Blue Ridge Turn and Burn 2023 (Part 2 Dills Paint Works)
Tom Bowie (Deep Six Cycles)
If you read part one, you know that John Dills, owner of Dills Paintworks, picked me up at the airport and let me tag along with him while I was in town. Not only is John a great friend, but he also paints some of the rarest bikes on earth. One that comes to mind is the beautiful blue and white Crocker that can be seen on display at the Wheels Through Time Museum. It is not uncommon to find him working on 1st year 1936 knucklehead tins, and it has become an inside joke that he’s going to repaint them all. John often works from paint chips and samples to make sure his paint is a 100% factory match.
If you are a motorcycle lover, there is a good chance you have seen his work and not known it. John’s work has been featured in numerous publications and media including magazines such as American Iron, Cycle Source, Street Chopper and even on the Sons Of Anarchy television show. Bikes sporting his paint have been the subject of fine art by the incredibly talented Dave Uhl. I’ve seen his work on drag strips, on vintage bikes competing in the Cannonball, Sons of Speed, The Race of Gentlemen, Born Free Show Bikes and more.
One of the biggest secrets about John is he bangs out a badass flame job, and some of his old chopper paint is out right iconic. Though it is far more common to see him working on rare vintage restorations, and it seems to be much of the work that finds its way into his shop. But don’t be fooled, he lays down flake, candies and pearls with the best of them.
