Where is choppers inc located

The guy was at the top of his game and undoubtedly enjoying the ride but when we escaped out the back and sat on the bed of his hotrod truck to talk, one of my questions was about the fickle nature of stardom.

Prophetic glance of the future, or was the guy just showing his human, paranoid side? Whatever the reason, those words have come back to haunt him. On September 4 th , Billy Lane was involved in a car accident on the A1A highway not far from his shop, when his Dodge pick-up collided head on with a Yamaha scooter. Lane and his passenger, Erin Derrick veered off the road, flipped upside down and hit a telegraph pole. The rider, Gerald Morelock, was killed on impact. His corporate sponsors have run for the hills, blogs across the US get swamped whenever his name is mentioned and the local community of Melbourne where he has worked and lived for the past ten years regularly make their anti-Lane vehemence known on the local newspapers website.

Which is why, 5 years since my last visit, I travelled back to Choppers Inc in Melbourne to make up my own mind. Gone is the glass-fronted shop with the fancy trucks and bikes parked outside and the party atmosphere inside.

There are no staff or hangers-on, Billy Lanes mother, Marianne, now keeps the paperwork in order and an old friend Phil Z is the only other worker. On the surface, trial by media may seem justified as according to the press, Lane was drunk at the wheel and drove straight into Gerald Morelock, killing him instantly. But as with everything in life, there is more to the story. According to the police, Lane was in a no overtaking zone and twice the legal alcohol limit when the accident occurred.

But according to Lane, he started overtaking a line of slow moving traffic before the unbroken lines started. His attorney Greg Eisenmenger also maintains that the alcohol sample given after the accident may have been contaminated by the police and is therefore unreliable. An autopsy on the deceased also recorded alcohol levels above the legal limit and that he apparently, had turned onto the A1A highway from a side road mere moments before the collision.

But whatever happened, the basics facts remain the same. They won an undisclosed amount in an out-of-court settlement. Getting away from the huge cubic inch monster motors, Billy and Phil have tracked down some amazing and obscure old engines and frames to get the builds as original as possible.

A Harley JD sat on the bench housed in a newly built frame and finished with cycle parts from the same era. Next to it was a Waverly, fitted with a front end from a Cleveland. Whilst on the floor awaiting attention was a rarity indeed, a Thor single cylinder engine which was only made between But with lots of projects half finished and only Billy wielding the spanners, I had to ask the obvious question.

The trip obviously did the trick as Billy came back with a plan and a more philosophical attitude towards the whole thing. And as the court date loomed it looked like the State of Florida versus William Lane, which had been delayed and set back for the last two years, finally looked like it was going ahead. The initial accident and subsequent hearings had caused a lot of interest in the state and local press, with the local Melbourne paper Florida Today, covering the case avidly.

Although the articles appeared to be comparatively objective, it was the comments on the newspapers blog site that caused concern. But as the new court date fast approached it finally looked like he was going to get his day in court.

It was now late February, Billy was back from California and working flat out on his Daytona show bike. The break seems to have cleared his head and although more than happy to talk about the bike, with the court case so close, he lets Phil once more, be his official mouthpiece while he carries on working. So has he made any decisions about the business? I ask. With the court date days away a further twist appears, this time from the State Prosecutor Tom Brown.

In light of Lanes attorney questioning the validity of the blood sample, Brown now adds a further charge of vehicular homicide to the original charge.

This now means that if the alcohol level evidence is weak, they only have to prove that he was driving recklessly, to prove their case. Greg Eisenmenger announces that a plea agreement has been reached and that Lane will either plead guilty, or no contest at his next hearing. This was seen by the local bloggers as the ultimate cop out and yet another attempt by Billy Lane of trying to wriggle out of it. It should also be pointed out however that this move was only made possible after much behind the scene wrangling between both sides but more importantly, could not have gone ahead without consultation and agreement by the Morelock family.

