UPDATED 12/4/23: The Biltwell People’s Champ finalists have been selected and the six skillful gents will bring their final builds to California to take part in the People’s Champ finalist’s festivities, where they ride their new creations from Biltwell HQ in Temecula toward Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon to have their bikes displayed on Friday June 21, 2024. Keep an eye out on these talented builds as we’ll update you all as progress is made.

These are the original 14 semi-finalists from the original article below. Take a look at who made the cut and who didn’t. Best of luck to the finalists. Godspeed, boys. And to the semi-finalists who didn’t make this year’s cut, keep going! There’s always next year! Great work, everyone.

Every year we look forward to the Biltwell People’s Champ because it showcases some top tier talent from around the globe in a one-of-a-kind custom bike build-off. The Biltwell crew does a stellar job selecting builders and running the event, which lasts pretty much the whole year leading up to the event, and the cool part of it as that the six finalists are chosen by YOU! And all that is happening right now, so go HERE to cast your vote!

If you aren’t familiar with the Biltwell People’s Champ competition, it’s basically a contest for up-and-coming builders to test their mettle by building a custom motorcycle of their own that they’ll bring to California to be judged on the eve of the Born-Free Motorcycle Show at the legendary Cook’s Corner Bar in Silverado, California. The winner-takes-all event hands over a fat, $10,000 to the winner. We have our favorites, but there are 14 semi-finalists below, each with their own flavor. Head over to the Biltwell People’s Champ page, check out the schedule and follow the competition as the winner will be crowned on June 21, 2024.

JOE ZITO

• Instagram: @zeeetow
• Location: Gloucester City, New Jersey
• Bike Year / Motor: 1969 / Triumph Bonneville

Biltwell: What have you done?

Joe Zito: Modified frame using a ‘59 rear half and ‘69 front half. Fork is 4” over ‘65 BSA. Built wheels – 19” rear to chromed Triumph hub/brake & 21” front to Hallcraft spool. Rebuilt motor/trans (stock internals), Modified ‘69 oil tank to fit. Modified tunnel of Wassell banana fuel tank to fit frame. Fabricated sissybar to fit swingarm frame & brace seat/fender. Many parts show chromed & polished. Frame is powdercoated and sheet metal painted to match but with metallic base, pearl flames with metallic silver pin striping. Batteryless ignition with lighting coil and CDI.

BW: What do you have left to do?

JZ: Nothing. Bike is complete.

BW: Any problems so far?

JZ: Nothing too crazy. Had to swap out the clutch and do a little carb tuning to get it running best with the pipes and velocity stacks. Couple small leaks here and there but overall I’m really happy with how it runs and rides.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

JZ: I really like how the motor looks with the polished top end and covers. The pipes and velocity stacks on the polished carbs really look wild in the sun.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

JZ: At the end, everyone ends up with a killer bike they can be proud of and some new friends.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

JZ: John at J & M for the wild p-coat and parts, Dave at Classic Cycles for parts, Pete for the paint, Superchrome for the chrome and polishing, Randy for the engine machining, Andy of Pangea for the inspiration to get involved and to finish this bike after draggin’ ass for 5 years on it. Also most importantly my wife Michelle for always being supportive of all my motorcycle related adventures.

NICK TURNER

• Instagram: @superiorvintageiron
• Location: San Jose, California
• Bike Year / Motor: 1955 / Panhead

Biltwell: What have you done?

NT: Have completed the majority of the fabrication. Transmission and primary are fully done. Front end and headlight mount is complete. Basically the rolling chassis with a couple of odds and ends left.

BW: What do you have left to do?

NT: Finish the engine, final weld and polish fabricated parts. Send parts out for chrome plating. Body work and paint.

BW: Any problems so far?

NT: Biggest issue I have encountered is knowing when to say enough. Machining twisted square bar is not fun, so that’s been a challenge.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

NT: Sissy bar and the exhaust.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

NT: I like the fact that it’s a challenge to get a bike done with other folks competing around the world. Amazing to think how choppers are a worldwide thing. Loving that this year is really all about choppers.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

NT: Kayson, Mikey, Alex, Big Mike, Tony, and Biltwell for keeping this going.

