Indian Larry.
I had seen Indian Larry on television about a year or so ago on one of those Discovery Channel – type programs. I believe that the program involved Jesse James, another motorcycle guy who has hit it big with Monster Garage and similar programs. In this particular episode, Jesse James and Indian Larry were traveling on their custom choppers from point X to point Y for one reason or another. I recall that it was a long ride.
At one point, the camera cut to Indian Larry blasting down a straight stretch of road somewhere out west, and he was STANDING on the seat of the motorcycle, with his arms outstretched, and with his long hair blowing in the wind (i.e. no helmet). I remember thinking back then that “That is one crazy son-of-a-bitch.â€
One day sometime after that, I was shooting the breeze with a guy at work, and I happened to mention Indian Larry and the stunt I had seen him do on television. The guy I was speaking with said, “He’s dead, you know. He recently died doing that stunt you just described.†At that time, I was too taken with the seeming coincidence of my mentioning Indian Larry’s stunt and learning that he had died to think very much about the man – Indian Larry.
I have since watched a couple episodes of “The Great Biker Build-Off†on television, filmed before Indian Larry’s death. The idea behind this program is that two custom chopper builders start from scratch to design and build a custom bike, and then the two of them ride together to the scene of the judging.
In the episode I watched, Indian Larry was competing against (I think) Billy Lane. Billy Lane could not get his bike started, no matter how hard he tried. Indian Larry showed up and broke his ass trying to help Billy Lane, his competitor, get his bike going. Once they managed to do a few carburetor changes and get the bike started, Lane and Indian Larry set off for Sturgis for the contest.
At Sturgis, the producer of the program announced that the winner of the contest (based on votes of the spectators in attendance) was Indian Larry. Much to the producer’s chagrin, Indian Larry came to the stage and said that neither he nor Billy Lane deserved to win, and neither of them deserved to lose, and that the contest was a draw. Using his metalworking skills, he cut the trophy in pieces, giving Billy Lane a piece, keeping a piece, and tossing pieces out to the audience.
Covered with tattoos as he was, and being the kind of guy one doesn’t find in the typical corporate boardroom, he was, nevertheless, a class act. He was devoted to his unique form of art, and he lived large until his death on August 30th of this year while doing his trademark standing-on-the-seat stunt without a helmet. Larry Desmedt was 55 at the time of his death.
I wish I could have met the crazy son-of-a-bitch.
Wow… I had thought IL passed from cancer… don’t know where I got that idea!
I enjoy watching them build those bikes, don’t ask me why. Really liked American Chopper until the guys went Hollywood and started wearing sunglasses 24/7, buying sports cars and acting like stars.
🙂
Comment by pam — December 20, 2004 @ 9:19 pm
Live by the sword, Die by the sword. Just Damn!
Comment by Dax Montana — December 20, 2004 @ 9:20 pm
I saw that show and I remember saying that’s one good sumbitch. Then a friend of mine told me he had been killed in a motorcycle accident. It’s too bad he died, but it seems like he sure knew how to live.
Comment by Dash — December 20, 2004 @ 10:51 pm
He just seemed like a nice guy. Nuts, but nice. That Billy Lane story is just like the impression you got from him on those shows. A guy that was really comfortible with himself.
Comment by Mike — December 21, 2004 @ 10:51 am
Jim, I told you about Larry in Helen Ga, you were too fucking drunk to remember? I met all of those guys in Daytona several times and TV helped them out a lot. We had a Hell’s Angel in Savannah named Crazy Dave, he could ride his bike at high speeds, standing on the seat, Dave also died on his hog. Crazy fucking world, but I would rather die on my Harley tan any nursing home, any day. Enjoy life, as it will be your last day, Catfish.
Comment by Catfish — December 21, 2004 @ 2:14 pm
Sorry about that, Cat. Guilty as charged. Damned homemade “wine.” Next time, I will pace myself a bit better so I don’t miss quite so much.
Comment by Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — December 21, 2004 @ 3:55 pm
That’s okay Jim, you are a very nice guy. Those guys on TV are very nice in person, no show with them either. They work hard and party harder. I have been with all of them several times and all are a class act. See you soon brother, Cat.