But once again the proceedings grind to a halt. Apparently, the exact wording in documents held by defence and prosecutor differs slightly. The date for sentencing was fixed for May 29 th but through various delays on both sides dragged on still further until August. Finally on the morning of August 14 th , almost 3 years after the accident, Billy Lane stood before Judge Robert Burger ready to accept his fate and thankfully, did the only thing left he could do that might salvage some dignity.

He put his hands up totally. But after a 20 minute recess, Judge Burger returned to hand out the 6 year sentence with a further 3 years probation, a lifetime ban from driving and ordered him to be randomly tested for drug and alcohol on his release. Lane was then handcuffed and taken to the Avon County work camp to serve his time. So why write this now? Well, after 3 long years the final chapter of this sorry story has just been written. The hearing lasted just long enough to observe the formalities before the judge turned it down.

There is no doubt that this case has caused a tremendous amount of controversy with opinions covering both ends of the spectrum. But it is in the pages of bike magazines and sites such as this where the man should be judged by his peers.

It was who he was, it was what people liked about him, its why people bought his gear and women wanted their breasts autographed by him. Those that supported him when his star was rising and are now nowhere to be seen are hypocrites, obviously fame junkies just out for themselves.

Those that have mindlessly defended his actions without taking into account the grief stricken family Gerry Morelock left behind, are equally as blind and pathetic. Spay and neuter your white trash, please. In more blunt terms, this is a perversion of true justice. Hi Just read this Billy Lane has turned his prison time into a positive by helping other inmates learn how to weld and working on fixing the vehicles of the Avon Park Work Camp.

If something positive can come out of such a crap situation then that can only be good. People who go inside with a skill should put it to use instead of festering in a cell. His mistake was to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after having some drinks. I bet many of the people bashing him have done the same thing.

The only difference here is the ending result of his choice. I can guarantee that he had no intention of hitting that biker.

Lets face the facts here people, it was a mistake that resulted in a horrible end. If it was you I bet you would be singing a different tune. Michael BonAnno - January 3, at pm Reply.

You need to read the last paragraph. Thanks for dropping by though, comments are always welcome. I completely agree!

I think Billy is a man of vision,honor and integrity. Everybody makes mistakes in their lives at one time or another. That does not give people the right to judge others or their actions. I pray for those who judge people without looking into a mirror and judging theirselves!!! James Callahan - June 12, at pm Reply. Once Billy has served his time, I think he should take up another profession, say teaching people right from wrong. Allen Reed - November 15, at am Reply.

Billy being so well known will help in the cause against drunk drivers more so than most people because of the circle he was in. Let him heal. Owen - May 25, at am Reply. I want to wish Billy all the best,I am sure he is very sorry for what happened,we do not live in a perfect world ,things happen that we all wish at times had not. You must live life forward but at the same time not forget who we are ,Billy isnt trying to forget what happened and he is paying the price for his mistake.

Take Care. Christina - May 29, at am Reply. OBR - November 15, at am Reply. I met him in person one time in a bar, he was so beligerent. I hope he gets his ass reamed in prison. Roy - August 8, at pm Reply. What a dirt bag. I would lock him up for life.

I hope they rape him everyday in the shower. I have no respect or pity for this loser. Pete - August 18, at pm Reply. Andy - January 18, at pm Reply. Sounds like you have a problem and want to take it out on Billy! Remember he is paying for what he did wrong and he admits he was wrong so he is the bigger man here and everything is done for a reason we dont understand them when it happenes but good is usually the outcome and i will be praying for Billy.

Justin - January 19, at pm Reply. That kind of thinking belongs in jail. Art - May 24, at pm Reply. As you mentioned, there are no winners in this situation. There are, believe it or not, that still have respect for Mr. It is my hope that he comes back to building and that Choppers Inc.

Many of us have made mistakes, most of us have been very lucky that those mistakes did not have the same results but they could easy have. Lane is still unique and interestingly creative, I hope to see him back in business. Marc Mazerolle - September 12, at pm Reply. Kevin Mazza - October 17, at pm Reply.