ANDY MARTIN

• Instagram: @Andrewcjm
• Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
• Bike Year / Motor: 1948 / Panhead

Biltwell: What have you done?

Andy Martin: I built this bike entirely from parts that I collected over a few years. It’s taken a while, overall 15 months to build and clocking close to 600 hours. I tackled all the sheet metal molding work on the frame (fins, plating the neck in etc) once I had collected all of the big parts, and started making the front brake plate. I got the front end all dialed in with the new fork lowers and longer tubes, shaved the trees and made the headlight bracket for the Bates headlight. Once that was all done I put it into a roller with the wheels I’d built up. I made hidden mounts on the gas tank, and fabricated the scoop and molding so it had a cohesive flow with the frame. I also relocated the petcock bung. I decided to take a front fender off my FLH, and sectioned and radiused it to suit the 18” rear wheel. I made the scoop in the rear fender which houses the taillights from HypnicJerk in Australia, and rolled tube to run all the wiring internally. I moved onto fabricating the fender struts, top motor mount, foot-clutch bracket, oil lines, license plate mount, foot clutch chain, carb support, seat mounts for the River seat and pillion, and the “coil-bag” mount which hides the battery, fuse block and coil all within the oil-tank.

The last big job was making the exhausts. I wanted something simple so I went for upsweeps but kept the top pipe really high with a subtle splay outward between them which isn’t very obvious. I made the rear mounts for these with the spikey chain which features on a few other parts of the bike.Once it was torn down I welded everything out and did the prep and body work, which was weeks worth of sanding after hours. I had a local friend Dave at ABFX lay down the top coat which I couldn’t be more stoked with, and once everything was back, the bike was wired and assembled to what you see now.

BW: What do you have left to do?

AM: Honestly not too much because the re-assembly is all done. At the moment I’m battling some intake leak issues due to stripped threads in the intake spigots, so the heads will be coming off to get those fixed up properly. Then it’s time for the first start, heat cycle the motor, and the first ride which I’m excited for. Hopefully I’ll be able to ride it out for a first beer very soon! If I make top 6, the bike will have to be in a shipping container leaving New Zealand in February/March to make the show, so I’ll have a few months to get everything sorted before the long trip to the US.

BW: Any problems so far?

AM: Quite a few! Not so many during the fab stages, but welding out all the frame molding pulled the seat post and caused the rear head to foul at re-assembly and of course I didn’t catch this until after paint. The fix was easy enough but did some pretty heavy damage to the fresh paint trying to get the motor in. Also had a ton of issues with the polishing for chrome and had to re-plate 50% of the chrome and remake some parts so that was an absolute nightmare.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

AM: Hard to pick just one but it would probably be the overall balance of the bike, it looks “right” to my eye. My favourite parts on the bike would have to be the spikey chain clutch linkage, top motor mount and exhaust mounts, the front brake and of course the paint job.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

AM: Probably having such a big platform to show what we get up to way down in New Zealand. It’s such a small community of people here that build choppers and the support from everyone in NZ and across the world has been unreal!

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

AM: StraightlegSteve, TattoosByJack, DeanIngram, the Bay Choppers crew, my beautiful partner Geo for the photography and support throughout the build, and Dave at ABFX for the incredible paintwork. All the makers and companies who create the awesome parts that go into these bikes: Alley choppers, HypnicjerkCustoms, Wretchedhive, Pangea Speed, Lowbrowcustoms, and ThrottleAddiction. Lastly but very importantly, my dog Wolf for always chilling at my side while I’m working away in the garage.

ZACH HASTINGS

• Instagram: @_zachhastings_
• Location: Phoenix, Arizona
• Bike Year / Motor: Evolution

Biltwell: What have you done?

Zach Hastings: I built the frame about 80% from scratch the only thing I reused was the engine cradle from a shovelhead frame. I also bored a set of 39 mm trees to accept 41mm forks tubes, and shaved the fork legs as well. I made the sissy bar out of stainless steel, as well as the handlebars and exhaust. Most recently I have been working on making an oil tank.

BW: What do you have left to do?

