Where Are They Now? Jeff Cochran.

jeffcochranComing from a 2nd generation family of builders, young Jeff Cochran always built stuff in his garage and logically ended up starting his own custom motorcycle business. Jeff opened Sucker Punch Sally in Cincinnati, OH in 2002 and very fast took as partner Donnie Loos, another local long time builder with who I was intensively show touring in the 90’s,. Without hesitation I can say that both were the 1st to successfully produce and sell a line of very cool looking custom bikes at a very reasonable budget. And all this at a time when most of us were building “sky is the limit” budget bikes…

Then the economy went down the drain and the Sucker Punch Sally models, because of their affordability, became even more desirable. Then Christian Clayton,  joined the company, and after a 3-year transition, both Jeff and Donnie, somewhat tired of the production business, decided this January to definitively severe their relation with Sucker Punch Sally and to come back to their respective business of building one-off bikes (for Jeff,  SpeedKing Shop, for Donnie Don’s Customs, both located in Cincinnati).

But the case of Jeff is interesting because at the age of 42, at the same time he continues to build bikes, has decided to intensively pursue his other long time passion for photography. As a matter of fact very few know like me that all advertising for Sucker Punch Sally during its first years was conceived, designed and photographed by Jeff himself. And being a former adman, I always thought that his ads were pretty good at helping a lot build the right image for his company. Jeff’s photography remains focused on the automotive industry, people and machines, uses unusual lighting (very often flash in daylight and under exposure in dark scenes), Jeff being more interested to express mood and personalities than bike details. In other words, Jeff photography is about our Kustom Kulture. An interesting photo gallery on his website at SpeedKing Photo.

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35 Responses to “Where Are They Now? Jeff Cochran.”


  1. 1 Shifter Jan 26th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    Jeff & Donnie were the true Sucker Punch Sally. I doubt Christion Clayton will ever be SPS, although he likes to put his mug on all print ads.

  2. 2 Joe Schmoe Jan 26th, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    Let’s not forget that Jeff was also a custom jewelry designer before exclusively building bikes. The original SPS bikes set the precedent for what a late model ‘bobber’ should be. Now, his photography is equal to the best out there. Jeff is truely an innovater, and craftsman. Best of luck in all of your endeavors, and keep up the good work.

  3. 3 A1 cycles Jan 26th, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    There’s an inside story her no one wants to talk about?

  4. 4 A1 cycles Jan 26th, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    Sorry should read “here”

  5. 5 Bud Jan 26th, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Christian Clayton is a poser. The bikes Jeff and Donnie started out building had soul and the production bikes you see now have none. Twenty grand for a bobber with a Korean motor and more foreign parts then they’ll admit is sad. Who’s buying these bikes anyway? I know one guy that has one and he is a choad. The rest of the guys that don’t know any better have all dumped their Big Dogs and Ironhorses for Street Glides.

  6. 6 Roadside Marty Jan 26th, 2010 at 11:26 pm

    Congrats to Jeff and Donnie on all of their new endeavors!! I’m fortunate enough to call both of them friends! Here’s a little history lesson for you out there who may not know this but the greatest Chopper Show of all time…Willie’s Ol Skool Show at Tropical Tattoo was originally started because Jeff and Donnie and the rest of the Cinncinati crew would park their bikes out front while waiting to ride over to Lollipops for afternoon refreshments with Willie and before they could split the parking lot would be packed with people checking out their bikes so Willie said we might as well have a show if you guys show up and the rest is history as they say!!!! Look forward to seein ya in March Jeff…Roadside Marty

  7. 7 Dar - Brass Balls Bobbers & Choppers Jan 27th, 2010 at 12:48 am

    Congrats to Jeff (and Donnie). These guys are the real deal. Very talented artists and builders. Good people who care about people. From the very beginning I have admired Jeff and Donnie. All the best fellas… in all your endeavors. And when you see Roadside, could you get his autograph for me…

  8. 8 ian Jan 27th, 2010 at 2:44 am

    Thats a really interesting photo gallery some nice shots and well worth the time going through – good one.

  9. 9 Steve Kelly Jan 27th, 2010 at 7:31 am

    Some great photography at the Speed King gallery, well worth the time to look!

  10. 10 Alan Mayes Jan 27th, 2010 at 7:47 am

    Jeff is as talented in photography as he (and Donnie) are in building motorcycles. I have great respect for both of them. They deserve much success (again!).

  11. 11 Marilyn Stemp Jan 27th, 2010 at 8:44 am

    Glad to see theses comments going back to a more positive tack.
    Jeff and Donny are living the dream and they got it the right way—by earning it—so it’s well deserved. I just finished a story about Jeff for the next IronWorks (shameless plug, but Cyril started it) and when Jeff read it his comment was: “You make me sound cool.” My comment back: “Cool is born, not made.”

    PS – Hey, Dar, I think I have Roadside’s autograph – on the bottom of a bounced check! (JK, sorry Marty – you only pick on the people you like, right?)

