John Hope Bryant's Indian

The Boys of Indian Ride

Here are all the fellas; Kevin "Hollywood" Holsome, our friend Ricco, Indian Ray and, well....me.

What a day! That's why my bike is called Inpendence.

Meet My "Independence"

My custom, hand-made Indian Chief motorcycle during the July 4th weekend in Los Angeles.

World -- meet "Independence."

John Hope Bryant

My 2000 Indian Chief, On Its Way To Its Annual Service Via Flatbed

Today was a great day...

Today was a great, great day! After a hard week of travel my wonderful wife sent me out for my own adventure... on my Indian! Had a ball.

Pure therapy. Started out in Westwood, California, continued on to Santa Monica and the all too important Apple store for my Ipod, then to the beach...

Got so into it that I decided to continue to run my errands, and even a business meeting on my Indian. A very cool day indeed.

Thanks sweetie!

Onward, with HOPE

The REAL Hollywood of California!

In May of 2004, I was shaken by the news that my dear friend, Kevin "Hollywood" Holsome, had been involved in a serious accident while on duty for the California Highway Patrol. Hollywood, a motor officer for the California Highway Patrol and a fellow Indian rider, loss one his legs to an amputation on that day.  But Hollywood's never ending positive spirit quickly reminded us all that he loss his leg, but not his life...

Hollywood was hit by a less than aware driver while on duty for the CHP. He lost his leg, but not his life, and certainly not his LIGHT, nor his will to live. And I mean – truly live. Remaining positive and upbeat from the moment this tragedy rocked his life, always seeing the brighter side, God has continued to bless his recovery.

Months following this horrible accident, Hollywood still refused to change his outgoing cell phone message, which said basically, “...if I don’t pick up it because I am on the bike somewhere, etc, ...leave a message --.” He loves motorcycles, and had vowed to not only ride again, but to become the first CHP motor officer in the history of the department to ride with a prosthesis!  I know, I know, “yeah right” -- is what is going through your head right now…. My thoughts exactly (at least these WERE my thoughts...).

Well, you may think of this whole thing as a bit nuts, but you simply don’t know Hollywood. A little more than 4 months after this life changing accident, I get this call, “...hey John, want to ride?” Well my friends, my sweetie and I rode out on Indian Chief to Palm Springs to an annual bike show with 20,000 other bikers, accompanied by the Indian “crew,” and the one and only Kevin “Hollywood” Holsome, riding HIS Indian too!!. No alternations (to the bike I mean) made!

Amazing, and a great and inspiring role model for us all.

Hollywood seems to be saying to us all, without saying even a word, never, ever, ever, let adversity keep you from living your dreams, nor your life. Never.

Thank you Hollywood, for just being YOU! You are an inspiration friend, and I love you. We love you my brother.

Onward with HOPE.

John and His Mom on Indian's First Date!

Ahhhhh - the beauty of a first date! And a double date at that!! This photo was taken the same week I purchased my love of the time (now eclipsed by my sweetie of course...), my 2001 Indian Chief motorcycle. On the back, at the annual company picnic for Operation HOPE, the organization I founded, is MY MOTHER!! A brave soul indeed. I took her for a spin out on busy La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles, doing about 80 miles an hour, and she never even freaked out! Of course I was careful with her on the back, but she still gets credit for being one of the coolest mom's in town.

This is basically how the bike came when I purchased it. Full formal dress with while walls, saddle bags and a dual seat and sissy bar on the back. You will see how I have customized and changed it, over and over again.