Adam is a rare breed of fella trying to make a real impact in people's lives. He is a man fighting for a serious ongoing cause, Veteran suicide. If you followed the Elpho Chopper Show this year or attended, chances are you came across him or 'Pop Smoke' as he is also known by. I had the chance to meet him a month or so ago and it was both inspiring and emotional to say the least.
Name: Adam Barrett
Age: 33
Location: Townsville, Queensland - Australia
Day job: My wife calls me a full time hobbyist.
Tell us a bit about Pop Smoke? What's it all about?
I served nearly 10years in the Australian Army as an Infantryman. During my service I lost 2 friends to PTSD and I suffered some mental health issues myself. I decided to build the bike for both my mates and to give me a purpose after discharging. Well that's how it started. Things kinda blew up from there and I got swayed into running an instagram page on the progress and it became a bike for not only my mates but the greater community that have struggled with mental health. I then rode the bike over 4000km's from Townsville to the Elpho Chopper Show in Victoria, then to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Current Bikes: 1952 HD Panhead Chopper - I call it Creeping Death. Crazy story is after naming the bike I got in contact with one of it's previous owners in Texas and let's just say the name suits it.
1948/84 HD Chopper - The 'Pop Smoke' bike. It's a 1984 HD motor & transmission in a modified '48 OEM frame
When did you get into bikes and why?
I've always liked bikes, but I guess I was a bit of a late bloomer. No one in my family rode or liked bikes but I used to save my money when I was young to buy tattoo magazines. That's when I first started to see choppers and David Mann art.
First Road Bike?
1990 SMR Husqvarna 450
How do you approach building bikes? What is your process?
I'm still figuring that one out hahaha. I usually start by gathering inspiration pictures and ideas, then I make a checklist. I don't have the best memory so I always tend to take notes when I see something that gives me inspiration. After the process is done and I've changed my mind a million times I start working on my check list and knocking things off. I like to keep things simple and always taking notes (a good soldier always has a notebook and pen).
Where did you learn to work on bikes?
It started with forums, because where I'm from there's not too many blokes or shops that work on Vintage Harleys. Then I started buying manuals and joining a few chat groups that help build old Harleys. After buying my Panhead I started meeting a few grey beards and it's led me to where I am now.
How would you define your style?
I don't think I have a certain style, but I like a classic simple chopper, nothing to flashy or wild. I want to build several choppers for myself and have them different styles. That way it's a different experience riding each bike.
What's your workshop setup like?
Prior to selling my house last week it was a simple garage workshop, no fancy tools just the basics. When I started building my garage I asked a greybeard what's one thing I should buy for my garage workshop? A parts washer.
I'm forever buying tools to expand my capability. I'm building another house and it will have a 9x7 shed which I plan to have it setup as a full workshop, from lathe, welders and painting booth. I want to be able to build a bike from ground up in one place.
Any projects in the works?
It never ends. I'm planning on rebuilding my '52 Panhead into a David Mann replica with my own take on it.
What's your dream bike?
Shit, my wife wants me to get a knucklehead, but there's one bike that I'm on the look out for at the moment. I want an all original 1980 Harley-Davidson FXWG Fireball, there's something about it. I know that's one bike I would keep 100% stock.
Finally, any advice to servicemen that are discharging?
Discharging from the Australian Army wasn't the easiest process for me. I went from a job where I had purpose and a sense of pride to the civilian life with limited to no transferrable skills. Not having my mates who were practically my family around me 24/7 was tough.
It's a jungle out there and gotta look out for each other. Choppers gave me a purpose and got me into a community that is fucking unreal. I can't seem to explain the amount of top blokes I've met from choppers. For anyone struggling after service try keep your mind and body active, maintain contact with homies in the defence and take your time finding your next path in life, it doesn't happen overnight.
You will find purpose in just about anything you can do. You gotta believe in yourself and look out for each other.
Anyone that needs a chat or some advice, send me a message my doors always open for you.