Custom Motorcycle Builders Support Industry at Flying Piston Benefit
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip hosts to benefit U.S. Veterans & Tech Education
Buffalo Chip, SD (Sept. 4, 2018) – The 4th annual Flying Piston Benefit Builders Breakfast hit its stride on Sunday, August 5th welcoming a first-ever presenting sponsor, Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, and unveiling the Strider Custom program.
Custom builders and industry celebs joined with fans and influencers for the event, held to benefit technical education scholarships and Motorcycle Missions, a 501(c) 3 assisting veterans suffering with PTSD. The breakfast featured motorcycle builders whose work was displayed in the Buffalo Chip’s prestigious Motorcycles As Art exhibition, curated by famed moto-photographer Michael Lichter.
New this year, organizers partnered with balance bicycle company Strider Sports, Int’l. and top-name custom motorcycle builders to unveil seven Strider Rider Customs. Rick Fairless, Paul Yaffe, Jody Perewitz, Pat Patterson, Kirk Taylor and Bryan Fuller joined the Motorcycle Missions build crew in customizing tiny 12” Strider bicycles, each with their own theme. The tiny bikes are now on tour to motorcycle events and Strider races before being auctioned in advance of the 2019 class reveal at the Flying Piston Breakfast in August 2019.
Ticket holders also enjoyed a catered breakfast and silent auction of distinctive items from Kicker Audio, Biltwell, Revere Seats, CruzTools, The Quarto Group, Kuryakyn, Nash Motorcycles, Klock Werks, Howard Knight, Working Man Customs, The Leatherworks, S&S Cycle, Simpson Helmets, Kirsh Helmets, Mark V., Loaded Gun’s Kevin Dunworth and more. Items included a Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210MP, artwork by Makoto Endo, and original sculpture by Bikernet.com’s Keith Ball. Attendees also met the Chip’s own Rod “Woody” Woodruff, Photographer Michael Lichter, Billy Lane, Cycle Source Editor Chris Callen, Jeff Holt and other special guests.
The event, organized by The Flying Piston, takes place the first Sunday of the Sturgis Rally on the upper decks of the Big Engine Bar in the free-access CrossRoads at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. Material support comes from presenting sponsor Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, along with Strider Sports Int’l, Steve’s Garage, Kirsh Helmets and Lincoln Electric.
About The Sturgis Buffalo Chip: The Sturgis Buffalo Chip celebrated its 37th year as the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling™. It is the world’s first and leading entertainment destination for the motorcycle enthusiast. Established in 1981, the venue’s high-profile, nine-day festival, known as The Best Party Anywhere™, remains one of the world’s most televised and longest running independent music festivals. Buffalo Chip guests have the freedom to party and play while experiencing world-class concerts, outrageous events, moving freedom celebrations, thrilling PowerSports and more. The Chip’s concerts are free with camping. More details at www.BuffaloChip.com.
About Motorcycles as Art: Every year the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Motorcycles as Art exhibition presents a changing conceptual theme that brings together the most innovative collection of groundbreaking custom bikes from today’s premier builders with artwork from moto-artists. Curated by photographer Michael Lichter, the exhibit is free to the public and open from 2 to 10 p.m. daily during rally week. www.buffalochip.com/EVENTS/Motorcycles-As-Art
About The Flying Piston: The Flying Piston Charity Breakfasts are produced by Marilyn Stemp of Iron Trader News and Jeff Najar of Biker Pros to assist in raising awareness and funds for non-profits and individuals in the biker community. Proceeds benefit Motorcycle Missions, a non-profit that encourages U.S. military veterans suffering from PTSD to pursue motorcycling as a career, and technical education scholarships.
For sponsor or media information or to donate auction items, contact: Marilyn Stemp, 828-205-8482, marilynstemp@gmail.com, www.theflyingpiston.com or www.Facebook.com/The-Flying-Piston.
PHOTO CREDITS: Group photo by Sean Lichter; Strider Combined compliments of Strider; all others by Jack McInytre.