Laugh Now
Due to his long-standing friendship with Gary Queen of Other Side Customs (OSC), Lobo was constantly in Rick Fairless' Strokers Dallas shop helping out during events and hanging out. Gary does a lot of Rick's paintwork, from customer bikes to Rick's over-the-top customs. Lobo knew of Rick's chopper building fame but they weren't what he was looking for in his new ride. Lobo wanted something that reflected his interests and brought out his personality.
Since choppers weren't Lobo's preference and he'd rather not ride than ride a Japanese cruiser, he purchased a '04 Road King. For a while he rode it around all blacked out with 16-inch apes, a solo seat, and whitewall tires. But something was missing. He wound up meeting his one true love on that bike, Raquel, so it had to be special.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, all of Lobo's personality came from that culture and lifestyle. He sees himself as a lowrider, but his bike wasn't. He realized what he needed to do and that was to build a Vicla style motorcycle. The Vicla is different than normally customized bikes; it's a style that comes from the barrio just as pachucos and lowriders did in days gone by. It has a Chicano style. Lobo needed a Vicla.
Gary wanted something flashier for Lobo to be riding around on, as Lobo was a rolling business card for OSC. In the '90s Gary had painted a famous lowrider that appeared in Lowrider Magazine called "Natural Born Killer." Lobo wanted that style of paintjob for his King. After numerous coats of silvers, candies, patterns, airbrushing, and clear coat Gary's paintjob blew Lobo away. Lobo remembered thinking, "I knew Gary was great, but damn!" That's the response Lobo gets everywhere he goes. Every image on the bike portrays something from Lobo's past, present, or future-which he says can be either a good or bad thing because you may not like him.
At the heart of the bike sits a breathed on 95-inch Twinkie motor and an S&S carb. Tons of chrome was added to the bike, including the frontend. A set of stretched bags was used and Gary's bodyman, Skip Harmon lengthened the rear fender five inches; fender covers just wouldn't cut it for Lobo. After all a lowrider has to be low and chromed.Rick had his guys at Strokers install a new set of 16-inch apes, chromed controls, mirrors, and braided lines. To get the bike laid out when stopped or creeping low and slow down the street Legend Air shocks were installed. Lobo's girlfriend Raquel befriended Sam from Ride Wright wheels and a deal was struck for a new set of 50 spoke radially laced wheels.
All that was left was a name for the rebuilt bike. After a little translation from English to Chicano Lobo is proud to introduce Firme. We agree, solid indeed!