikes have a solid reputation down here with by far the majority of buyers still owning them and riding the wheels off them.
FYI….
A very close friend of mine that lives in Miami is good friends with to Eddie Trotta and knows Alfredo Carlini of Hardcore Choppers Originals as well. He told me that he had spoken with both of those guys and they were both working six days a week. He also told me that Carlini told him that they had built 32 bikes to date this year and that Hardcore had a 3 to 4 month waiting list. During the conversation he mentioned that a good portion of his sales were over seas. Trotta told him the same thing. Additionally, Carlini told him that they just moved to a larger building and had expanded their frame and roller operation from new orders. I looked at the Hardcore website and it seems to be true. Carlini told him that he was very grateful and was very humble considering the state of the economy and how bad the industry was doing. Trotta told him that they built 26 bikes to date and had orders pending.
I have seen their bikes and they are both high quality machines. They both have a great reputation in the business. I am glad to hear that at least there are 2 good builders left on the East Coast. I have been checking both of their sites and they are posting up new builds regularly. So,it seems to me that they are backing up what they told my good friend..
I wish them the best and anybody else that is left.
As always, Cyril brings us the latest news, weather they are good or bad…….In this case, it is sad to hear that Big Bear is having serious problems…..or worst…they are shutting down. It’s very bad for the industry and just sad period.
Hopefully, Jesse and the Teutuls can give the industry a much needed little bump with the special next week that is airing on Discovery. And yes I will watch it!
Once again, keep up the good work Cyril.
Buenas Noches amigos!
El Loco.
Jesse James lives!!!!
Hey Doc,
Yeah, that was one of the big problems, me and several other BBC owners rode the wheels off, along with the entire front end!
LL
Glad to see the last of the bullshit bike builders bite the dust! Anyone who ever met them knows how we all feel about this. It’s funny to me to see the arrogant guys are all gone now the market is in the crapper. I could make a long list of names but you all know who was down to earth and who were assholes. Now that the TV shows are almost over and the bandwagon builders are gone. Who is left to enjoy this buyers market on big twins? All of us the real bikers who were riding before Discovery channel mass marketed our lifestyle. Now we all know who is the REAL DEAL and who were FAKE ASS BITCHES. Look around and you will see who is left standing strong! I can think of one bagger of the month builder who thinks his shit don’t stink. Cant wait to read about him going out of business one day too!
wow, the fangs come out. Damn people….. and Conrad, come on…. that was a classless comment. Why knock anyone for doing their job, staying in business. I am sure your dad is doing well and that is awesome, but really…. this is an industry of friendship and comradre…. why slam someone who is making a go at it.
Anyway…. good luck 3-2, good luck BBC and good luck to everyone else out there making a go at it. This is a tough industry (what industry isn’t suffering in this economy). We need to stick together.
I’m just sayin!
@The Supreme Team
Didn’t take it that way, so no worries. Just letting people know there are other Manufacturers out there large or small surviving in this tough economy.
@Conrad
I’m happy for your dad and his continued success. If your a part of that good for you too.
Like us or not buddy, we are manufacturing motorcycles, we are still open, going on 8 years now and have designed and built our own bikes. We (my brother and I) hand build every bike once ordered.
I’m sorry that’s not good enough for you and your high standards. Honestly, all I ever see from you is negativity and condescending posts to others. When are you going to grow up and let your actions speak for who your are rather than your empty words? Your always spouting “look how great I am” with nothing backing it up? What happened to the business you started? I remember Cyril posting about it but haven’t ever seen anything come of it?
My brother works at 3/2 full time. I had to take a job to support my family. If that makes me less of a builder in your or anyone’s eyes then so be it. I bare the burden of the long hours for my family and still get the chance to keep my dream alive. I’m very thankful for that. The honest truth is, now I work twice as hard. I still do everything I need to for 3/2 in the evenings and weekends and every other chance I get. I don’t have the luxury of falling back on my ol mans coat tails when things don’t work out. Does that make any sense to you? Probably not, but I’m sure it does to most who read this.
I welcome you to my shop anytime. This way you can come see what we do first hand instead of asking everyone about us. This way there is no guessing on your part. Let me know buddy, hopefully you will be at the Dallas show this weekend and we can discuss it further.
-JC
Three Two…. total class!
-Eric
JC,
Well said. I for one wish you guys well and if there anything I can do for you give me a call. I hope Conrad takes you up on your invitation to visit your shop. No sure how or why you guys have gotten so crossed ways with each other but it is time to resolve the issues and move forward. Lord knows there are not many of us remaining in this industry and those who are should spend our time in development of new products instead of wasting time and energy in a pissing match.
Over & Out,
Jeff
Thanks Jeff I appreciate that. I understand how it is when your young. Conrad will come out of it as lifes lessons work their magic.
I’m sure you understand how difficult it is to start your own business and keep the doors open. Especially, when your government is only making things more difficult, but that’s a whole different discussion. I agree with you though, the industry needs to be more supportive of each other. We should have each others back. I don’t feel builders are in competition with each other. Each builder has their own style (like it or not) and customers will choose who to go to based off that style and what appeals to them. The more you get to know us you will realize we are all about “contribute to the culture… Don’t exploit it”. There are to many who take from it and dont add to it.
Oh yeah, and for the record, I didn’t call you old, I said ol. Ha ha.
Take care buddy!
-JC
Hey Doc….you must be a smokin sumtin mighty good down under since you fell for all the BBC smoke and mirrors aussie treatments …we gots sum Billy Beer here for ya in South Georgia, too…LMFAO.
Wake up Doc….it’s all in your face and you still don’t see the outback for the dust do ya? Get on the inside and, as Paul Harvey says…now the rest of the story.
And you know Doc….those two may just be building Custom Bikes again one day soon, especially if they have not put all those deposits in an escrow account or trust account as required until delivery of said “motor vehicle” . Maybe they will be inmate choppers…hahahahahahaha lmfao I HOPE THE FEDS FIND GROUNDS AND GO AFTER RICO AND NAIL BOTH THERE ASSESS TO THE MAXIMUM.