  12. 12 PeaceLoveChoppers Jan 27th, 2010 at 9:01 am

    Thank you Cyril for the background on this. I’ve always wondered how SPS shifted from the cool Donnie and Jeff days to the current Progressive covered Christian days. This explains it all. I met Donnie and Jeff in Sturgis 2005 and fell in love with them and their bikes. Great people and great pieces of work. It was their style, design, and Jeff’s photography that hooked me! Good job guys and good luck.

  13. 13 Dave Theobald Jan 28th, 2010 at 11:14 am

    Let’s not forget that those guys gave a helping hand to a lot little guys. I had made a grand total of one seat when I was asked to do a seat for the gold bobber. That was 5 years and several hundred seats ago.

    Thanks to Jeff and Donny.

  14. 14 sidewinder Jan 28th, 2010 at 11:49 am

    Check out Jeff’s site. I was very impressed with the photos. Definitely creates a cool vibe with whatever he photographs.

  15. 15 apprentice dennis Jan 28th, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Its a shame that most people dont know the real story and think that Jeff and Donnie,s name is on the future of SPS. I am fortunate to live in their back yards(Jeff and Donnie) and spend a lot of time at their shops. You will not meet anyone more cool, talanted, and true to motorcycles than these two. Just stay tune, you can soon figure it out for yourself.

  16. 16 Roadside Marty Jan 28th, 2010 at 5:39 pm

    Hey Mr. Holdsworth I’ve been waiting anxiously for your presence in Daytona in March so that I can finally say that I’ve met a famous bike builder!!! I’m so excited..hey Marilyn I’m sorry the check bounced..did you tell the bank how “famous” I am when you tried to cash it???? Can’t wait to see you guys soon..Roadside

  17. 17 cwglide Jan 28th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    I really like Sucker Punch Sally website, has a nostalgic look and feel to it. Congrats to Jeff and Donnie

  18. 18 jwleatherneck Jan 28th, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Jeff and Donny are real as it gets folks and dont forget Super Dave. They got there glory the old fashioned way THEY EARNED IT. But the best part is it never went to thier heads.They still treat the little garage builders with respect. and knowing them personally for a short time and becoming friends I found out you can’t find more down to earth guys. As far as the the guy that bought his glory good luck, theres really only one real SUCKER PUNCH and we all know it grew from the hearts of the boys from the midwest . good luck to them your past success will be hard to match but I’m sure you guys will pull it off and sit back with us little guys have a cold one and smile and say we did it again thanks for bringing back the real (oldschool) Jay

  19. 19 JoAnn Bortles Feb 1st, 2010 at 9:27 am

    I wish Jeff and Donnie all the best. They’re the kind of hands on, super talented, yet down to earth people who have helped make this industry what it is today. Working people who had a vision and did something amazing with it.

  20. 20 WILLIE Feb 1st, 2010 at 10:22 am

    Man JEFF and DONNIE are cool cats for sure and the bikes they built you could get on and ride with out stopping ever mile to work on they are all clean FUNCTIAONAL and reliable and look good too great job guys see you at CHOPPER TIME MARCH 4TH, ROADSIDE HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD GUYS THANKS.ITS always been about the PEOPLE..You guys will always do great..
    respect,
    TROPICAL TATTOO WILLIE
    .

  21. 21 Cochise Feb 1st, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Very Good People.

    Those two men have MADE several events worth attending and STAYING AT, with their work and presence. God’s Speed in their new endeavers!!!

  22. 22 Chris Callen Feb 1st, 2010 at 11:03 am

    I will always have big love and respect for both of these cats for the same they have both shown me. Once upon a time I had a little newssprint mag and it was the words of both Jeff and Donnie that expressed how they dug what we were doing that gave me the inspiration to go further with it. They have always been supportive and that is something they do with a lot of people in our industry. They both are true brothers when you are lucky enough to call them that.

  23. 23 Black Sunshine Customs Feb 1st, 2010 at 11:42 am

    I am lucky to call both my friends. Both very talented people. Congrats and keep up the great work.
    Brian

  24. 24 bean're Feb 1st, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    I was always impressed with what Jeff and Donnie did and I’m sure neither one is finished by a long shot. Its people like this in the business that make my life so much more enjoyable when I do what I do ( whatever that is).

