Craig Smith Creates “Easy Rider” Wood Carving

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

The medium doesn’t matter for artist Craig Smith. He shapes metal, carves wood and even sculpts pumpkins. His largest creation, the 22-foot-long and 10-foot-high “Metal Monster,” is on display at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT. Less massive but becoming well known among riders is a pinewood carving of actors Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda riding motorcycles in a scene from the 1969 motion picture “Easy Rider.”

RIDE-CT.com caught up with Smith at Doc’s Motorcycle Parts in Waterbury where he was showing off the 48-inch by 30-inch carving that began as four separate pieces of five quarter pine. They’re connected with 12 dowels and secured by a welded frame.

The idea for the “Easy Rider” woodcarving dates back to 2002. He had been working on a carving of the British frigate HMS Rose at Captain’s Cove Seaport in Black Rock when some riders suggested that he do something with a motorcycle theme. “The bikers kept coming back and coming back. They started bringing me information and pictures of bikes,” he said.

The next year he went Sturgis, S.D. and spent 3½ months working on it, putting up a display at the annual motorcycle rally so bikers from across the country could see it. He even has the vendor permit, laminated in plastic, to prove it.

On the back of “Easy Rider” are signatures from some of folks who have seen it over the years – including then-state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal – and places it has been displayed. Asked how many hours he has into it, Smith replied, “I’ve got 10 years.”

A native of Fairfield and resident of Shelton, Smith discovered he had artistic talent as a youth when he carved the Parthenon out of soap. He was a third grader at Stratfield Elementary School. He later refined his skills in Boy Scouts, and his talent blossomed while at Andrew Warde High School. When a shop teacher gave students an identical assignment, most of the others in the class created ash trays, he turned out a masterpiece. The teacher told him, “You’re not required to do any more required projects.”

Over the years, he has worked in many media. In 1980, he went to Lake Placid, N.Y. for the Winter Olympics and crafted a metal sculpture showing the events of the games, and got some side work modifying luges for their riders. He later created commemorative medallions for the 25^th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

Smith’s carved pumpkins have been used for set display purposes on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown.” He usually spends the weeks leading up to Halloween are busily making ornate jack-o-lanterns.

What provides him with the most enjoyment is getting out in public, showing off his work and chatting with those who stop to gaze on his artwork. “I could do it every day. I’m blessed with this creativity. It’s really something,” he said.

What he won’t do is ride a motorcycle. A 1971 accident on “Dead Man’s Curve” in Fairfield while riding a Harley-Davidson Sportster cured him of motorcycling. “I went off the road, up an embankment, through the brush,” he said. The bike then hit and slid along a stone wall before coming to a stop. Smith wasn’t hurt and the bike wasn’t badly damaged but the experience ended his riding career.

“I love motorcycles. I love listening to them. I love the conversation. But I respect my life. It’s only takes a split second,” he said.

Instead, he gets his two-wheeled through his “Easy Rider” carving. “This is the spirit of all the bikers,” he said.

“Easy Rider” will be on display at Doc’s through the end of April and Smith will be in the store on Saturdays (and some Sundays) as long as it’s there.

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FEWER SUZUKI DEALERS?

“Dealernews.com” is reporting in a story today that Suzuki is culling its U.S. dealer network and will be leaner after its Chapter 11 reorganization is finalized later this month. The publication reports that motorcycle dealers began receiving letters this week saying they will no longer be authorized to sell Suzukis as of March 31.

Connecticut has eight Suzuki dealers and RIDE-CT.com is contacting them to determine their status. Suzuki has also been emailed for comment and additional info.

Jim Schiavo of Adams of Oakville responded by email, “I just read the same article and it is shocking. I really don’t know what is going on. I sure hope we are not (dropped).”

Dale Badura of Enfield Motor Sports responded, “All good here” and said that “only car dealers” are being dropped by Suzuki as a result of bankruptcy.

More to come…

Update: Powersports Business reports in a story that Suzuki currently has about 930 dealers and plans to reduce the number by “100-200” with the ultimate goal being to reduce its dealer network to 700.

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More to read:

– While no one is making an official connection between the repeal of a helmet law in Michigan and a dramatic spike in motorcycle deaths (at least not yet), fatalities did rise 18 percent in 2012 from 2011. Motorcycle fatalities totaled 129 in 2012, compared to 109 in 2011. MLive.com has the story here.

– A 90-year-old motorcycle shop tech in Sarasota, FL has finally decided to retire. Kenny Clark has worked at Hap’s Cycle Sales for 64 years. MySunCoast.com has that story here.