Motorcycles looked their best in our eyes until a man showed that they were pretty basic. That man was no other but the incredible metal sculptor, skilled machinist, and legendary motorcycle mechanic popularly called Indian Larry. Drawing inspirations from the 50s and 60s motorcycle clubs, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, and the great Von Dutch, Larry built the most iconic bikes ever seen in his time by adopting a style that seamlessly fused classic choppers with hotrod race bikes.
Indian Larry’s fan base was huge. His eccentric nature fused with a unique and colorful appeal drew many to the enigmatic man. He stayed true to his style, re-popularizing the stripped-down, tall handlebar, no front brake or fender, stock rake choppers that dominated the 60s. But at the peak of his craftmanship, Larry tragically lost his life. Larry can never be replaced, and though he is gone, his legacy of amazingly built choppers lives on. Let’s tell you more about this icon of chopper fabrication.
10 Influenced By Ed “Big Daddy” Roth
The oldest of three children, Larry was born into the family of Augustine and Dorothy DeSmedt on April 28, 1949, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. Larry’s father Augustine was quite strict and had wanted his son to take up his carpentry trade.
However, as a young boy growing up in Newburgh, New York, Larry became hugely fascinated by motorcycles. He was influenced by Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, an iconic California artist and hot rod builder whose style would become quite evident in Larry’s motorcycle designs.
9 Named After The Indian Brand
Notably, the “Indian” in Larry’s name originated from his early days of building and riding Indian motorcycles. Although he had several nicknames while growing up, Indian Larry seems to be the one that stuck. Larry was completely pleased with the nickname as revealed from one of his interviews since as he wasn’t overly excited about his other nicknames.
He was born Lawrence DeSmedt but became widely known with his nickname in the 1980s as he often rode the streets of New York City on a chopped Indian motorcycle.
8 Suffered Abuse
Larry had a torturous childhood. It was reported that he suffered abuse while studying in a Catholic elementary school. At the school, the nuns would beat Larry on his knuckles till they bled, then isolate him in locked dark closets. Too terrified, Larry kept these ordeals to himself, never telling his family.
However, his mum was observant enough to see the bruises on his knuckles, and when she inquired, Larry would tell her that he sustained the injury during fights. However, the family later knew of Larry’s ordeal.
7 Bought His 1st Bike As A Teenager
Larry bought his first motorcycle in his teenage years. Precisely, it was a 1939 Harley Knucklehead he acquired for about $200 back in the day. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Larry revealed how he took apart the motorcycle within hours of owning it but would need about nine months to figure out how to put it back together.
Larry would later head to California to learn motorcycle fabrication from his idol, hot rod builder Ed (Big Daddy) Roth.
6 Lost His Little Finger
Larry didn’t grow up with complete fingers. A popular version of the story behind the loss of the finger claimed Larry built a bomb as a kid in his parent’s basement, intending to blow up the catholic school where he suffered abuse. Unfortunately, the device blew up prematurely, severing Larry’s left hand’s little finger.
However, another version of the story claims Larry lost his finger while building a skyrocket for the 4th of July. When asked about it during an event, Larry didn’t provide direct answers.
5 Was A Perfectionist
Huge fame came in the 80s for Larry for his amazing motorcycle fabrication skills. As a young kid, he honed his fabrication skills by learning how to weld at Conrad Stenglein in the Newburgh area of New York.
While learning the trade, Larry showed incredible attention to even the minutest of details, an attribute that was way above normal for a teenager. It was reported that whenever Larry wasn’t satisfied with work, he would dismantle or cut it off, just to start the process all over again. An obsessive perfectionist.
4 Went To Prison
Larry’s sister, Diane, was murdered in 1971. The event and the ensuing grief drained Larry emotionally, leading him to indulge so heavily in drugs, it became an addiction. He also had problems financing the drugs, hence, he resorted to robbing stores.
In 1972, a sting operation by the cops led to Larry’s arrest while he exited a bank he had just robbed. As a result of this, Larry was sentenced to three years in prison. He was sent to Sing Sing prison at the age of 23.
3 Turned His Life Around
Amazingly, Larry’s time in prison turned out to be a life-changing moment for him. During his incarceration, Larry aced his General Education Development (GED) tests. He also read widely, requesting books on philosophy and other subjects, as well as a dictionary from his mum.
Also, while in the prison, Larry took courses on welding and mechanics, and it is widely believed that he honed all his best mechanic skills while serving his time. Notably, Larry was released from prison in September 1976.
2 Serial Build-Off Winner
Larry’s motorcycle fabrication prowess is indubitable. His first ever chopper creation was built from his sister’s little tricycle. He added an engine from an old mower, and a set of ape hanger handlebars to the tricycle, causing a big stare when riding it around his neighborhood.
However, having learned the ropes of motorcycle fabrication from the industry's best hands, Larry would later cement his name as a master chopper builder by winning build-off competitions with the production of Daddy-O (Rat Fink), “Wild Child,” and the amazing “Chain of Mystery” motorcycles.
1 Died In 2004
Bike stunts are some of Larry’s main forte. A great performer, Larry also, unfortunately, died as a result of head injuries sustained during one of his stunts. Larry fell off his motorcycle while performing a stunt in front of some 8,000 excited spectators at an arena outside Charlotte.
He was pronounced dead on 30 August 2004 at the age of 55 at the Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Indian Larry was cremated, and his ashes were kept by his family.