Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Partners with Leading Businesses and Technical Education to Help Build an Industry Perfect for South Dakota

Sturgis, SD (January 10, 2012) Today, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip kicked off the 3rd annual Buffalo Chip Challenge™, a motorcycle build project designed to encourage Western Dakota Tech’s Welding, Manufacturing and Collision Repair students to get more involved with the motorcycle industry.  The Sturgis Buffalo Chip, along with leading industry businesses, including Black Hills Harley-Davidson, Terry Components and Hot Leathers want to give these students real-world experience while promoting economic development in the state of South Dakota. 

The program is designed to challenge students to develop skills and knowledge they can use to enhance their employability upon graduation.  Students will learn the techniques used to fabricate, customize and finish a stock Road King graciously donated by Black Hills Harley-Davidson.  Also, world-class parts will be donated for the build by Corbin Seats, Dakota Digital, Inc., Dakota V-Twin, Dimension Custom Paint & Body, Hawg Halters, Inc., K & G Cycles, LLC, Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, Legend Air Suspension, RC Components, Inc. and Sinister Industries.
 
“The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is proud to champion programs that provide students with expanded opportunities in the motorcycle industry.  Our goal is to provide these students with the skills they need to become great technicians in the South Dakota workforce,” said Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip.

Students participating in the Buffalo Chip Challenge will not only have the advantage of state-of-the-art facilities, a new motorcycle and world-class parts for the build, they will have the dedicated support and experience of a motorcycle industry veteran, Keith Terry of Terry Components.  Terry has run a successful motorcycle aftermarket business for more than three decades and is part of a growing number of business owners who have moved their operations to western South Dakota.
 
“This dynamic partnership between business and technical education has been a huge success due to the collective efforts of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and leading motorcycle industry businesses.  We know our students are up for the challenge of building another world-class custom bike alongside Keith Terry.  We look forward to the debut of the finished bike at our graduation ceremony in early May,” said Dr. Craig Bailey, WDT president.

The finished Buffalo Chip Challenge motorcycle will be auctioned to help sponsor the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s annual Legends Ride, which has given more than $200,000 to local Black Hills charities in just four years.
 
The public is invited to follow the build online at Facebook, where pictures and video content of the Buffalo Chip Challenge will be published.     

2024 Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Pre-Rally Party Jul. 29–Aug. 1
Concerts Aug. 2–Aug. 11

2025 Sturgis Buffalo Chip

Pre-Rally Party Jul. 28–Jul. 31
Concerts Aug. 1–Aug. 10

Contact Us

Cody Ertman
[email protected]
Office: 605-347-9000