ZH: I still have some more fabrication to do, finish up the oil tank, make foot controls and a few other things before it’s ready to get taken apart for paint and polish. I am planning on painting the bike myself.

BW: Any problems so far?

ZH: No

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

ZH: I’d have to say the sissy bar so far, I’m happy with how it turned out and it was fun to make.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

ZH: The competition has been great so far, I think more than anything I like how it has kept me motivated and pushed me to try some new ideas.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

ZH: My wife, lily for being so supportive of me. And my boss Justin for answering all my questions and allowing me to use the shop to build this bike.

JOOST “JOE” GAZENDAM

• Instagram: @el_lobo_cycles
• Location: Copdock, United Kingdom
• Bike Year / Motor: 2023 / 1979 Speed&Science Shovel

Biltwell: What have you done?

Joost Gazendam: Pulled my hairs out, cursed the gods of stainless and burned the midnight oil few times. But I have almost finished the bike, which is good, because if it makes it to the final, then shipping from the UK to California is going to take some time. I am proud to say that 95% of the bike has been build with custom parts, and almost nothing is off-the-shelf-bolt-on stuff.

Below you find what has been done, with the ‘ELC’ connotation referring to design, work, and fabrication that was done in-house.

Frame & Bits: ~ ELC: stainless steel Shovel/Pan frame

~ ELC: stainless steel lowering swingarm

~ ELC: aluminium oil-tank, integrated battery-box, rubber hung

~ ELC: Tokyo/Frisco style tank

Engine: ~ ELC: Engine build: – 1979 Shove cases

– Speed&Science big bore 3-5/8” cylinders,

– Speed&Science heads and rocker boxes

– EV27 Andrew Cam

– S&S Evo Lifter blocks, tappets,roller rockers

– S&S Big Bore pistons

– Morris Magneto/FNA

For all the obvious reasons, this was not just a bolt together job. The cases had to be bored to accept the big bore cylinders. The cylinders had to be bored and honed, and as this is a standard stroke, the base plate had to trimmed by 5.7mm. Last but not least, the crank was trued. All if the work was done in-house.

Trans: ~ Baker 6-in-4

Drive: ~ Tech Cycles primary chain drive – modified to work on this bike

~ BDL clutch-pack

Front-End: ~ fork legs: ELC – shaved and custom made aluminium dust caps

~ triples: ELC – designed-machined after IL triple trees, narrow.

~ risers: ELC – designed-machined brass risers after IL risers.

~ handlebars: ELC – 11” stainless bars

ELC – integrated brake/throttle lines for clean look

– internal throttle by Mueller

– hydraulic controls by K-tech

– grips by Biltwell

~ headlight: ELC – aluminium, 4-1/2” headlight

Wheels: ~ front: ELC – stainless laced 21”- 2.15

~ rear: ELC – stainless laced16”- 5.00

~ Shinko rubber in front, Avon in the rear

The rest: ~ ELC – stainless steel forward controls with ISR master cylinder

~ ELC – brass footage and shifter

~ ELC – stainless floating rear calliper bracket

~ ELC – stainless fender struts

~ ELC – stainless front, rear and swing-arm axle

~ ELC – stainless top and bottom shock mount

~ ELC – seat-pan,tolling done by good friend Jun Takakuda

~ ELC – stainless steel seat hinge with brass slider bushings

~ ELC – stainless steel 2-in-1 exhaust with cone muffler

~ ELC – top engine mount and carb stabilising bracket

~ PM brake callipers and EBC floating brake rotors

~ Kellerman mini rear lights

BW: What do you have left to do?

JG: I still need to fabricate an oil-filter mount and put the lines in. And then there are a bunch of fasteners that I want to replace by 12 points. And then I want to put some miles on it to see if anything breaks, as I don’t want that to happen in California, if I am lucky enough to make it to the final 6.

BW: Any problems so far?

JG: Of course, that is part and parcel of building a bike like this. A lot of small challenges, like getting the domes on the side of the oil tanks done right. I thought I could press the aluminium into shape, made a really nice jig, only to find out it didn’t work. That was 5 days of work I never get back. Another one …. taking out the chain slap for the primary chain, without the ability to move the transmission (tight in the frame), and not wanting to compromise looks with a tensioner.