Comment by Catfish — December 21, 2004 @ 11:30 pm
I was fortunate enough to run into larry quite a few times at shows and also at his shop, he was the kind of guy that would have given you the shirt off his back. The first time i met him I tried to buy him a beer not knowing he had given up drinking, oops, but he told me just drink one for him. He ws a small guy with a big heart and i’m gonna miss the hell out of him
Comment by Dave — January 11, 2005 @ 5:35 pm
in my eyes larry was and still is the best and will all ways bethe best
Comment by marshall protzman — January 19, 2005 @ 3:43 pm
My fiance’ and I were very sad to hear of his death. Such a great artist. Has left a great impression on us all.
John PA
Comment by John — January 19, 2005 @ 8:22 pm
Watched Indian Larry on t.v. had a lots of respect for him and have been sad ever since, I heard of his passing. Now he can really fly. That is the way, I see him in my mind with arms outstretched and sliding into those Pearly Gates. We need a poster like that. Wish, I could draw. Soar high Larry. Will think of him every time, I see a eagle with his arms outstretched to the sky. B.B.
Comment by BRENDA — January 20, 2005 @ 12:06 am
Saw Larry on TV over here in England-wish I could have met the guy. A great loss to the biking world
Comment by Steve Bond — January 25, 2005 @ 9:17 am
i am doing a project in speech class about Indian Larry. I know a little about him, but any info. would be appreciated. Can anybody spare some knowledge? Ride hard or go home….
Comment by gary — January 29, 2005 @ 3:22 pm
Larry was my one true hero he taught me to do what ever it was i wanted to do and dont give up on it because someone might think you are crazy.He lived his life on the edge and I really wish i could have known him better.He will always be the best bike builder of all time.when i found out he died it was like finding out one of my best friends had just died.one thing i am happy about is that he died doing the one thing that he really loved. LOVE YA FOREVER REST IN PEACE LARRY!!!
Comment by brittany stewart — January 30, 2005 @ 8:12 pm
I wish I could have met this legend, one thing for sure i gonna buy one of his bike in some years to come, Crazy man !!! You left us too soon. I was in shock when i knew the incident.
Rest in peace Larry, you’re fan from Canada, up north, Montreal. It’s crazy..
Comment by Gamble — February 6, 2005 @ 2:34 am
Indian Larry was one hell of a Bike Builder. The Best. I kept up with him on TV. I would have like to met him. The Biker world will miss him I know. To his family I am so sorry for your lost. I to have lost a son. I know it is hard on you now. It will no be a day go by that you will not think of him. But time will heal. My thoughts are with you.
J.C.Richardson III
Danville Va.
Comment by J.C.Richardson III — February 13, 2005 @ 7:53 pm
I am Aju John Varghese from India (in Asia). I saw Indian Larry on ‘Discovery Travel & Living’ on the ‘build-off’ series & was amazed at his spirit & the man. With a backward tattooed ‘vengeance belongs to me’ neck, the guy amazed me, a so-called practicing Christian, with his sincerity. I was amazed to see the large heartedness he showed at the build-off with Billy lane & was especially amazed when at Sturgis, he announced that neither he nor Billy Lane deserved to win, and neither of them deserved to lose, and that the contest was a draw& proceeded to cut the trophy in pieces, sharing it with everyone, the competitor as well as the audience. I am a B-school professor in India & I quoted this as the greatest display of ‘sportsman spirit’ that I ever saw on television to my students.
It was only this Monday, February 21, 2005 that I came to know about his death in the discovery program. It was a huge shock to me.
I checked out the net for details regarding his death, and felt compelled to post this note since I felt that it might be touching for you ppl @ U.S to know that this gr8 guy had an effect on many of us, even across the oceans. Just shows how sincerity speaks, through the barriers of time & space.
I just wanted to let the family, dear & near ones of this gr8 soul to know that he will be fondly remembered & that we share in your grief, but more importantly, in am sure that he is indeed in heaven, he will surely not miss the ‘Gr8 bike builder’ & the ‘Heavenly Gasoline Alley’ up there!