One final note Doc…Lighting Larry is one of the few here with the BALLS to post the truth and that really knows the truth.
Boss Hawg
Many thanks Boss!
I live by the truth and I expect those I do business with to do the same, just that simple.
LL
Larry,
We have to excuse him…He is just another Aussie Brother caught in the blue sky an wiffle dust of FemDom…lmfao.
Boss Hawg
Jc,
I am stunned by the classiness of your response, I expected something quite trite. With that being said, my business is doing like all the others in the industry, slow! I have built 23 (the 23 is strictly a coincidence and not on purpose as a competition with 3/2) bikes to date, including the original “Madrad” which was posted on here as the #1 for Impressive Motorsports. I have one in the works right now and hoping for some more, but as school progresses in the semester and the work load intensifies, I am sure you can understand how jammed I am… It is like I am working 4 jobs in a 24 hour period, 7 days a week.
As for “asking everyone about” you guys, you couldn’t be any further from the truth. I don’t ask about anyone as I find myself quite fulfilling enough for the time being. I simply hear things from fellow builders, who are good friends of mine, and know firsthand what many people say at the shows.
Now, on to the subject of coat tails, we are back to the same thing that angered me with you in the first place…. I don’t ride his coattails at all, I love my family and the opportunities I have had so far in life, but I do my own thing and cover my own actions. Whether be the days when I worked at Sam’s Club, Abercrombie, Outback, etc. etc. etc. I am still here taking care of myself and not falling back on to or using my father’s name for anything. If you notice, even our bikes are so far opposites from each other its not even funny! Hell, my bikes aren’t even allowed to be in the JNC or Desperado shops!
As for Dallas, I was not aware of any bike show there this weekend? I am down to check this place out next time I am there, I use to go every weekend but now I find Austin more interesting and less fake people (not to knock on Dallas/Ft Worth).
PS: Most of my posts on here are actually very good comments towards bikes, parts, news, etc. that I like… Usually if I do not like it or do not care about it I don’t post. I do post when people come in and beat their chests and pound their drums in spite of others.
JC,
In your post to my dad you said “Especially, when YOUR government is only making things more difficult, but that’s a whole different discussion”!!!! Now, we can damn sure agree on this… its NOT my government!!!!!! You can thank all the Liberal morons and Obama lovers for this conundrum of bullsh*t we are facing now! That IS an entire discussion we can all have off the internet one day in the future, completely idiotic professional gangsters is all our government is filled with.
@ 32 “I had to take a job to support my family. If that makes me less of a builder in your or anyone’s eyes then so be it. I bare the burden of the long hours for my family and still get the chance to keep my dream alive. I’m very thankful” so well put and for the record that makes u MORE of a builder… Much respect..
Whilst not related to BBC. The Supreme Team said they stand by their word and as a customer of Supreme you can take their word to the bank. They stand behind what they make and sell. I would not buy controls from anyone else.
Back to BBC, the one smart thing that BBC did and none of the other production chopper builders did was to get their bikes ADR approved so they can be sold, registered and insured in all Australian states. They seem to sell quite well over here, it’s just a shame that other builders don’t do the same so we can have some really cool stuff down under.
Hey Conrad,
Preach it brother!!!!! I could not possibly agree with you more on that! Liberalism and Obama are destroying everything our country stands for and fought so hard for! Government should be providing a positive free enterprise market place so that small medium and large businesses can thrive! Instead they are making it nearly impossible for the honest businessman to do business.
LL
@ JC,
You had hit the nail on the head with your comment “The more you get to know us you will realize we are all about “contribute to the culture… Don’t exploit it”. There are to many who take from it and dont add to it.”, just another reason why BBC deserves to go down and go down hard!
LL
Rumor is they are opening a H.A backed shop in Redlands
Remember what happened to Titan motorcyles… history does repeat itself! I believe that if they focused on custom parts.. they would still be in business.
They did focus on custom parts. The parts were EVERYONE else’s that they knocked off. What comes around goes around. Karma’s a mother@&cker!
Like them or not I dont like the message this sends about our industry and the economy in the USA
Just to correct you Stephen, yes BBC was very smart to get ADR compliance on their bikes so they could sell them in Australia in all states, and they have sold a lot of them down here. I had a dealer just 5 minutes walking distance from my house until they recently closed.
But I believe Hellbound Steel was first, followed by Pro-One, then Saxon, and finally BBC. I don’t know if Pro-One is still in the game, but dealers here in WA still have plenty of them in stock along with plenty of Saxon bikes who are still supplying down here.
Sort of a smart move as our economy is running just fine and booming here in WA with the current mining boom, but we never had the TV saturation of Choppers like they had in the US, so it never really took off here with every “cashed up bogan” buying a chopper like you would have expected, as they just didn’t know about them. They seem to have just stuck to SS Commodore utes, jet skis and drugs…
Who needs FACEBOOK, when we’ve got this thread??
Coincidentally, I had someone ask to trade their ‘almost new’ Desperado bike for my Vette last week ( actually considered it ), …. and I almost purchased a BBC instead of my BDM 2 years ago ( no jokes
) … so i find this whole thread pretty interesting…
That all being said, truly sad to see BBC handle their business they way they have as they must have known the doors would be closing and customers would be screwed out of their $$
I’ve followed similar bashings though .. Gilroy Indian.. Ridley .. BDM … the list goes on
However, these folks on the surface seem to be worse than most …. Parallels what some wall streeters do to investor $ 
@Conrad
Thanks for the response and I do understand there is not enough time in the day.
The show this weekend is the Progressive M/C Show where the Ulitimate Builder Series (Part of the AMD) has one of many competitions.
Good luck to you and if you ever need anything let us know.
The only other thing I can say to you and everyone who loves this industry and country is, VOTE HIM and HIS PARTY OUT in 2012 and we will all start to see things turn around.
@MC
Thank you brother.