And then there was the general issue of working with stainless, as this is a different beast. From welding up the frame and making sure it stayed straight, to machining all the parts out of this drill-bit-eating-tool-destroying material.

But in general I can’t complain. The build actually went relative smooth and there were no issues that compromised the quality or look I was going for. That being said, it can still go horribly wrong on the first ride …….. but I’ll keep you posted, hahaha.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

JG: To be honest, mostly the complete picture of the bike. It looks like a ‘standard’ shovel-head that was chopped, but in reality just about all parts are hand-made. But when you start taking in the details, you start picking up on all these unique parts.

If I had to pick one part though, it would be the swingarm ‘casting’ that had to be designed in order to even contemplate building this bike. It is not a casting that anyone makes, and CAD designing it and getting is milled is something I am particularly proud of. Most people who look at the bike won’t see it, as it blends into the bike and resembles the original part, but I think it highlights that you can incorporate modern engineering and machining while maintaining the feel of the original design.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

JG: What I like about this competition is that is shows that it doesn’t matter whether you are a builder from France, New Zealand, California, Pennsylvania or the UK, there is this common mutation we have on our DNA to build and chop bikes. It has been very cool to see the other guys build their bikes and I have had the pleasure to talk to a few of them, and I think I speak for all of them when I say that their primary goal is to do justice to the bike and the build, and the competitive aspect comes second.

For me, I have simply enjoyed building this bike. It has been hunting me in my dreams for years, but I never had the means to build it. I am very happy with the bike, and would love to ride it to the final in California.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

JG: For starters, to the Biltwell crew for having this competition and to my fellow builders, who all put their hearts and souls in their builds. And then there are there are the manufacturers of high quality parts that we all depend on, like CT Newman, Baker, BDL, Speed and Science, Hardtail Choppers, Tech Cycle, S&S, PM and many others.

But mostly I want to thank George, my shop-partner, who had my back during all stages of this build. A rock-solid guy.

Jeff Cochran for being a great source of inspiration and allowing me to use some parts of his design.

And let’s not forget all the local guys (Paul, Paul, Matt, Aaron, Alasdair, Duncan, Neal, Luke, Jun) here in England who elevated the craftsmanship on this build.

CRAIG WESTFALL

• Instagram: @barnfiend
• Location: Buffalo, New York
• Bike Year / Motor: 1990 / Mild build 80″ Evo with Racedyne heads and a Morris magneto

Biltwell: What have you done?

Craig Westfall: I will be honest in admitting that I entered this competition at the behest of my friends and jumped head first into it with very little direction. 8 weeks ago, I had only a frame, rear wheel, transmission and a dream. I work a full-time job not involving motorcycles, and I just moved into a huge 1870’s farmhouse and am still in the midst of settling in, so time is a commodity. I’ve tried to set aside an hour a night after dinner to chip away at the build. In that timeframe, I was able to source a magneto, some custom rocker boxes, front wheel (that matched my rear wheel), vintage spun aluminum oil tank, hand controls, an engine, and front end/brake components. The rear wheel was formerly a dual disc front wheel so I had to machine the hub to accept 3/8″ bolts to fit the sprocket. I shaved the fork lowers, extended an old set of oem cast risers, and assembled everything to the point you see it today.

BW: What do you have left to do?

CW: Oh man, where do I start??!! All of the major fabrication is complete but there is still a lot to be done. Next week I am going to disassemble the engine and split the cases, vapor blast everything and rebuid with the best components that I can afford to ensure reliability and longevity. I plan on riding the hell out of this thing! I also plan on making a custom 2-1 stainless exhaust. The paint job will embody a rugged ’90s aesthetic to match the aluminum CCI wheels and performance components found on bikes of this era.

BW: Any problems so far?

CW: My original plan for this bike was to use this generator shovel engine I’d had sitting around for a few years as the heart of the drivetrain. I bought it a few years ago from some local dude who was recovering from a stab wound in his abdomen due to a drug deal gone bad. That alone should have been an indicator as to what I was getting myself into, but I bought it anyway, and there it sat on a shelf collecting dust for years. When I got accepted for People’s Champ, I envisioned using this generator shovel engine. However, upon inspection, I discovered several issues and missing parts. Considering the time constraints of People’s Champ, I opted to abandon the shovel motor idea and pursue building the evo chopper I’ve always envisioned. Thankfully my buddy Tim Statt had an evo softail basket case collecting dust that he let me buy for a fair price, even delivered it!

