NYC pol touts Indian Larry hog-shop shutdown as win for himself — but owner reveals the real reason it’s closing
A Brooklyn councilman has been touting himself as the reason behind the rumored shutdown of a motorcycle shop famous for its wild parties, but the shop’s owner insists the “little boy” pol is clueless.
Owner Bobby Seeger told The Post that the business won’t actually close – it’s simply moving after the current landlord sells the building. He’s targeting a new spot in Williamsburg, just a couple of blocks away.
“It’s never going to go away. We’ll relocate,” Seeger explained, pointing to the shop that carries the name of Larry Desmedt, better known as Indian Larry, the celebrated motorcycle builder and stunt rider who gained fame on the Discovery Channel.
Seeger brushed off critics with a snarky reply: “What are you going to do? You can dance, tap, cry,”
Councilman Lincoln Restler had announced in his newsletter and on social media that Indian Larry would vacate its location on North 15th Street and Wythe Avenue in January, a victory for longtime Williamsburg residents who have long disliked the yearly street festival that spills out of the store’s front door.
In September the gathering drew nearly five thousand bikers, including members of the Hell’s Angels, and has been an annual tradition since Desmedt was killed in 2007 while performing a risky stunt known as the “Crucifix pose.”
Restler stated: “The Indian Larry motorcycle block party has caused major disruptions in Greenpoint for many years — damaging property and streets and negatively impacting local businesses and neighbors.”
He went on: “Block parties are an important and joyful part of community building—but it’s important that they be held in a manner that is respectful of our neighborhoods,”
Adding that, after working with neighbors, his office has confirmed that Indian Larry will leave their location in early January and the event will no longer take place in Greenpoint. “Feel free to reach out for more information.”
Restler was, however, not involved in the eventual loss of the lease, a fact the building’s owners confirmed. “Basically, they were losing money,” explained Paul Eisenberg, the property’s manager. “They were giving away below‑market rent to the community of manufacturers, and the real‑estate taxes and various other expenses made it impossible to sustain.”
Eisenberg emphasized that the block party had never been the issue.
Seeger said that Restler had emailed him after this year’s party accusing Indian Larry “wrecked the neighborhood.” “He’s never come in here. I looked at it and just put it on read,” Seeger replied to the message.
“He’s a little boy who never worked,” he added, referring to the councilman.
“In my eyes, who is he? To me, he’s just some little boy.”
Seeger blamed the controversy on Restler’s eagerness to claim credit for the shop’s departure, arguing it benefits the councilman’s image. “He wants to move up the ladder, and that’ll be something that he can pound on his chest,” Seeger said.
This year’s September 20 event saw no incidents reported to the NYPD, and only two 311 complaints about excess noise.
The anger surrounding the so‑called “motorcycle day” largely resides online, where complaints focus on loud music and accusations that participants are conservative racists. Though the event was once rowdy, with Hell’s Angels in attendance, it has shifted into a fundraiser over recent years following the 2012 death of Seeger’s son from Adrenoleukodystrophy.
Restler has yet to respond to a request for comment from the Post.
The shop’s expected move‑out date remains in January.
Since 2001 Indian Larry has operated in Brooklyn, moving between several storefronts. “Why move [from the neighborhood]? We’re here,” Seeger said. “Third Saturday in September. Maybe not this block, but it’ll be another block.”
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