My Mom said if you have nothing nice to say keep your mouth shut
My friends say, if you don’t have a dog in the fight, back up
My wife says: be nice, it costs nothing and the benefits are many
I say – show some class, be respectful, treat people as you’d like to be treated.
It’s a small world and what comes around…..
Respect!
I agree, this is better than facebook!
Steveb. You wrote “I say – show some class, be respectful, treat people as you’d like to be treated. It’s a small world and what comes around”
You must talk to BBC.
Rick Lossner,
I know exactly who you are talking about wanting to trade the Desperado ….. he paid over $40K for the bike new (2011 model) and has MAYBE put 150 miles on it ….. I don’t know what year Vette you have but if you are looking for a deal on a bike this could be the trade of the century. Just my two cents worth.
Over & Out,
Jeff
@Stephen…thanks for the bump.
@Conrad and 32…you kids…I tell ya. Glad to see some semblance of respect worked into the conversation.
At the end…yes, BBC copied a LOT of people’s products, apparently screwed more industry folks on a personal level than most of us probably know, and now when a guy might be able to lean on an industry friend and co-occupy a building, cut some overhead, source some things out….you’ve got somebody who pissed off enough people that nobody’d give the guy a passing glance if he were begging for change. BBC did make some very pretty bikes..I’ll give ‘em that. I still see a lot of them around town in So. Cal.
Sucks for the industry, and though I’m sure it’s a couple more builds divvied up among 25-30 other builders now, removal of large competition from the game means that it’s getting very very small again and will continue to stay small for quite some time, because the notoriety and “rock star” aspect has diminished. That’s not a bad thing at all to us bothered by big egos, but it is a bother when people…the general public that is, will not see the vast styles that used to run throughout the industry.
Smart money’s on the little guys who have somehow been able to grow bit by bit, even just a couple extra bikes each year, in the last 5 years…if you’ve made it this far…you’ll probably be around a hell of a long time.
At the end of the day, and from what it appears in reading everybody’s thoughts on this post, I think we’re nearing the end of the a**holes in the industry, and now the ego issues should subside. Time to group up, support the other guy with a pat on the back and enjoy what’s left of the industry until the next wave of money hits the shore.
Since most folks here seem to know a good deal about the industry, I was curious
if there was a link or a site that indicates a current list of USA Production Custom Choppers available to the public? Thanks for all the good info on this site!
Hello all I’m one of the Suckers that they have played I’ve lost my life savings to BBC. They have stolen all Ive had. I’m not sure how this is going to work out but they sure new what they were doing to me. H.A. wont patch this man. Who does this guy thinks he is. I’m sure they don’t want all this games he has played. He has taken advantage of us that has fought for his right to be here in the US. US vets deserve truth, honesty.and respect, as do all others.
Yowch.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN…. TRUST ME,, I HAVE FACTUAL KNOWLEGE OF BIG BEAR’S CLOSING AND BEING FORCLOSED ON BY THE BANK AND THE CITY OF BIG BEAR AND OF BILKING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF UNSUSPECTING CLIENTS…AND ATTEMPTING THE TAKING OF CASH DEPOSITS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE DAY THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS…KEVIN AND MONO ALSOP ARE THE MOST CONVINCING LIARS I HAVE NEVER MET….THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT THEY NOT ONLY DID NOT TALK TO PEOPLE WHO PAYED CASH FOR THEIR BUILDS SINCE THE BEGINNING, BUT THEY NEVER HAVE AND NEVER HAD ANY INTENSION OF LETTING US KNOW THEY WERE GOING UNDER AND NEVER HAD ANY INTENSION OF GIVING US A BIKE OR OUR MONEY…. IT IS AS IF WE SHOULD BE HAPPY TO JUST HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF GIVING THEM OUR HARD EARNED CASH…THEY ACTED AS IF THEY WERE ENTITLED TO IT… SO THEY PLAN ON SUEING PEOPLE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH… GOOD LUCK WITH THAT….I MET MONA ONCE AND SHE FLAT LIED TO ME AND WAS AS CONVINCING AS ANYONE I HAVE EVER HEARD LIE… SHE SHOULD BE AN ACTRESS…I WISH THEM NOTHING BUT BAD LUCK…..
Now now now…BOYS….
Fresh from the World of Banking and Police Blotters….
It is said that Big Bear Choppers Owners Kevin & Mona Alsop just had their house foreclosed and seized today by the local sheriffs department for the bank of record. Gotta watch those personal guarantees…I hope those that put deposits down have secured collateral assets or go to the FBI.
Gonna get interesting……Bruuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrr and 25 degrees and snowing…WTF
Makes me so damn happy out comes the bottle of Crown Royal !
Whaddayathink Boys?
Boss Hawg
“It is said that Big Bear Choppers Owners Kevin & Mona Alsop just had their house foreclosed and seized today by the local sheriff’s department for the bank of record.”
WOW Boss, now that’s some news there that is! LOL. Now what I need to hear is that sheriff’s deputies have arrested Big Bear Choppers Owners Kevin & Mona Alsop on felony charges for bilking tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting clients! That truly would make my day!!!!!! “Don’t do the crime if ya can’t do the time!”
Hey Boss, save me a couple o` shots of that CR my friend!
LL
Kind of reminds me of master builder Chip Myler… Isn’t he in jail for ripping off customers?
Wow , this is making everyone crazy.
Thanks guys for support.if any add v ice pleas feel free to spitting it out.I am hurting and not sure were to turn.any info would help.
Talk to the Sheriff Spike. If they’re doing the foreclosures alongside the banks, you should be able to get some insight where to go from them.
@Spike,
Contact your state Attorney General’s office as to what you can do about it. That would be the place where I would start.
Also, thanks for your service to this country! You are deeply revered in my book!
LL
@ The Supreme Team,
That would only be if he lives in the same county as BBC. If he is anywhere else within the state or out of state then the state Attorney General’s office where he resides would be the best place to start I should think.
