Sachem Alum Wins First and Third Place At Javits Center International Motorcycle Show

George Stinsman, a Sachem alum from the Class of 1992, is the owner of Chaos Cycle, Long Island's up-and-coming custom chopper shop in Mastic. 

He recently won both first and third place at the International Motorcycle Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, which ran from Jan. 19-21.

There were about 45 bikes in the competition and approximately 100,000 people were there throughout the weekend.

"I probably talked to over 1,000 people," said Stinsman.  "It was definitely the most people I've ever seen at a bike show."

Stinsman is no stranger to bike shows, having been in hundreds of them, and winning around 100. His shop has two windows that are impressively filled with trophies on display.

"I don't think I've entered a big one without winning," he said.

Chaos Cycle has been leaving the competition in the dust for the past five years at their location in Mastic, and before that at their shop in Patchogue for two years prior.

The skilled owner always had a zeal for taking things apart and rebuilding them, even as a small child, as was attested to by his mother, Loretta Stinsman.

"I'm very proud of him. He's been mechanically inclined since he was a baby.  Every day he used to take the shutters off his crib," she said while leafing through the scrapbook she keeps which is filled with photos from all the shows her son has been in.  There were clippings from magazines such as Iron Horse, American Cycle and Iron Works.  In it there are articles from the U.S., England and Spain. 

Chaos Cycle sells handmade parts, clothing and accessories; and deals with every major motorcycle manufacturer in the industry.  They are also a licensed motorcycle manufacturer themselves.

"Everybody else builds boring bikes. Long Island is filled with boring bikes," said Stinsman, a man who pulls no punches, on what makes his creative choppers a cut about the rest.  "They don't look like Harley-Davidsons.  Every other bike looks like a painted Harley- Davidson."

Stinsman's wife, Dee Stinsman, made sure to note that Chaos Cycle's choppers are "mechanically sound."  The discerning motorcycle enthusiast can actually ride these bikes as well as admire them.

"Most customs, you can't ride," informed Dee Stinsman.

For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Chaos Cycle is the place to go.

"When [George] says one-off, you're not going to see another one on Long Island, and that's what sets us apart.  It's not cookie-cutter," Dee Stinsman said.  "He's the creative genius.  I do pretty much everything else."

Currently, the pair is promoting a bike show at the Bald Hill Amphitheater called Chaos on the Hill:  Chop and Rod Festival.  It is scheduled for Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  It will be builder driven, and a collaborative effort with many others in the industry.  A huge turnout is expected.

In contrast to the typical bikes and cover bands that are frequently found at such events, they are in talks about planning something spectacular with the Roller Derby girls, and looking to book bands that rock a little harder than usual.

Advertisers and sponsors are wanted for the upcoming show, as well as food and merchandise vendors.

"It's going to be the biggest bike show Long Island has ever seen," Dee Stinsman assured.  "We have friends that are bike builders from all over the country, and I got them to come."

The Stinsmans hope that eventually they can turn this annual event into Long Island's first bike week.

A large portion of the proceeds from this year's show will go to the Stony Brook Hospital Burn Unit and their not-for-profit burn camp for children.

This is a cause the Stinsmans believe strongly in, since their nine-year-old son Devin Stinsman spent several weeks in the burn unit at Stony Brook University Medical Center last month, after a kerosene space heater set his pants on fire, leaving him with second- and third- degree burns.

"The state is trying to close down the burn unit; it's the only one in Suffolk County," said the concerned mother.  "Whatever money that's raised might help keep the doors open."

To inquire about all information pertaining to the upcoming bike show contact Dee or George Stinsman at (631) 714-4101 or (631) 566-6988.