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far? My favorite part of the bike is the fact that it’s a single loop framed, mag driven, kick-only EVO, baby! This thing also looks like it can kick the ass of any other bike I own, so I love that about it!

CW: Favorite part of the competition? My favorite part of this competition is the hustle it gave me to spend my time constructively. I’ve also really been really enjoying the “social” aspect of this competition; shooting ideas off of others, getting constructive criticism, making goofy videos…. Beyond that, it’s also pushing me to expand my skillset in the shop. I’m really enjoying this whole process and hope that the party continues all the way into June!

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

CW: I want to thank @benjeff for the single loop Intruder frame and kicker pedal, @sickcycles_al for the front wheel, @Gigastatt for the engine, @ctnewman for the tech support, @lowbrowcustoms for the fab parts, @morrismagneto and @fnacustomcycles for the deal on the MM74L, Wayne @1wreck1many for donating the Racedyne rocker boxes, Chris @spokeanddaggerco for the custom rotors and @silvernaut.shop for the unwavering support

Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to my dear friend Charlie Brenon, for allowing me to acquire his estate before his passing in September of 2023. Charlie was a life long biker and a chopper builder dating back to the late 60’s. I’m sad to say that he didn’t get to see me finish this bike but I know he would be stoked on it. Love ya, buddy.

SHAI MALKA

• Instagram: @shais_garage
• Location: Encino, California
• Bike Year / Motor: 1947 / Knucklehead FL

Biltwell: What have you done?

Shai Malka: In the last few months I’ve been tackling little things on the roller and figuring out exactly what I want this thing to look like really and how not to go overboard and stay timeless! I don’t really like switching up the bikes I build so a lot of thought and imagination goes into them before hand. Trying to put my touch on a lot of little details and fab as much in house as possible. Ordered all the new parts needed for the motor and trans rebuild and squared away all the finishes for it as well! Sometimes building choppers is driving around to the chromer, blaster, hardware store etc. A lot of the parts I made for this bike have been the first I’ve ever made including the handle bars and the sissy bar! The tank turned out to be a happy accident and I ended up scooting it back and mounting it underneath for a floating look! I have some wild ideas but we’ll see if they come to life!

BW: What do you have left to do?

SM: Once I get the drivetrain back it will be go time to button up the fab work and finish the bike unpainted! I want to definitely do something to the rear fender but not quite sure what although if I follow through with that wild idea could be killer! It will come to me. There’s a handful to do even after but I am excited and can’t wait to move forward. Im excited to wrap up the 2-4 atlas pipes with the headers I want to use and make the foot controls! I have some cool ideas but I haven’t gotten to mock up the motor quite yet! Baby steps tho, little by little and should be a bitchen chopper!

BW: Any problems so far?

SM: I smoke 2 joints in the morning

I smoke two joints at night

I smoke two more in the afternoon

It make me feel all right!

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

SM: The whole bike is pretty damn cool it’s got that timeless recipe but sticks out to me as unique and different in a sea of similar bikes! If I had to choose though I’d probably say the handlebars are more or less what I decided to build the entire bike around so that would take it right there!

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

SM: Not going to lie because it’s going to be in the show I decided to push myself outside the boundaries a little bit and even though everything’s been done if it’s new to me or it’s something I haven’t done yet that’s what keeps me going! So I am hyped to be a part of the selected invited people’s champ build and do something wild for me!

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

SM: Shout out to anyone showing even the slightest amount of love it doesn’t get over looked and motivates me greatly and I appreciate you! My girlfriend, my family and my friends and my longest homie my African grey Momo! One time for the San Fernando Valley! Roots run deep this way and I’m stoked to be doing the damn thing where they once did long time ago!

RYAN MCQUISTON

• Instagram: @whiterabbitmcquiston
• Location: Long Beach, California
• Bike Year / Motor: 1951 / HD 45” G series

Biltwell: What have you done?