LL
Man guys I mean it I thank you for your support.this is going to be a long ride.this was not the dream that I had planed for my life.probably next is the gutter for me.wish you all the best thanks again
Too bad for Big Bear. I have an 06 DA kit bike I built and love it, and I ride the poop out of it. The parts they use are second to none and I expect this bike to outlast me.
I’m not a big fan of how they handled the recall.
LL….
Never had to deal with anything like this thankfully…just figured the Sheriff would be the person to direct them, which I’d guess would be when they would refer him to the Attorney General.
Spike…sure am sorry to hear this. Seems the sunzabitchez are really out and about lately. My old inspector is about 72 and retired….got bilked out of 210K by a friend…a 15 year friend, with some investment scheme. Turns out the guy pulled about 780K total from different “friends”
I wish you the best and hope good karma comes your way friend.
Spike
Start with the local newspaper….Big Bear Grizzly.
You will find the reporter a vast wealth of infinite wisdom and profound knowledge regarding Mona Asslap..oops I meant Alsop and Kevin Alsop and Big Bear Choppers.
Contact reporter Judi Bowers at 909-866-3456, ext. 137 or by e-mail at jbowers.grizzly@gmail.com.
Lightning Larry…nothing pleases me more to see cocksuckers like these left out in the cold with no where to go. Hell I even took a can of Billy Beer out of the basement and made a good ol Crown and Billy beer boilermaker…
I do think it may just be federal crimes in line with cross state charges with the FBI moving in like they did with
http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2008/08/21/mid-west-choppers-prosecuted-for-fraud/
http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2010/01/22/breaking-news-former-mid-west-choppers-owner-chip-miyler-to-spend-3-12-years-in-prison/
Semper Fidelis to those that are loyal and truthful………. to those else-wise….don’t drop the soap….hahahaha
Mona….please tell us how you really feel now…come clean!
Boss Hawg
Whilst we are all experiencing a downturn in sales, not all custom bike builders and sellers are dead yet! MAGNUM CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES remains Australia’s sole importer of PRO ONE custom motorcycles, and we have lots of interest in our superb bikes, even though sales are down just a bit. PRO ONE build a top quality bike, Wade Spinney and his staff have been building for years, no recalls – full warranty. I guess it’s much like the old saying, “the cream rises to the top”. Yes, sales are slow in the USA but PRO ONE are still firmly in the custom bike building business, and MAGNUM CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES is very much alive and kicking in Australia. Great product and great service, PRO ONE and MAGNUM offer our customers the ultimate in custom motorcycles.
Seriously, I think my fathers companies are the only 2 left producing a larger number of bikes
Conrad must lonely at the top ????? How is the view from up there??
seriously as you have grown up in the industry you write a book on the do s and dont s
so mant rumours on these 2 most of them evolve around guys synonymous with two letters and two numbers and we’ll leave it that
Hey Stephen, maybe you might like to look around a little. PRO ONE motorcycles have been ADR approved for years. PRO ONE bikes are high quality, no wheels falling off, they are the real deal as far as fully ADR compliant custom bikes go.
You may also wish to note that Geoff Le Levre organised ALL the compliancing for BBC in Australia, and was promptly dudded by Kevin Alsop. You may also know of his subsequent suicide. Geoff was an amazing guy and did more than any other person to bring BBC to Australia. A real gentleman, very much missed.
I’m surprised Art Welch didn’t carry this brand too. It seems he’s put the hex on nearly every brand his shop has sold. Now it’s just a matter of time for Polaris to go down. What goes around comes around.
Does anyone have a working phone # for Big Bear and the owners personal phone #’s?
@ Contact…
Seriously Dude…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKE3FSPJu-4 Ground control to Major Tom.
Boss Hawg
I TO WAS A VICTIM OF THE BIG BEAR CHOPPERS BILKING SCAM… THEY TOOK $33,565.00 OF MY MONEY LAST JANUARY… I NEVER SAW A BIKE OR HEARD FROM KEVIN OR MONO UNTIL AUGUST 1…. BY WHICH TIME I WAS LIED TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR MONTHS… THEY NOT ONLY TOOK MY MONEY, BUT THEY GOT A BIG LOAN ABOUT THE TIME MY BIKE WAS TO BE COMPLETED… THEY STILL DIDN’ T BUILD IT… THEY HAD NO INTENTION OF DOING SO… THEY FINALLY PUT TOGETHER ABOUT HALF OF MY BIKE IN SEPTEMBER AFTER I MADE SO MANY LEGAL THREATS THEY WERE FORCED TO DO IT… WHEN I GOT WIND OF THEM CLOSING, I RAN UP THERE AND RETRIEVED WHAT I COULD… THEY RELUCTANTLY GAVE ME WHAT THEY HAD OF MINE…NEITHER OF THEM (KEVIN OR MONA) HAD ANY REMORSE IN THEIRS HEARTS… IT WAS ALL ABOUT THEM… WHEN I CONTACTED MONA… SHE WAS UPSET THAT I CALLED HER ON HER CELL PHONE… NOT UPSET THAT THEY TOOK MY MONEY NOR NOT UPSET THAT THEY TOOK A LOT OF MONEY FROM SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS… BUT UPSET THAT I CALLED THEM ON MONA’S PERSONAL LINE… I DID CALL KEVIN ABOUT A 100 TIMES AND DID WRITE ABOUT A 1OO EMAILS TO HIM… HE FINALLY RESPONDED TO MY CALL TO MONA… HE WANTED ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR CALLING HER… WHAT AN EGO….THEY DID NOT HELP ME MOVE MY BIKE AND THEY DIDN’T NOT OFFER ME A PARTS LIST NOR A LIST OF THEIR PARTS DISTRIBUTORS SO I COULD COMPLETE MY BIKE…THESE PEOPLE NOT ONLY TOOK MY MONEY AS IF THEY WERE SOMEHOW ENTITLED TO IT, BUT THEY TOOK AWAY MY DREAM OF EVER RIDING AROUND THE COUNTRY ON MY NEW CHOPPER.. YOU SEE FOLKS, I AM 70 YEARS OLD AND AFTER THIS LOUSY EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER RIDE, MY RIDING DAYS ALL OVER… ALL I CAN HOPE FOR IS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO GET INTO BUSINESS AGAIN….WONDER WHERE ALL THAT CASH IS THAT THEY TOOK FROM UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE… SHRIMP IN THE BARBIE ANYONE!!!
