FROM VERT LEGEND TO CHOPPER ICON: MAX SCHAAF

03 Oct FROM VERT LEGEND TO CHOPPER ICON: MAX SCHAAF

Max Schaaf has been a household name in professional skateboarding for over 30 years, carving out a unique path in the world of vert skating. Growing up in Oakland, CA, Max spent countless hours honing his craft on a vert ramp inside a warehouse rented by his mother, Ramona. This isolated practice space allowed Max to develop a distinctive style and become a formidable force in the skateboarding scene. His hard work soon paid off when he became involved in the early days of Real Skateboards, a brand founded by skate legends Tommy Guerrero and Jim Thiebaud.

Max Schaaf’s skateboarding career has spanned more than two decades, during which he established himself as a respected figure in the sport. But as his passion for skateboarding continued, he developed another love: building chopper motorcycles. Just as he had done with skateboarding, Max approached motorcycle building with focus and intensity. His dedication and craftsmanship earned him a solid reputation in the chopper community, where he’s known for creating high-quality, one-of-a-kind bikes.

Today, Max continues to pursue both skateboarding and chopper building with equal passion. He runs 4Q Conditioning in Oakland, a workshop where he spends his days working at his own pace, covered in grease and dog hair, building world-renowned motorcycles. Whether he’s dropping into a vert ramp or putting the finishing touches on a chopper, Max Schaaf is a true testament to pursuing one’s passions fully. His journey from skateboarding icon to respected chopper builder shows that Max has never been one to follow trends—he sets them.