Ryan Mcquiston: Built the Frame Handlebars Sissybar got everything mounted still some final adjustments needed but we are getting close……

BW: What do you have left to do?

RM: Need to make oiltank, adjuster for my 3 speed/ bottom fender mount finish exhaust and some more finish work before chrome wiring and paint

BW: Any problems so far?

RM: Had couple clearance issues here and there no huge catastrophic break downs the usual pain in the ass stuff

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

RM: Handlebars & frame pretty proud of the frame and bars learned some cool new tricks along the way been practicing my torch brazing seems to be getting better I guess depends on what day it is lol

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

RM: Trying to build a bike from scratch in time allowed keeps it interesting as far as time management not to mention running shop and keeping up with all my customers makes for some added fun…. Wouldn’t have it any other way pretty stoked and thankful to just be involved in this show this far ….

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

RM: Huge shout out to Biltwell peoples champ Bornfree show and all the other sponsors that put these shows on Thank you for having a place to showcase our skills and custom builds in Front of like minded people among the custom motorcycle world.

HARRISON BROOKS

• Instagram: @six206
• Location: Lubbock, Texas
• Bike Year / Motor: 2000 / 113″ Supercharged S&S Evo

Biltwell: What have you done?

Harrison Brooks: Everything. Started off with building a frame utilizing some drag style axle plates and steering neck I designed and had CNCd in house. Frame is 4″ up, no stretch and 1″ drop in the rear with a 30 degree rake to get that classic wedge profile. Fabricated tubular front motor mounts for that 113″ supercharged Evo. After getting it set on some 13 spoke HD mags started sketching out some ideas for the tins. Made a fender/seat combo to fit with the whole drag feel of the bike. Made some templates to fit an oil tank around the transmission and shaped a gas tank with a recessed scallop in the top. I’ve always likes the look of a mini faring but didn’t want to use a plastic of fiberglass piece so I built one out of sheetmetal to fit the screen off an existing one. Built a set stainless drag pipes to fit around that supercharger. Made some drag bars set up with an internal throttle. I’m sure I’m leaving something off the list but the gist is everything is scratch built.

BW: What do you have left to do?

HB: There’s a lot left do. Currently working on designing a lot of CNC parts like rocker boxes, headlight, taillight, risers and mid-controls. Paint and bodywork will be the biggest thing left to do.

BW: Any problems so far?

HB: No major problems so far aside from time, or lack thereof. Approaching a build with a clear goal in mind really helps so you’re not just completely free-styling it along the way. Time is always a huge concern so planning out everything makes it all go together faster.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

HB: It’s all pretty rad to me so far but if I had to choose it would be the faring. Its a small piece but a really complex shape to make so it really pushed my skills.

BW: Favorite part of the competition? Favorite part of this competition so far is being able to see what everyone else is doing and the engagement between builders. At the end of the day this is a competition and seeing the progress of the other builders really makes me want to push my skill set as a builder.

HB: Want to give any shout outs? Everyone at Rev Limit Customs, All Axis Industries and Cooks Garage for all the help and support.

ANTHONY LEPINE

• Instagram: @Unicorn_flakes_vintagechoppers
• Location: Angers, France
• Bike Year / Motor: 1937 / Big Twin Flathead

Biltwell: What have you done?
Anthony Lepine: I did the molding on a repro 37 frame adapted a 33.4mm fork to give it the crushed and tapered line, I polished the engine and the gearbox so that they were full chrome as well as painted my cylinders and breech. the beginning of the exhausts is done and the bottom of the saddle too. The frame is ready to paint. I cast an upper fork crown in aluminum which I still need to fine-tune.

BW: What do you have left to do?
AL: I still have a lot of things to do but the result is already not bad. The complete painting of the frame (vintage purple) re-trail the fork tube covers. cast aluminum front light, oil pan, primary housing, fender mount and footrest. I have to make foot controls, riser and handlebars and finish the exhausts restore the magneto

BW: Any problems so far?