@Boss Hawg…comedy…
Just let me know if anybody has any messages for them…I’ll let ‘em know next time my buddy at Chino State Pen sees ‘em!
The Alsop’s pulling a fast one? Rumor is that they moved equipment to a place in Redlands by Sam’s Club to open a shop under another name using a relative’s name as owner!
If they took deposits, didn’t build, they may do a lot of time. Moving equipment somewhere else will make things much worse for them.
Ever since my interactions with them back in 2006 I have pretty much known from then on what a bunch of egotistical crooks they were and I said so! Then in 2007 after the neck welds failed on my bike while riding at 65 mph and surviving and them trying to say it was my fault that their lousy frame prep and welding broke and being threatened by their “family” attorney it was obvious that they were lower than whale shit! If I hadn’t gotten the NHTSA involved (which was a last ditch effort to get them to admit the problem and inspect other bikes) they would have done nothing whatsoever to ensure the safety of their customers. I got bloody hell from just about everyone saying I was a looser and the Kevin and Mona were great people, tell me now how does that crow taste!
I can only hope that the FBI and every other LEA that can get involved gets involved and brings these two POS @ssholes to justice!
LL
Jerry, that sucks big time. I’m a builder and if you need help figuring out what’s what on your bike or need help finishing the project give us a call. Don’t give up on riding your bike just because of this, riding your bike is too precious for that. Finish the project and ride it, that’s the best revenge to me.
There is no more small production manufacturers in this country. Big Dog is gone, Sucker Punch Sallys barely has its door open (just a question of time), AIH is dead, Big Bear just went under and that’s pretty much it.
All the others (Brass Ball, etc…) are still alive but we’re not talking the same volume of production.
The business model of small series cookie-cutter bike manufacturers is completely dead now. End of a product cycle. Not much we can do about it. Big Bear Choppers just can’t re-invent the wheel and rebound from this. They just need to either become a franchise dealer with Victory or whoever, and keep a small portion of the shop to finish selling their ugly bikes or start sending resumes around for a new job.
End of story, no matter if people like them or not on this blog. You’ve gotta to know when to quit.
LL…couldn’t say it any better myself other are PITA POS.
Boss Hawg
Does anyone have a working phone # for Big Bear and the owners personal phone #’s?
We are a canadian dealer for them and we have been trying to call for weeks to get answers on warranty work .NOthing. When we would call even when they were in buisness it was a struggle. We have 6 of their bikes left and i would guess with this news spreading they are going to be even harder to sell them .If anyone is looking for a big bear bike we have them selling at below our cost,no warranty for obvious reasons .I will be listing them on ebay ,they are all 2008 . $250,000 investment never really got us anything other than a few bucks over cost and now we have a few that have been on our floor for quite some time .So overall not the greatest experience at all .
with them you never know, vin numbers did get changed on bikes
Kevin and Mona Alsop are crooks. trust me. i’m so sorry for all the people that trusted the Alsops. they will pay for their decisions. the FBI is on the case.
And this is why I build my own bikes,no bullshit like this.
@ Magnum
Yes it would seem there are other production custom bikes of US origin now ADR approved. I looked at a few options with kit bikes and production customs, including the BBC kits but I thought they were overpriced for what they were. Sad to hear that the guy that got the BBC bikes ADR approved had such a bad ending, very sad indeed.
@ Truth
Please expand on your post your Brother.
Boss Hawg
We need numbers to FBI and state aturny on case need others to file class action thanks all!!!!!
1550TC,
LOL!!!! the view is swell but currently my view is from my room at my friends house stuck doing homework for the final two weeks of school!!! no bikes, cars, smack talking this weekend from me!!!! Ill write a book in a few years of the American Chopper saga of snide comments and remarks made towards eachother though…. I think I can fill a few hundred pages of phsycological data!
As for the others, I called JC at 3-2 Choppers on Tuesday and spoke with him for over an hour. After our first time talking outside of the blogs, he is a pretty cool guy. So, all beef between us on the blog is now gone, id say.
JC, good talking to you.
Conrad I hope your degree isn’t in spelling.
@ Say What….Oh hell no…only degree that boy knows is temps. LMAO
Boss Hawg
I’m note a huge fan of Big Bear Choppers, though they do have some nice bikes. Its sad to seem them close down, I think the only way Chopper shops are going to survive for now is to offer both choppers and motorcycle repair.
I hope that Salinas Boys and Hank Young stay open as well as Indian Larry’s old shop.
Hey Conrad…quit posting from your Blackberry and use some punctuation…damn lazy kids today.
Is it true that Big Bear Choppers and Kevin & Mona Alsop are filing Bankruptcy as rumored?
If it is true or if they have indeed closed their doors, those that have placed deposits that have not been refunded need to contact the appropriate local Law Enforcement Agencies and FBI, get a police report, file a warrant for a court hearing/case and get a secured judgement against all parties with a FIFA so as you can collect personal properties, too.
Boss Hawg
Conrad i think that most guys when they finally meet you, soon find out, your not some spoiled 20 something and that you and your dad have a great relationship that most parent dream of having with their kids!
It’s KARMA, plain and simple. And its about time it happened
oh, and for the few who support these people and think that they are going to come back because they built such a great product, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I have stories and first hand knowledge of the crap they pulled. They would be exposed as liars, thieves, and cheats that they truly are. The motorcycle world is better off without these scabs involved in it
@ BBC Insider…
Please please please tell us more.
Boss Hawg
I also have first hand knowledge of what has recently occured at BBC. Shoot question my way and Ill answer them .