Finally a word of comfort: 1 Thessalonians 4:13- “…But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
So we shall meet his again. Regards & God Bless.
Aju John Varghese
http://aju.r8.org
Comment by Aju John Varghese — February 22, 2005 @ 1:33 pm
R.I.P
Comment by Corey Mason — March 11, 2005 @ 2:32 pm
I think Indian larry led a better exampled life more than the obvious. He inspired many people including myself. I was in jail several years ago with no hope until I gave my self to the lord. The scripture Matthew 10:32 which I read was If you can’t acknowledge me before others, I won’t acknowlege you at the gates of heaven before my father. (not the exact quote but damn close.) This and seeing Indian Larrys neck tattoo led me to put “PROPERTY OF JESUS CHRIST” on the front of my neck. Some would say the man had guts, I say the man knew God. As he had stated, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritial”. God bless all his children young and old, good and bad.
Comment by Layn Hamilton / Airbrush artist , cusom painter and tattoo artist in N. Idaho — March 23, 2005 @ 2:08 pm
Although I never met Crazy Larry, I will miss him. I never noticed him to point or yell at someone, yet his emotions and ideas came through crystal clear. His personality was filled with wisdom and personality that will be sorely missed by many of his friends, family, and fans. He proved people can change for the better and make a difference in the world.
Comment by Phil — April 3, 2005 @ 9:52 pm
I have read so much about Mr. Indian Larry, and the way he lived his life truely touches me in many different way, i feel i can kindof relate to him because we both share a passion for bikes, he has truely been an insperation to me and has impacted my life, and my passion for bikes
Comment by Benjamin — April 6, 2005 @ 12:02 am
The world will shall little remember what we say about larry, but it will never forget what larry gave to all of us.
Ride on brother
The wind will be in your hair
The sun on your back
And you will cruse on the hiway of clouds
forever…
God Speed Larry, God Speed
?
Comment by jaymz — April 6, 2005 @ 1:36 am
The print of Indian Larry’s official portrait is now available at http://www.indianlarryprint.com
Also included is a tribute to Indian Larry
Comment by Michael — April 13, 2005 @ 7:39 pm
I was watching an old episode of The Great Biker Build Off, well when it was over and of course Larry had won. The credits were rolling and I had closed my eyes for a split second and when they came to, there was a picture of him that was fading away and I couldn’t and then again didn’t want to put two and two together. After looking at that I began to freak out and wasn’t sure about it, well sure enough I turned the computer on and checked it out for myself. I was completely devastated and heart broken about what happened to the Great Indian Larry. There is now a new picture of him added along with the others. No one will ever come close to Larry Desmedt’s creations…
Comment by Lucas — May 13, 2005 @ 2:40 pm
Just watching Orange County Choppers on David Blain when I thought I heard Paul sr. mention “another biker…” shocked I checked on the net! Alas Indian Larry had died last year in Augest 2004, and I saw him only this year on TV what a inspiration… the man was all humility and humble… no ill feelings about serving jail term.. infact saying you cant do that (robing a bank?)… I am heart broken at tragic death
Comment by Roy Animesh — June 12, 2005 @ 2:26 pm
Indian Larry was one hell of a great guy! No matter what it seemed like he really knew how to live life. He lived each day of his life as though it was his last.I think if Larry could look back on his life now and had the chance to pick out the things he would have done differently, i dont think he would have changed a thing!
I’ll always miss ya Larry
Rest.In.Peace
Until we meet again someday farewell,
Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous — July 5, 2005 @ 3:55 pm
If you ride em, you wreck em.
Comment by Roy Otis — July 20, 2005 @ 6:49 pm
True Faith
I Have Fiends That Have Gone Before Me
They Await Me In The Wind.
Some Day In The Future
Again We Will Ride Together
Not knowing The Meaning Of Fear.
Ride Free In The Wind Bros.
One Day We Will Ride Together Again
Comment by COMPO — November 23, 2008 @ 6:35 pm