AL: No problem for the moment…

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

AL: All frame (with fender and gastank)

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

AL: Aluminum foundry’s

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

AL: All my sponsors who support me… W&W cycle, spokesman (for the wheels), restom and alp diffusion, vg frame, motorcyclestorehouse, Emmastokesproduct (for the seat) My friend geert who rebuild motor and transmission, The hook up chopper show

DEREK SAVAGE

• Instagram: @_dereksavage
• Location: Haverhill, Massachusetts
• Bike Year / Motor: 1939 / Knucklehead

Biltwell: What have you done?

Derek Savage: Made exhaust pipes, handlebar riser, matching fishscale oil tank, foot pegs and shifter, scalloped gas tank, sissy bar, modified fender with pointed/flipped devils tail thing

BW: What do you have left to do?

DS: Paint and chrome, clean up the engine and put the bike back together.

BW: Any problems so far?
DS: Any of the sheetmetal work i did was definitely troublesome! and trying to keep the ball rolling so i had something to update with every week.

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?
DS: The oil tank

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

DS: Watching everyone do their thing, it adds a lot of fuel to my fire to get in the garage and do something when I’m seeing all of the cool stuff everyone puts out every week.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?
DS: All of my family and friends, and anyone who has shared, reposted etc. any of my stuff during this.

MATT GRUENHAGEN

• Instagram: @mattgruenhagen
• Location: Delano, Minnesota
• Bike Year / Motor: 1950 / Panhead

Biltwell: What have you done?

Matt Gruenhagen: Got the motor and tranny all done both are completely fresh and gone threw. Molded the frame and painted it also. I have pretty much the bike mocked up the way I want it. Also had some Stuff chromed already.

BW: What do you have left to do?

MG: A lot. Still have to finish my tin set plan on doing molding on them. Springer needs to get rebuilt and refinished. Still have to pin stripe the frame. Also want to make mid controls. Send more stuff off to chrome. Wire the bike.

BW: Any problems so far?

MG: Not too many so far. Some of the piece didn’t want to fit after chrome so thats some hand fitting. Sanding the body filler was a lot of work not a problem but a pain. Hahah

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

MG: The frame and molding. This is the first time I have done paint on a bike. I have a good mentor to learn from tho so that helps. Looking forward to future. learning on more painting

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

MG: Having a timeline. Actually makes you motivated to go out in the garage and work. Also cool seeing all the other builders talent out there

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

MG: Lowbrow customs, dennis kirk, throttle addiction. My wife and daughter for letting me spend all my time in the shop. Also friends and family for the help.

TONY MEDELLIN

• Instagram: @tony_medellintattoo
• Location: Reno, Nevada
• Bike Year / Motor: 1940 / Harley Davidson knucklehead

Biltwell: What have you done?

Tony Medellin: Everything is sitting in a bull neck frame that I still have to mold. Lowbrow split tanks with mounts changed to better fit the motor. Narrowed sidecar fender for the rear. All metal engraving is done by me as well as I’ll be painting the bike myself. I Used a Paughco parts kit to build my exhaust and found some trumpets Iv been hoarding. Lots of little things will create the big picture.

BW: What do you have left to do?

TM: Still have a lot of new tricks to throw in as well as get the primary engraved and chrome plated. I have a lot of body work I’m excited to start. The springer is oem and will need a full resto. New legs and engraved chevrons before I chrome plate. I have a custom dash that I still need to fit to the tanks with fender guitar lights as my service lights. I could ramble all day on what’s left but for now these are just the basics.

BW: Any problems so far?

TM: None….which means I’m gonna have plenty if I make it to top 6

BW: Favorite part of the bike so far?

TM: Gotta be the direction and stance. Definitely sits exactly how I want it too and can’t wait to get this thing chromed out and painted.

BW: Favorite part of the competition?

TM: The fellow garage builders and seeing what they can accomplish at home with some brews and buddies.

BW: Want to give any shout outs?

TM: Huge shout out to Paughco parts for donating the pieces I need to do the job. I’m lucky enough to have them in my back yard and stoked to show them what I produce. Lowbrow customs for lacing us up with the parts we needed, my boy Cody for helping me get the sheet metal right and being a second set of eyes to make sure my vision doesn’t get lost in the sauce.