David Mann

David Mann (Kansas City, 1940 – 2004) was a California graphic artist whose paintings celebrated biker culture and custom choppers. Called the biker world's artist-in-residence, his images appeared in clubhouses, garages, on gas tanks, tattoos and T-shirts, and some real choppers were built after the bikes he had imagined.

He began with custom cars and worked as an automobile painter. After settling in California he became drawn to motorcycles, which replaced cars and pin-up girls in his art. From 1971 he worked with the magazine Easyriders, whose centre spread featured his paintings from 1973 until he was forced to retire in 2003 due to failing health. His recurring themes pair a biker with a complementary figure, such as a trucker or a medieval knight, and set him against police officers or conventional motorists.

He died a day after his 64th birthday. Shortly before his death, Orange County Choppers commissioned a custom bike in his honour for American Chopper, which was completed after he died. Since 2004 the David Mann Chopper Fest has been held annually in Ventura, California.