Kenny Kerr discovered his love of motorcycles and keen eye for creating masterpieces early in life. Growing up in Scarborough, Ontario, in the early 60’s, his love of bikes drew him to become a member of an infamous bike club, the Canadian Lancers. Over the next 40 years Kenny Kerr became a legendary custom bike builder in the motorcycle world. He was nicknamed “the Eater” early in his bike building career but later changed to “Magic.”
Kenny operated bike shops in Scarborough, Orillia and three in Newmarket Ontario. In the early 1960’s Kenny Kerr and his friend Ian Stewart were building custom choppers in Scarborough Ontario. One of the most infamous choppers that Kenny Kerr built was the Eater, affectionately named after him. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Eater toured the United States with celebrated bike builders Arnold Ness and Ron Finch. Upon returning to Canada, the chopper was stored in Kenny’s heated garage for over 30 years.
In 2005, it was disassembled and cleaned; surprisingly the chrome was remarkably intact and untarnished. It was sent to Kenny’s old friend and fellow bike builder Ron Finch who repainted it with its original design.
In 2007, it was entered in Speedorama and won Best Chopper and in 2009 it won Best Old School Chopper at the International Motorcycle Supershow.
An enduring creation
Amazingly, the Eater has survived over 45 years. In the 60’s and 70’s, choppers were built, shown and dismantled by builders so that they could use parts to build new creations. The Eater is the only known surviving original 1960’s chopper from that era, which he left to his friend Ian Stewart.
This past summer Kenny Kerr passed away leaving an immeasurable void in the motorcycle community. He will always be remembered for his vision and dedication to bike building.
As a tribute to his passion and love of bikes, Ian Stewart will be showcasing the Eater in Hall 5 at the International Centre during Supershow 2010. The North American International Motorcycle Supershow takes place January 15, 16 and 17 at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario. Parking is free. For show times and information visit www.supershowevents.com or call (905) 655-5403.
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