“I always design my bikes like women, with a waistline. And then the fat tire in the back becomes the big butt” Eddie Trotta says. That you see or not the woman part(s) in each of his bikes, you must admit that his motorcycle designs are very distinctive and recognizable.
You don’t come to Eddie Trotta to have a bike custom built unless you want an Eddie Trotta bike. Isn’t it the way it should be with all custom builders? If you love custom motorcycles, wherever it has been, during the Camel Roadhouse exhibition tour, watching the Discovery Bike Build Off TV series (that he won 2 times) to visiting his Thunder Cycle Design display during the numerous rallies around the country, it’s impossible that you didn’t stop at least one timeto look at his customs and meet with the man himself. But beyond his creations, who is Eddie Trotta? A few questions and answers to help you find out a little bit more about his personality.
Cyril. In High School, what your teachers said about you? Eddie. They told me that I would never get anywhere in life drawing pictures of motorcycles all day,
Cyril. Who were your childhood heroes? Eddie. The local motorcycle club, the Slumlords. I would watch them go through the center of town, 10 or 12 at a time on their choppers. I couldn’t wait to turn 16 and get a bike.
Cyril. What was your 1st vehicle?Eddie. A British green MG. Really couldn’t care what kind of car it was just as long as the top went down.
Cyril. If you were not working in the motorcycle industry, what would you do? Eddie. I would be at the race track. I love horses. I owned race horses for 20 years between 77 and 96.
Cyril. What is your favorite way to relax? Eddie. I relax by going out on my boat or sitting in my backyard and watching the boats go by.
Cyril. What is the last music you downloaded in your iPod? Eddie. Carlos Santana’s version of Whole Lotta love. Amazing guitar.
Cyril. What are you afraid of? Eddie. I am afraid of heights.
Cyril. What is the person you would love to meet? Eddie. Eva Mendes
Cyril. Which film made you cry? Eddie. Bikers don’t cry!
Cyril. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Eddie. I have no tattoos or piercings.I promised my motherI would never get one. My older brother came home with a chopper on his arm with a skeleton riding it, with FTW over the top. She went nuts, and she passed away from cancer not long after. So i kept the promise I made to her. It all happened in 1970.
Cyril. Name five things you hate. Eddie. Waking up.Working. Waking up. Working. Oh , and a dirty shop.
Cyril. What is your best life achievement? Eddie. My best life achievement was winning the Bacardi Offshore Boat Race. My dad was there that day and it was on TV. Tons of people at Turnberry Isle. I was 29 and it was a big thing for me. And the very next day I won a Grade 1 horse race at Santa Anita race track in CA.A very good weekend…
Cyril. What do you miss most at home when you are on the road? Eddie. I miss the peace and quiet at home, and all my toys in the garage
Cyril. Where is your favorite vacation place? Eddie. My favorite vacation place is, New York City. I wish I could live there. ButI also like Sturgis. Weird, right ?
Cyril. Do you have any guilty pleasures? Eddie. I aint telling you that!
Cyril. Do you collect anything? Eddie. Once I own something I hate to sell it. sh*t, I still own a 1994 Dually ,
Cyril. What was your worst buy? Eddie. My worst buy was my latest Ferrari. I know “what a dick, he has a Ferrari?” Well, I got my ass handed to me. It used to be that having a Ferrari was like having money in the bank because they always sold for more than you paid. Well, I paid full price and then some, and 2 weeks later the prices just went crazy. I mean down. Needless to sayI will never sell it soI can sayI didn’t lose that much money. Smart, right ? Yeah, I know…
Cyril. What was the most embarrassing thing you have ever made? Eddie. I really can’t remember. Most of the things I did, I am pretty proud of.
Cyril. What is the best thing you can cook? Eddie. The best thing I can cook is pop tarts. I make some mean pop tarts.
Cyril. When was the time you were really angry? Eddie. The time they forgot to tie my boat trailer to the back of my truck and it went sailing down Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale and hit a pole. Pretty angry!
Cyril. What is your preferred rally? Eddie. Sturgis.
Cyril. What is the worst question a journalist asked you? Eddie. Keep asking because you didn’t ask it yet.
