Retired Oregon Guard General Receives Hollywood Attention

The hard work and creativity of a retired Oregon Army National Guard officer has Hollywood calling for his artistic talents.

Brig. Gen. (ret.) Lynn Ashcroft with "Evil Bastard", a custom motorcycle purchased by CSI Vegas star Gary Dourdan. The bike won Best of Show at the 2005 Easy Rider Show

(SALEM) - Brig. Gen. (ret.) Lynn Ashcroft, of the Oregon State Defense Force designed and built a custom motorcycle that caught the eye of actor Gary Dourdan, of the hit television drama CSI: Las Vegas.

Ashcroft is the owner of Ashcroft Motorcycles, a custom bike shop in Salem, Oregon. His custom-designed motorcycles have drawn national attention — having been featured in magazines such as The Robb Report and Easy Rider.

As if this wasn't enough, his bikes have been shown on the Speed Channel, and his designs have been featured in a Mike Chase Studio book.

Ashcroft said Dourdan e-mailed him after seeing Ashcroft Motorcycles featured on television and in magazines. The actor offered Ashcroft $42,000 for the custom bike known as "Evil Bastard", which won Best of Show at the 2005 Easy Rider show.

Evil Bastard more than lives up to its name. Dressed in black, the bike looks like it is rocketing down the dragstrip when it is standing still. It's built around a low-rider frame, with touches like a spiked kick-stand. The pointed tail light looks like a weapon, it all contributes to the evil side of Evil Bastand.

The seat, designed by Heavy Metal Leather of Austin, Texas, has ‘Ashcroft' stitched in red leather, with the word bleeding into the carved black leather and stainless steel cloth showing through underneath. The bike's frame, sheet metal and machine work was done by Ashcroft himself, and the ‘shovel head motor' was custom built by Mike Steggman. The bike is a perfect manifestation of the Ashcroft motto, "Because Evil is Everywhere".

Ashcroft Motorcycles is full of many 1940s and 1950s hot-rod inspired motorcycle creations, ranging in value of $25,000 to $40,000. Although Ashcroft's bikes may look like rebellious renegades, they are completely street-legal and made to be ridden. They are designed to look very simple, but are built with a great attention to detail. Some of the bikes may have similar styles, but each one is unique in its own way. Ashcroft said he never builds two of his bikes the same way.

"My mind is always working, I've already got the next two or three bikes designed in my head," said Ashcroft. "My favorite bike is always the next one I'm going to build."

Ashcroft began customizing motorcycles after purchasing his first Harley Davidson in 1992 and modifying it to fit his own style. He began coming up with his own designs and taught himself how to weld, machine, and build them.

"I have a hard time leaving things alone and not changing them," said Ashcroft. "I look at a functioning item and think of different ways that I can improve or modify it to make it look unique."

Even though the company employs three people who assist Ashcroft with his projects, he enjoys doing all of the design, assembly, metal fabrication and machining himself. According to Ashcroft, this ensures his creativity is not limited by how other people may envision his ideas.

"I get a picture in my mind of what I want the bike to look like, and then I make sure everything follows that same design and theme," said Ashcroft.

Ashcroft has been building and showing custom motorcycles for 12 years, a business that started as a hobby in between juggling a legal profession as managing partner of Ashcroft & Wiles LLP with offices in Salem and Portland, a part-time assignment as a pro tem judge, and a military career.

"My military experience has influenced the way I approach all my projects," said Ashcroft. "Everything has a purpose and function, and I work in a very efficient method."

Ashcroft served seven years in the active duty Army, including stints with the 19th Special Forces Group in Utah, the 91st Division in California, and a JAG officer for ICORE at Fort Lewis, Wash.

He also served 25 years in the Oregon Army National Guard as an armor officer, infantry officer, and JAG officer. "Joining the military was the best thing I ever did," said Ashcroft. "It gave me the confidence that there is no dream or concept that I can't accomplish whether it's becoming an officer, a lawyer, a judge, or building motorcycles."

Retiring from the Guard did not end Ashcroft's service to the state and nation. In December 2004 he was promoted to brigadier general and became the commander of the Oregon State Defense Force — a title he held until May 2005. Ashcroft now assists the new commander, Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell.

"When it comes to finding time for everything, I just see it as a project and I get it done and go onto the next one," said Ashcroft. "It takes loving what you do."

To view pictures of Evil Bastard and other custom Ashcroft Motorcycles visit www.ashcroftmotorcycles.com.

Story and photo by Spc. April L. Dustin, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs