Every year, The One Motor Show fills a vacant industrial area along Portland, Oregon’s waterfront with highly customized motorcycles, trikes, mini bikes, cars, and trucks. While the world-class show is distinctly Portland, it brings in people, vehicles, and vendors from all over the U.S. (and abroad) to take in amazing builds. There’s a little bit of everything, including food, music, and classes, but the focus is definitely on the vehicles.
I generally go to The One Moto Show every 2 or 3 years, and it’s always a blast—2025 was no different. From cafe racers and European scooters to two-stroke choppers and crazy customized Corvettes, I look forward to this event every time. Here are some of my favorites from the show—and they’re not just on two wheels.
The Motos
I’m a sucker for anything in Gulf livery, including this 1975 Honda CR 550 by Chris Trotter. Since Gulf Livery Works On Everything, I had to snap a pic of this beauty.
This rad chopper is powered by Kawasaki’s infamous “widowmaker” two-stroke triple engine. The original Kawasaki H2 Mach IV (750 cc) and H1 Mach III (500 cc) bikes were equipped with a powerful three-cylinder engine. The bikes were known to be a handful to ride, hence the widowmaker moniker. I’m sure this custom chopper isn’t any easier to pilot.
It’s not every day you see a Harley-Davidson-powered 1980 quad, but builder Ed Brink mated the two expertly. I bet it moves out pretty well and has the classic Harley tone. This is not your average hog!
With a single swing arm, three-spoke rear wheel, and a retina-burning paint job, this custom Honda sport bike fires on all cylinders. There’s a distinct ’90s vibe going on with this bike, and I love it.
Custom mini bikes are a thing at The One Moto Show. In fact, they’re some of my favorite builds. This Cookie Monster-themed cycle was built by Mike Hudson, aka @minibike_mike. While minimal, there’s still a lot of funk going on with this little thing.
Rolling on fat Hoosiers, this minibike looks like a tiny Batpod, and it was built by Don Neely. I looked at the tank section, and there were several modern buttons, including an NOS button. Functional? I have a feeling only Don knows.
While this bike is cool, the trailer is the centerpiece. This one-wheeled pull-behind (with reservoir shocks) was carrying quite the load, including extra gas, extra wheels, and who knows what else! But this isn’t just a showpiece; the owner has taken some real long-distance trips with it.
A Vespa is about as classic as it gets in the scooter world, and this racy yellow model really caught my eye. The black wheels, meatball number plate, and shiny bright paint are just the thing for this little runabout.
The Cars/Trucks
Every year, there are some cool cars and trucks alongside the motorcycle madness. Here are some of my faves.
You couldn’t help but notice this wild C3 Corvette. I thought it had distinct Corvette Summer vibes. With crazy fiberglass body kits, side pipes, and wide Centerline wheels, this thing screamed ’70s customization.
Not to be outdone by the front, look at the incredible rear end with built-in louvers, single rear taillights, and—those side windows! The red metal-flake bass-boat paint job was also notable. Love it or hate it, it’s perfect for The One Moto Show. There aren’t a whole lot like these left.
Custom ’70/’80s vans are always a sidekick to custom motorcycles, and this Chevy is choice. The root beer brown paint, graphics, and Keystone mags create a just-right aesthetic. Add the side pipes and raked stance, and it’s just awesome.
Sometimes you need big pulling power … especially in the military. This is an Oshkosh M1070 from PAD Heavy Diesel in Scappoose, Oregon. To say this is huge is to say The One Moto Show has a couple of bikes to check out. This thing is a mega brute. I could hardly back up enough to get it in the picture!
If the Oshkosh above is a Harley-Davidson, this Datsun 510 is a scooter. The four-spoke wheels, patina finish, and in-the-weeds stance is old-school excellence.
Right next to the 510 was this Nissan Viloet, aka, Datsun 710. This slammed street fighter had JDM three-spoke wheels, perfect patina, and a host of vintage JDM goodies. I very much dig this.
The saw blade rear trim piece caught my eye. The “RUF CUT” Oregon license plate was the perfect addition to this old Ford work truck’s persona.
The 1964 Chevrolet Impala is the quintessential lowrider, and this was a super example. The red paint, the spoked wheels, and the hydraulics all screamed classic car culture. As the band, War, sang, “The lowrider rides a little higher.”
An off-road-ready Gambler 500 Corvette C3 on BFGoodrich KO2s? Oh yes. I love every single thing about this, and you should too.
Among the lowriders, massive diesel trucks, and Gambler cars was this minty Toyota Celica Sunchaser. This yellow drop top on Minilite wheels and BFGoodrich Radial T/As was a total late ’70s/early ’80s throwback. It felt a little out of place, but at the same time, The One Moto Show has an inclusivity that also made that out-of-place feeling feel just right.
It’s hard to explain, but The One Moto Show brings together a mix of all things motorized into one special space. If you’ve never been and you’re a moto fan, it’s totally worth going. But you’ll have to wait until May of 2026. Mark it on your calendar.