June 2026  •  By The Dudes at LiveTheGnar

Born-Free Motorcycle Show — Oak Canyon Park, Silverado, California. Photo: Born-Free Show

Born-Free started in 2009 when Mike Davis and Grant Peterson wanted to throw a gathering of vintage choppers in Orange County, California. Simple idea. Backyard energy. Back when there was no show for bikes like theirs.

Seventeen years later it draws 25,000 enthusiasts, over 200 vendors and sponsors, live music, the Ives Brothers Wall of Death, a regional AMCA swapmeet, giveaway Harleys, and the centerpiece — the Invited Builder Show, where 32 of the most respected custom motorcycle builders in the world debut bikes they’ve spent the entire year building specifically for this event.

It’s open to all makes and models, voluntary registration, and completely laid back. The show is the people who ride in. That’s always been the whole point.

Born-Free 2026 — Custom builds, real riders, zero pretension.

The Invited Builder Show — 32 builders from around the world debuting bikes built specifically for Born-Free. Not cable TV stars. Craftsmen, small shop owners, and garage builders pushing themselves to build something unique and finely finished. This is the centerpiece of the whole weekend.

Giveaway Bikes — Born-Free has given away over 40 motorcycles in the show’s history. This year they’re giving away multiple Harley-Davidsons to lucky attendees. Poster and ticket combo available online. Must be present to win.

Live Music — Full bands all weekend. The kind of music that sounds right when there’s a chopper in front of you.

Wall of Death — Ives Brothers Wall of Death. Enough said.

AMCA Regional Swapmeet — Antique Motorcycle Club of America regional swap meet running alongside the show. Vintage parts, old iron, the whole thing.

Best In Show — Winner gets a trip for themselves and their motorcycle to the Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show in Yokohama, Japan. That’s a real prize.

The show is the people who ride in. That’s always been the whole point.