If you have first hand knowledge please go to the proper people and tell them what you know or tell us so we can thanks ! One person on case Is det. Marredith in big bear sharif.9093878309 thanks to all that are showing support.
Hear YE Hear YE Hear YE
Chapter 7…Gone Fishin
Boss Hawg
This is for contact….. My gift to you and anyone else who was ripped off by these crooks….
Kevin 909 866 0100
Mona 951 295 9711
I think these are right…. second hand info…. talk fast they will block your number….
JA
This is for contact….. My gift to you and anyone else who was ripped off by these crooks….
Kevin 909 866 0100
Mona 951 295 9711
I think these are right…. second hand info…. talk fast, they will block your number….
JA
See what ya find under these names
Mona Inez Delgado
Eureka Choppers LLC
Fox Farm Choppers LLC
Boss Hawg
Bbc insider tell us what you know maybe it would be more help than you think we need to hang them
“V-Twin Insider
Nov 30th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Anyone who has ever dealt with Kevin knows he is an egotistical *%#hole! I’ve had many dealings with both he and Mona and if it wasn’t their way it was no way. The quote from the article is typical Mona “When I’m ready to comment I’ll call you” and the fact that the paper predicts it every year is mostly likely because they were over extended most of the time. I think lying to everyone was in their blood!”
I find your comment extremely offensive, as I have the same BLOOD as Kevin in my veins, the insinuation that “LYING is in his blood” is absurd and insulting to our family heritage, not to mention extremely disrespectful. Our father was a Vietnam Veteran who died from being exposed to chemicals during the war! so shame on you for insinuating that! Whether or not there has been dodginess done, I don’t know, but I do know that Kevin poured his heart and soul into that business and made many sacrifices for it.
^^^ Are you serious? Nobody’s picking on your Dad or your family…the term means somebody’s rotten to the core.
Kevin’s obviously not good for his word, he’s a liar and a sham, as is his wife…peas in a pod. Nobody cares what he did for the business when he’s bilked others out of money and been such a prick in the industry.
Let him jump on and defend himself…funny how Mona hasn’t opened her trap either eh?
Maybe when they come out of hiding and running from their troubles, you can tell them how you stood up for them and remind them what “great” people they are….evidently from your comments, stupidity runs in his blood too.
You are kevs sister well you ask wtf he is going to do to fix this 35k problem he has created for himself and I and all the others.as a sister you should have no pride in a ass—e your dad must be rolling in his grave at the way his son has treated the biking community.and us war vets.your brother is a lowing cheat that will answer to all that are involved!!!!!!
Kevs Sista,
Let’s see aren’t you all Aussies? Or just Kevin?
Boss Hawg
He can’t hide from all .Im looking forward to he’ll if anything I will see your whole family there
Here are some more names and #s of people in bbc that new what they were doing with Kevin clear up to the day they closed there doors. Mike Forbes #909 567 3075 Mike the Greek #909 239 8939
They took deposits clear up to the day they closed that tells us they were a large part of this they can’t go unnoticed.thanks for all support from those that mean it
“Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language. Respect others.” What a bunch of rednecks. I would rather be an Aussie than a stupid fat American. Kevin has obviously done wrong by some of you, but do you think he did it on purpose. He has lost his house, his business and reputation. He has kids. He was trying to live the American dream. Trouble is a lot of you all in the good old USA are greedy. That’s why the world is in such a mess. Take a good hard look at yourselves.
Rather Be An Aussie.
No pun intended nor any harm towards other Australians at all…nothing more than a mere statement of fact as one would say you are American. However, with that said, no one told you to read this if it is offensive to you…NOW STFU.
Yes it is known that they did what they have done on purpose, how the hell else would you do it. Kevin & Mona as officers knowingly took deposits as stated herein, designs, etc…from the get go over a long period of time and are just what is said here.
When found guilty they will then be worthy of their convictions and I for one hope they loose everything including their families and go straight to prison for a very long and extended period of time, then forced to pay restitution, then deported afterward!
Boss Hawg.
F—you Azzie go home to your country we don’t need yOu here go home and be the shit of society.we all no you are all the same just like your for fathers,crooks,swindlers,and thevies.isn’t that the reason your country was a prison at one time?
By JUDI BOWERS Reporter | 0 comments
Big Bear Choppers in Big Bear Lake still hasn’t re-opened. And the owners still aren’t talking. But the customers who have been allegedly bilked out of their life savings are.
The Grizzly has received numerous emails and phone calls from customers who paid thousands of dollars to the custom motorcycle manufacturer for bikes that haven’t been delivered. Samuel Parker from Central California says losing the money he paid for the bike “pretty much ruined my life.”
The customers who are waiting for bikes, or even just acknowledgement from Big Bear Choppers owners Kevin and Mona Alsop that their business has gone belly up and no bikes are coming, are from around the country to around the world. Pavel Meshcheryakov from Russia ordered two bike kits in June 2011, making full payment for $56,000. In November, Michael Forbes stopped responding to Meshcheryakov’s emails and letters. Forbes is the director of sales for Big Bear Choppers. Meshcheryakov says when he tried contacting Forbes by phone, there was no answer.
Lyle Haynes, economic development director for the city of Big Bear Lake, says the city is reviewing its options regarding a small business loan the city approved for Big Bear Choppers last spring. Haynes says the city will be behind First Mountain Bank in collecting any money from the motorcycle company, as the Alsops owe the bank even more than the $100,000 the city loaned the company.
The city loan was in conjunction with another loan of $147,000 from First Mountain Bank, Haynes says. The city attorney is reviewing all options available to the city to recoup funds, although Big Bear Choppers hasn’t officially filed bankruptcy, Haynes says. At least the city hasn’t been notified. Haynes says he has had conversations with Kevin, who indicated Big Bear Choppers is going out of business.
Approval of the loan was based in part on the numerous orders Big Bear Choppers had for bikes and kits, Haynes says. It was hoped that with the loan from the city and First Mountain Bank, the local firm would be able to hire more staff and get back on solid ground again. Haynes says he isn’t sure what happened that caused the Alsops to default.