  25. 25 Jeff Cochran Feb 1st, 2010 at 9:13 pm

    I want to take a minute to just say thanks to all of you. Donny and I have been very blessed in our endeavors together, we have had 3 lifetimes of fun during our journey. We always have and always will be great friends. The devision was just a natural progression of great things to come for both of us. The coolest part of this whole thing is the large list of people that I can say are true friends, not someone that acts like a friend only when it is convenient or they need something but people that really care about your well being. Your only as strong as who’s in your corner, as you can see from all the kind words above, I have a great corner. With you guys on my side I can do anything. Thanks again and I hope to see you guys soon.
    Jeff

  26. 26 Lon Nordbye Feb 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 pm

    Apologies for being the Jonny-come-lately here, but I echo the sediments of all who have posted. The one thing that rings consistent for me personally in my experiences with both Jeff and Donny is that they have been and will always be, some of the purest forms talent in all that they do. Unlike many others in the motorcycle industry, Jeff and Donnie have always been willing to share themselves, their time and energy with all those who share a similar mindset and passion. They have never been arrogant, pretentious or thought of themselves in a higher context. Most importantly, they know that it’s not what you get from motorcycling, its what you give to motorcycling that counts and for that I am proud to know them and share in their worlds. You guys fucking rule. We could all use less of the Christian Clayton-SPS bashing however, keep it classy Cyril Huze bloggers, keep it classy……

  27. 27 Tory Feb 5th, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Let me tell you…. Jeff Cochran is the real deal. You won’t find a better man out there.

    Jeff just finished a ’72 shovel for me, and I consider it an honor and a priviledge to own one of his creations. Its everything I’ve ever wanted and then some.

    Not only is he one hell of a builder, he is a good man. He’s a straight-shooting, square-dealing guy. You know exactly where you stand. No B.S. If he likes your ideas, he’ll share in your enthusiasm. If not, he’ll tell you what’s up, come up with a better alternative, and move forward.

    He always makes you feel welcome in his shop.

    Other shops, guys, styles, and trends have come and gone. But Jeff Cochran’s work stands the test of time. The custom motorcycle industry is lucky to have him.

    Hats off Jeff. Much love and respect.

    Tory

  28. 28 79 shovel Feb 8th, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    I have met jeff and donny personaly and both are the coolest cats out there. I know personaly all the cats that work at sps they are real bikers and are not resposible for the product produced at sps they do what there told like most of working america. I also know cristian clayton has never turned a wrench in his life and to call him a bike builder is a flat out lie! I love jeff and donney and the work they have done. I have had donny help me with motor tips and talked to jeff at there shop back east best dudes ever. Always ready to help any way they can something thats hard to find these days. People in the industry these days are too focused on the almighty dollar instead of getting a brother out in the wind. Jeffs web site gets me fired up and makes me wanna ride! Long live the true bikers and death to the posers. The truth with expose all the lies. See ya in the wind.

  29. 29 Sara Ray Feb 11th, 2010 at 2:58 am

    Jeff /Rock +Donnie/ Roll =a couple of cool compadres !

  30. 30 john thomas Mar 6th, 2010 at 8:40 am

    All i have to say is good luck and shoveljesus will return and Jeff will take pictures of it.

  31. 31 Taco Oct 4th, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I like to go back and read these comments. SuckerPunch will never be a motorcycle builder now that Jeff and Donny are gone. There are only a couple of guys there now that use to sell cars at a Ford dealership. Never, never, never CC…you got no style, you piggy-backed off of Jeff and Don, and now you got no builders. Hey Jeff and Donny, just start building them again!! They are soooo far in debt, I don’t believe they have the money or time to deal with it. True

  32. 32 Shawn Hartley Oct 12th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    I was lucky to have met both of these fine Gents when they were here in Virginia supporting thier dealer Rocker Originals in Yorktown, and im old enough to have been around building chops & bob jobs without the aftermarket of today, These cats are the real deal!!!!!!!!!

  33. 33 Jeff Oct 25th, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I have been wondering what happend to Jeff and donnie. I picked up a horse bak street chopper magazine 5 years ago and saw ssp in it. I thought their bikes were the best I ever scene! After awhile all I ever saw was c.c. in all of the adds,and a dinner? Jeff and Donnie got me into the old school style so much that I went out and found old 60″s biker movies on dvd! I hope they start another company again on their own, and keep it the wayit is meant to be. Hell they inspirer me to try to build my own bike someday! Good luck Jeff and Donnie we need you !

  34. 34 Rick Oct 25th, 2010 at 8:39 pm

    You will be hard pressed to find more talented and genuine guys than Donnie & Jeff. I have followed Donnie many years when he just had Don’s Custom Cycle. He created some of the most beautiful bikes around back then. I didn’t know much about Jeff, and still don’t, but after seeing the bikes he could put out, I knew he was the real deal. Together, these two put motorcycling back within reach of the average person. And on bikes that just plain kicked ass. Whatever they choose to do, I know they will do it with integrity and it will definitely kick major ass.

  35. 35 Bob R. Feb 26th, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    I’ve met Donnie but not Jeff yet! They inspired my build which is along the lines of a bike on the old SPS website.
    Donnie just sold me an ignition and gave me a bunch of his stickers which will adorn my toolbox!
    I’m hoping to meet Jeff some day and talk to him as I have Donnie!
    Class acts and I’m glad they have the talents they have!
    Rock on guys!!

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Cyril Huze