Builder Spotlight - AJ Bengoa
We wanted to shine a light on the talented folks behind the bikes, so we sent our builders a few questions to help us (and you) get to know them a little better. Below you'll find their unfiltered answers and a few photos that give you a glimpse into who they are—on and off the bike.
Name: AJ Bengoa
Name Of Shop/Business/Nickname: Righteously Blessed Choppers
Instagram: @aj_bengoa
Website Address: https://far-outphotography.smugmug.com
Email Address: ajbengoa@gmail.com
What's your daily rider? And why? Any mods you have planned for it in-the future?
I actually ride the both daily. Vengeance has gone on the longest one's, but shovelicious gets as much in town time though.
What bikes do you currently own?
Currently i still own Shovelicious the Love maCHine, a 1981 swingarm chop. Vengeance of course and a 1985 ironhead long chop project I have in the works.
Favorite part you have ever used, fabricated or bought?
My most favorite part i fabed up on Vengeance is the ride off kick stand. Because mine works and still rocking on my bike. And the coolest part I've bought for her is the Dimond cone timing cover as it seems to be the only one in the world so far. Lol.
Best Track you have ever Raced on? Why?
Oh I'm a racer alright. No I'm just playing, I actualy broke and almost lost my right leg to the infection of the injury on a promod Sporty, which actually is what brought me to Choppers, the culture and to yous guys here at Mama tried.
Podcast Suggestions? What are you listening to these days?
It's kinda hard to keep my attention as far as pod casts. But I do have my own youtube channel called "Choppular Mechanics" that keeps me occupied.
Is there anything you are working on currently that you're excited about? Does not have to be a motorcycle. House project? Jumps in the backyard for the kid? Tree House? Custom Chopper? Custom Meat Smoker?
I actually got big into photography. I became the official photographer for the AMCA Cherokee Chapter. I got to shoot BornFree Texas 3 and a couple of other events for Easyriders magazine, and I just might be taking photos for Easyriders Magazine while I'm here at Mama tried.
Best Experience at a motorcycle event? Which Event? (Please don't feel like you have to say MT/FOF. This is not about that!)
My best experience at a motorcycle event was my 1st bornfree california which was this year. It opened so many opportunities and life long connections. I'm truly blessed.
Rank your TOP Motorcycle activities. Street? Barhopping? Flat Track Racing? Single Track? FMX? Ice Racing? Looking cool in front of the ladies and or gentleman? (Choices not limited to these suggestions)
My top activities include wake and baking. Testing my skills by shooting with only a 35mm lens. My brick masonry company that funds my lifestyle. Making cool content for my youtube channel. Which yall should totally like and subscribe. I promise yall will dig my cinematic skills.
What is your earliest memory related to motorcycles? Or what was your first moto/minibike? Do you still have it?
My earliest memories of me and motorcycles was probably my first time riding a mini bike. I don't remember what it was, I do remember it had more then one gear and how quick I figured out how to get out of first. It was always bmx/freestyle bikes from then on. To me riding and working on Choppers 100% reminds me of having to work on my bmx bike in the middle of nowhere because I did a trick that bent my handle bars, chain fall off, bent rim something. Always something. I actually gave up my 2020 road glide special because it lost its luster of the tinkering and roadside fixes the Choppers guarantee. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes things do go wrong at the wrong time. Like in group rides. In front of everyone staring. Or when you've had enough of life and ready to get some wind therapy and end up have to work on your ride in frustration and a list of swear words. I mean if it's custom your gonna be cussing.
Is there any questions we have not asked yet that you have been dying to answer?? Now is your time to shine. Let us have it.
Nothing on the top of my head.
Best Motorcycle Crash? Good or Bad? Still riding afterwards?
My best motorcycle crash, hopeful is my only one. Lol. So mine happened on a 2015 iron 883 with a hammer 1250 in it. I had just gone threw a divorce, saw those unknown industries Stunt riders. Bout a sportster and built me a dyna killer. Only I almost killed myself. Lol. So one day while trying to show off to an uncle riding with this particular day when I decided I was going to do whillies while standing on the rear seat. Well long story short, I was going to fast, pulled to hard and to far back. I threw my right leg out to catch myself. The road sucked my leg under the bike, running over my own leg. But that's not the best part. You see I landed in a beach ball sized red fire and mount. By the time EMS arrived, probably half my body was covered in ants. I literally had dead ants in every crevous of my body. Butt crack, arm pits you name it. And not one ants bite. Freak out on that one.
How did you get started fabricating/painting/building/collecting?
Well, this crazy accident is what brought me into it all. Fabrication, painting, building, photography everything. I was like, I was the one that caused my own wreck. So I knew I had to get back on the horse so the saying goes. Only I wanted to build something cool. And that's when I came across the movie 21 days under the sky. Built my first chopper. Got an interview on Dennis Kurt's Garage build, and everything blew up from there.
If you could invite a Builder/Bike to Mama Tried, who would that be?
If I could invite a builder to mama tried it would be Dominic Mingirulli. My dear friend who is a master of building grand Choppers.
What other stuff influences you? Books, architecture, cooking, painting, hot rods, movies, etc.?
Photography and photographers are my other and amazing influences. I have have the greatest honor shooting beside many of the best and well known Shooters in the game. I totally freak out all the time finding myself in the amazing places and amazing people I get the honor to be with.
If you could travel to any country, where would you go and why? (This could be a place you’ve already been)
I'd love to travel to Egypt. Right near da beach boy-e. Lol.
If you had 6 months where you didn’t have to worry about financial, professional or personal obligations, what would you want to do with that time?
I'd love to travel the world and photograph it on a softail chopper.
Favorite book that comes to mind?
The book of Jabez. Wanna change your life. Grab you a copy.
If you had an unlimited budget, what bike would you buy/build?
I'd totally buy me a knucklehead and get out of the cone zone.
What's your most memorable road trip and why? And what’s an item you always bring?
2022 was my favorite road trip. I got to travel for almost 4 months with my build The Spirit of Vengeance. From one invitational to another. I started out at run to Raton, headed to party at the pen, then straight to glory daze, Biltwels parts and labor, BornFree Texas 2 then finished at the Fort worth moto expo and Swap meet. I filmed the most epic 5 part cinematic film available to watch on my youtube channel called "The Road" And I had Samson every where I went, and everywhere I go. Because, I need to speak with Samson. If you know, you know.
Favorite Restaurant? Why?
My favorite restaurant is McDonald's. Because they make good turds.
Favorite sandwich?
My favorite sandwich is a good old helping of hamburger helping between toast.
Any Brand Loyalty when it comes to motorcycles? Or do you operate your collection like a Swiss Army Knife? Please Explain.
Pre 1985 Harley-Davidson over here. Because Harley died in 85.
3 favorite bands (off the top of your head)?
"Gretta Van Fleet
Cream
Wutang"
Anyone to Thank, give props, talk shit or say hello to?
I wanna think Vic Hugas the president of AMCA'S Cherokee Chapter for blessing me with my position. To Chuck Knuppel for opening the door of photography to me. To Dominic and Mar Mingirulli for all they have done and blessed me with. And my mom for buying me my 1st camera. A canon m50 mark two in 2020 that helped me become the photographer i am now.