It’s unfortunate Big Bear Choppers, which was the first local firm to obtain the loan from the city once the program was in place, defaulted, Haynes says. “My guess is that they ruined it for others,” Haynes says, meaning the program will probably be discontinued.
Parker, who paid $35,000 for a bike in April, says he was sent photos of a bike that wasn’t his as reassurance he would be getting his motorcycle. He asked for parts, which were never delivered.
The Bear Bones bike was a gift, a dream, Parker says. He fights back tears saying that he will never have an opportunity to dream the same dream again. He ordered the bike online then sent them a cashier’s check, Parker says. His dream is gone, he says.
The stories are the same around the country. People who ordered bikes, paid in full or deposits only to be strung along. Big Bear Choppers closed in early November. A note on the door said the company would re-open Nov. 28 after Thanksgiving. That didn’t happen.
Mona Alsop declined to comment whether the business was closed for good, only telling The Grizzly that when she was ready to comment, she would call us.
Mona and Kevin appeared on “The Mentor” on the Bloomberg channel in early November telling of their financial struggles hoping for help from a successful businessman. It’s unknown how the show ended.
@Boss Hawg
Yes we are all Aussies, many generations, and NO Spike, not convicts.
Bull—t look at your brother.hide hide hide little man.
Did it ever occur to any of you vacuous rednecks? that maybe just maybe, he’s pretty devistated about everything that’s happened? and is taking time to come to terms with it? In all your hysterical “slander-fest” did you ever grasp the possibility, that there is always more to a situation than you could know? If you have had a problem, fair enough to be unhappy about it, suck it up and deal with it through the proper avenues not slandering my bloodline or family name in your bitchiness on a public forum.
feeling bad for himself and not the people he was taking money from
well Sis sounds like you think insest is best.
Sounds to us that your right your whole family is s–t .we hope you and your family.take your kids and raise them some were else.we don’t need more of your kind sh–t in the USA.
@ kevs sista
Whaddaythink of this ? Sound familiar ?
“LOS ANGELES — Scheduling issues have delayed the sentencing of Jodie Foster’s estranged father, who faces more than 25 years behind bars after being convicted of bilking more than $100,000 from the poor and elderly in a home-building scheme. City attorney’s spokesman Frank Mateljan (mah-TEHL’-jin) says Lucius Foster will return to court Friday morning. The 89-year-old was convicted of 21 misdemeanor counts of grand theft Wednesday after a jury determined he had bilked 21 people out of money. He was expected to be sentenced Thursday but could not be returned from jail to court in time. Lucius Foster was convicted of taking $5,000 each from people for whom he promised to build affordable homes made from cargo containers. The units were never built, and prosecutors alleged he blatantly lied to clients”
Wow Wow Wow….
What coincidence….Los Angeles County too!
Maybe all officers and employees with direct and indirect knowledge of quite apparent wrongdoings and misappropriated funds as stated herein will all face similar charges, however, it does sound RICO may come into play if any history of deposits were taken over a greater than 12 consecutive months and the orders knowing not fulfilled.
Geez what about the bank’s money ?
Oh and any interstate commerce in the form of mail fraud, wire fraud, etc ?
And failure to fix all recalls ?
All I can is what goes around comes around and it sure as hell seems as though it just may complete the circle here.
Got some go ol Southern Red Neck Billy Beer here for uins if ya like.
Boss Hawg
You are a sick freak Spike and as for Stain, well, I clearly see what kind of stain you are. I wouldn’t live in that economic shambles if my life depended on it. Any country that democratically elected George W. Bush and has other leaders so useless they can’t get any resolution on their foreign debt, is clearly overrun with brainless confederate gun toting rednecks. Accept it, if it wasn’t for greedy fat corporate America, there would have been no Global Financial crisis, and you twits would have nothing to bitch about.
Kevs Sista
Quite the contrary! Quite obviously you are an ignorant liberal that has no idea how World’s Number One Super Power’s business model is designed, operated and managed, much less your alleged brother’s apparent schemes, failures and chagrin cavalier attitude. Seems the whole alleged family may just be a bunch of penal colony survivors!
Now go play with yourself in another sandbox until you can come to us with factual content and as to your alleged brother’s true intent please since you are so much in dark denial.
Down har in GA, we stil hav dat dat dat Billy Beer a waitin on all’yuns
Boss Hawg
well Sis sounds like you have problems not only in your head but also sounds to us you have Bigger problems with our society.well we no now you are out to hurt the US and the people your brother stole from.you must think he has the right to screw us all.
Let’s see…only person slandering the bloodline would be…wait..that’s no slander. Only person decimating your bloodline is that loser of a brother.
Before you bitch about America’s corporate greed…consider what your brother’s done. He now has VICTIMS of his and Mona’s greed.
I’d choose my battles wisely …your brother’s in a world of xxxx and unless Mona finally opens her mouth to start munching, they’re both going down.
I hear they are opening up a buisness in San Bernardino off tippecanoe(if thats how you spell it). Already employed a couple of guys that worked for BBC a month ago. Not quite sure how they are going to open up a new buisness building choppers while they are in the process of filing bk on their previous.
thanks insider sounds like they have a opening for you to thanks for nothing .how about a adress or phone#.you haven’t given us nothing so far and thanks for nothing.you no more then you Leed on.be a man and stand up to those that have done us all wrong
thanks insider sounds like they have a opening for you to thanks for nothing .how about a adress or phone#.you haven’t given us nothing so far and thanks for nothing.you no more then you Leed on.be a man and stand up to those that have done us all wrong
@ MR SPIKE. What do you want to know? That kevin and Mona did in fact take deposits up until the week they went out of buisness. They moved all the inventory and machines to a location in san bernardino which I do not have a address for. I already posted kevin and monas personnel phone numbers. They are in fact filing for BK. They were in fact a 100 bikes behind at the time they went under. I will say this though kevin tried every avenue to keep the buisness a float. He fucked up royally towards the end accepting deposits despite advise given to him by all his former employees though. I completely understand your frustration, but when all Im trying to do is shed some light on the issues that have transpired please dont come at me as if Im Kevin. Did I work there at one point….yes! did I voluntaraly leave because of the issues that have become public recently….yes! I wasnt going to be part of what was happening at BBC and moved on.