BikerCajun - October 19, at pm Reply. It had to happen for some reason, we may never know what that reason was, but you have to believe in it! Sharla - October 21, at pm Reply. I like you a lot I want you to buid me a bobber someday if you would let me know when you can build me a bike cause your a great bike builder and are awesome.!!!!! My name is cole please let me know in my mind your a great guy and I love your bikes and I want you to start building again your a stud have a good one see you around buddy my number is Cole granzow - October 24, at am Reply.

Thanks, Patrick Campbell. Patrick Campbell - October 24, at pm Reply. Billy Lane. The Bike Fraternity awaits your release. With Godfathers of old school Chop like Indian Larry gone we await your return. Agape - November 12, at pm Reply. I have known Billy for many years and can say without question that he truly is an amazing man.

He was always high speed at the shop and was in and out of town so often that keeping up with his schedule became almost impossible. He was a HUGE people person and never turned anyone away. He never let his celebrity status go to his head and treated everybody like they were a good friend. He is a master at the art of Choppers and an absolutely unique Engineer. It amazed me when I read the remarks in the Florida Today blogs and I put my opinion in as well about the idiots bashing him.

Here is the bottom line. If you do know him, Then get your asses on here and defend him!!! I do not live to please others and I could care less if society likes me or not! Billy told me several times after the incident that he wished he had died that night because he would trade places without question if he could.

I Pray that when he has served his time, he will return to Melbourne and reopen the shop but in the mean time, I will support my friend and defend his name and honor above all! Boys and girls we all get kicked in the balls at one time or another but if your still breathing after the worst of the worst passes and you honestly LEARN something by your mistake, Then the kick was worth the education you got from it!

Your friend forever Chris Eisen. Chris Eisen - November 16, at am Reply. Reading these posts just get my blood rushing. By the grace of god I never killed anybody but I hurt a friend in one of my many accidents. I felt horrible. I could only imagine how Billy must feel.

Im not saying that is ok to drink and drive it is the most irresponsible thing a person can do. I wish I could say I never did it but I did. Its easy to throw stones but I choose not to! Billy you do what your doing god has a plan he always does! Lisa Dedrick. Lisa dedrick - June 25, at pm Reply. Everyone makes mistakes and unfortunate, tragic ones as well. Only one is allowed to judge others and he walks among us.

We should not be so quick to judge. I like it…reminds me of my dad! Stay cool…. Rhonda Studebaker - August 15, at pm Reply. I was a hypocrit more times than I can remember!! Go see your physician,if you dare. Fiorgive and forget! If the family of the gentleman who was killed can forgive Billy,then can we do at least as much? If we choose not to,God help us all! Try it,and you will see how much better you can sleep!

Try praying for Billy,and in time,you will experience healing in areas of your own life. To get the maximum sentence for Lane, the prosecuting attorney mentioned speeding violations and a poor driving pattern on the driving record of Lane. A Judge had prior approved a plea where investigators dropped the charges of manslaughter and felony DUI.

Earlier to the plea deal, Billy Lane was facing around years in prison. But, his license was revoked in North Carolina; also he was not allowed to drive in Florida during the fatal crash.

X Shopping Cart 0. Drunk-driving fatal crash in September On 5 th September , he was promoting Dodge Ram on Route A1A in Florida, and in another earlier incident happened in North Carolina, his driving license was canceled.

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Original Video. Ride of the Week - Latest Post. Ride of the Week. Sponsored Content. Lane, who previously owned Choppers Inc. His career came to a halt in September , when Lane crashed his pickup head-on into year-old Sebastian Inlet State Park ranger Gerald Morelock's small Yamaha motorcycle on a darkened road. Morelock was killed. Lane, traveling with a passenger at the time, was speeding past slow traffic in a no-pass zone on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach when the accident happened, police said.

Lane, who owned a shop in Melbourne, pleaded no contest in June to one count of vehicular homicide. Prosecutors agreed to drop a DUI manslaughter charge as part of a plea deal. A Facebook group named " Free Billy Lane " boasts more than 3, members, many of them showing support for his release. Those posting on the fan site were enthusiastic about Lane's release.