Craig Westfall, a high school technology teacher from Buffalo, NY, built one tough-looking Evo for the 2024 Biltwell People’s Champ. While his entry didn’t win the $10,000 top prize, it definitely made waves in the custom motorcycle community as a People’s Champ finalist because of its attention to detail and overall style.  

By day, Craig educates young minds, but by night, he’s fully immersed in custom bike building, especially when your project will be on the world’s stage as a People’s Champ finalist at Cook’s Corner Bar the Friday of Born-Free in California. It’s clear that the result shows Craig’s pursuit of combining his passion for mechanics, artistry, and the thrill of the open road. 

When setting out on this project, Craig had a clear vision: he wanted to build a bike that was fast, simple, reliable, and something he would love to ride. “I didn’t reinvent the wheel,” Craig notes. “I just wanted to build a bike I would actually ride.” This practical approach is reflected in the bike’s sleek design and functionality, but it’s Craig’s personal touch that sets it apart. 

The build features several custom, one-off parts, all crafted by Craig himself. Among these are the sissy bar/tail light, rotors, gas tank panels, exhaust, and gas tank. These parts represent hundreds of hours of meticulous work, and the results speak for themselves. The bike’s clean lines and carefully selected details reveal not just technical skill but a deep love for the craft. Craig’s favorite part of the bike? “The time and effort it took to make those one-off parts really paid off in the end,” he says with pride.  

However, building a show-worthy bike like this wasn’t without its challenges. Time management, tight deadlines, and balancing daily life with the demands of the build presented constant hurdles. With only 10 months to create a fully functional show bike, the pressure was immense. Craig knew he couldn’t cut corners, especially with so many people following his progress. “You’ve got people watching you, so you want to do the best job you can,” he reflects. The result? A bike that not only looks stunning but rides just as well. 

Throughout the process, Craig honed his skills, particularly in tig welding and fabrication. Using his 1930’s South Bend lathe became a regular part of the process, although he had to outsource some of the machining, which led to valuable lessons in CAD. The experience left him with a refined set of skills and a bike he could be proud of. “It rides great,” he beams. “I can’t believe how light and nimble it is. It feels like it weighs 400 lbs.” 

Craig is quick to acknowledge the support of those around him, from fellow builders to friends and sponsors and would like to thank Ben Jeff for the frame, Baker Drivetrain for the transmission, and Morris Magneto, among others. But special gratitude goes to his girlfriend, Noelle, whose patience and understanding throughout the project made the long hours and late nights possible.  

In the end, Craig’s build is more than just a show bike—it’s a testament to his hard work, craftsmanship, and the community that supported him along the way. As for the Biltwell People’s Champ, Craig is grateful for the platform and the recognition it brings to builders like him, keeping the spirit of custom motorcycle building alive and thriving. HB