I have been saying that this or something very close to this was going to happen for over two years now. Anyone that would do what Kevin did in regard to knowingly trying to cover up the frame issues (which literally put THOUSANDS of innocent peoples lives at risk) and then trying to blame totally innocent owners for his f#&k ups was bound to pull something like this. What the hell do you expect from a man with no honor whatsoever! He’s a POS crook and always has been and was and is only interested in saving his own ass at the expense of everyone else’s around him and Mona is just like him!
I hope like you can’t even imagine to see both of them put behind bars for a very, very long time! Here’s truly hopping that Kevin learns a whole new meaning for the term “anal-retentive” in prison!
To Kevs Sis, go f#&k yourself! Your brother did deliberately and with malice of forethought try to hide the frame problems from the public eye and then tried to intimidate me and everyone else that attempted to expose him and the truth! Your brother is a POS and that’s a fact and if you stand by him in his deception then your nothing but a POS too!
LL
Go look at their Facebook page….Seems they have a goodwill ambassador in Big Bear Lake named Jeff Barrett?
Boss Hawg
Hey Boss,
Just took a look and the last post on BBC’s wall was by them dated Nov.10th. Did someone delete those posts or did Jeff Barrett himself delete them??
Interesting that BBC itself has not posted on it’s FB page for a month now isn’t it
LL
sis is now calling people that thay screwed and is throwing around saying she is a rep for BBC here is the number she is using 909 547-0872 isn’t this fun now the whole family is getting involved it is like a big zitt .FBI ,sherif,DAs office,state attorney office,and more are involved.A hole lot more than our little attorneys have to deal with.
LL…yes someone took all 42 posts down. Jeff Barrette whom, who KNOWS?
Seems like the hound the dawgs have sniffed these 2 out and treed em like a coon. Now the good ol boys just need to shake em down and put em in the pen where they belong.
Boss Hawg
BWAHAHAHAHA
you idiots are such haters, and stupid. You obviously have no idea about anything and it’s completely laughable. @outsider1 are you accusing me of ringing people from that number you posted?
if you are, ur the biggest dumbass on the planet.
It would appear to me that Boss Hawgs business is really slow, and he is hoping to benefit from someones loss. Hummmmm Isn’t that what everyone one is complaining about here?
Did YOU lose money Boss Hawg? Well then, you dont have a dog in this fight.
To the customers who sent 38,000 up front, AFTER hearing the news of BBC’s struggle. DUHHHH!!!
And to the people who are wondering when the money may be returned, I am sure any assets, if there are any, are frozen until this is resolved.
Also, if a dealer orders 5, 10, 20 bikes per contract, and those bikes built and paid for by BBC. Then these bikes are sent back to factory, isn’t that also similar?
In this economy any one of us could be next on the chopping block. Maybe think about that for a minute.
Evil breeds evil.
Olfart says, and I agree
What a bunch of vultures, circling for your piece of the kill like bloody carnivores. How many of you good people praised their work, applauded their success and were impressed by their product.
Now, with limited information and one sided beat up stories, you slaughter these two people who are probably totally devastated by this regrettable and sad turn of events.
Everybody loses when a company goes under, there are no winners. Life is a risk, business is an even bigger risk and with hindsight I bet you will see these two people aren’t the arseholes you all make them out to be.
Its awesome to see you people who are so quick to get on the success bandwagon can so quickly turn into back stabbing, slandering, monsters with an eat-your-own children enthusiasm, all from the safety and comfort of your computer screens.
Back in the day when one of my brothers was in trouble, we all banded together and helped him out. What you are doing is exactly the opposite of that. What an uninspiring pack of people you are. This list of bleating broken hearted naysayers just proves that apathy, despondency and failure is alive and well in your once great nation. Lift yourselves above the grovelling and do some good you fuckers.
Ariel wrote “How many of you good people praised their work, applauded their success and were impressed by their product” I don’t know any in the industry
Then you must have just fell off the truck, or crawled out from under your rock, because BBC made the best damn customs around. You are just another idiot.
You must not be aware of the complaints and lawsuits et you didn’t read all the comments of unsatisfied clients. By the way, no more warranty on BBC bikes, and your bike just lost 50% of its value. Is it why you are so upset? Regarding BBC, they can comment here if they want.
and your point is what?
The stock market is fucked up too, and my house lost 50% of its value. So what?
I don’t ride my bike because of its market value, and I don’t live in my house for that reason either.
If the warranty runs out on anything I own, I fix it, or bring it to a mechanic. I don’t run around crying about it.
Instead of whining about the situation, try doing something productive for a change.
Wow what a bunch of drama and silly posts here…. Im surprised Big Bear lasted as long as they did. Those fat-tire cookie-cutter choppers are old.
Ask anyone who sells “one off products” how difficult it can be. I can understand the boss bein difficult look at Steve Jobs the same was said of him and he built a great product. Adapt or die in a slow economy is a hard lesson for small businesses. In 20 years maybe he’ll be vindicated with his bikes as collector items worth a lot of money.
M.
Jan 5th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
More problems ahead, I had a catastrophic steering failure when my 2009 Sled refused to turn right and then would not turn back right without a lot of hand pressure. Then it would lock up again. Apparently some inner part of their lower triple tree has failed as I was told by a certified dealer.
No worries. they are out of business!!!!!!
We were opening a dealership here in CHILE. They took our money gladly back in September, and did not mention any problems.We ordered some motorcylces and payed them in advance. Back in December they stopped replying our e mails and we never heard from our order. So I think they have stolen from us, and abused our trust and confidence we had put on them. That is not fair.