General Dogon’s custom bikes at the Skid Row History Museum and Archive

Activist General Dogon builds custom bikes as a way of drawing attention when he is canvassing Skid Row for the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN). Seen here: ‘Homeless Mobile,’ a vintage Western Flyer with fur-covered seat and metal flake orange paint.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 1, 2015 7:49 AM PT

General Dogon is a Skid Row activist who also makes custom bikes that he often employs as canvassing tools. These fanciful designs include everything from splashy paint to fake fur and are on view at the Skid Row History Museum and Archive.

A pair of fur-covered saddlebags on the model called the ‘Peewee Herman.’ The bike is named in honor of LA CAN founder Pete White, who goes by the nickname ‘Peewee.’

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Peewee Herman model is decorated with a Peewee Herman doll. Dogon also adds elements such as small motors and special wheels to the bicycles, which draw a lot of attention when he rides them on the street.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A sleek mirror and twisted chrome handlebars add a touch of flash to the Dunlop bicycle that Dogon has christened the ‘Peewee Herman.’ The artist and activist has spent much of his life in downtown Los Angeles and the area around Skid Row.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Dogon recently acquired this chopper motorcycle, to which he added ‘Batman’ design flourishes. The show of his bikes is on display at the Skid Row History Museum and Archive.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Dogon chats with John Malpede, founder of the Los Angeles Poverty Department, which manages the Skid Row History Museum and Archive. The museum’s mission is to tell the story of Skid Row and the residents of downtown.

(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)