David Mann

David Mann (September 10, 1940(1940-09-10) - September 11, 2004) (aka "Motorcycle") was a California graphic artist whose paintings celebrated biker culture, and chopper and bobber motorcycles. "Mann’s paintings set ‘outlaw’ Harley chopper motorcycles against surreal backgrounds, and distorted skylines, colourful images that celebrated the chopper motorcycle and the freedom of the open road. Many of his images captured the ‘Easyrider' ethos – speed, the open road, long flowing hair – freedom. "Most of his works were for the motorcycle industry, especially for motorcycle magazines.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Mann began drawing and painting at an early age. His first passion was custom cars and his first job was as an automobile painter. After High School, he left Kansas City and settled in California where he became interested in motorcycles. He became immersed in biker culture and motorcycles supplanted cars in his artwork. In 1963, Mann brought some of his artwork to the Kansas City Custom Car Show. There a biker took an interest in his artwork and with Mann's permission, forwarded it to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, a pop artist who was then the publisher of one of the first custom motorcycle magazines, Choppers.