The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Custom Series is the largest series of bike shows in the world, featuring 13 unique shows plus one dedicated motorcycle exhibit, Motorcycles As Art.

While the custom machines draw the crowds, it’s the builders, curators, and organizers behind the scenes who make it all happen. This is a look at the people who bring the shows to life — without the spotlight, but with all the passion.

Charlie Humphries of Rider Now Magazine

Charlie Humphries, aka “Mongo,” is founder and editor of Rider Now Magazine, a publication devoted to the motorcycle lifestyle. Based in Baker, Louisiana, he is known for his passion for riding and commitment to showcasing the diverse motorcycle community. Through his work with Rider Now and involvement in events, Charlie plays a vital role in promoting motorcycle culture and connecting riders.

Catch the Bike Show: High Octane Bike Show Official Rally Kickoff Show on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at the free-access Buffalo Chip CrossRoads.

 

Cary Brobeck of Choppers Magazine

 

Cary Brobeck is a driving force in the custom motorcycle world, known for blending culture, storytelling, and community into everything he touches. As Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Choppers Magazine, Cary has built a platform that celebrates the raw spirit of chopper culture while connecting builders, riders, and brands across the country. His background in motorcycle publishing includes time as an Associate Editor for Easyriders and Wrench Magazine, where he helped shape editorial rooted in real riders and authentic experiences.

He is also the co-creator and promoter behind major events like the David Mann Chopper Fest and the Virginia City Roundup, helping bring together thousands of enthusiasts, artists, and industry leaders each year. Beyond publishing and events, Cary is actively shaping the future of the V-twin scene through media, partnerships, and cultural initiatives that bridge heritage with the next generation of riders. He is also leading the charge behind the David Mann Legacy Foundation, an initiative dedicated to preserving and expanding the reach of one of motorcycling’s most iconic artists while introducing his work to new audiences around the world.

Catch the Bike Show & Exhibit: David Mann Chopperfest Sturgis on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 at the Buffalo Chip East Gardens and the MANN MADE Archive Exhibit alongside six hand-picked custom choppers curated by Cary at Motorcycles As Art every day Saturday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

 

Kevin Hannaman of Stoopid Chopper Show

Kevin Hannaman is the driving force behind the Stoopid Chopper Show, a Milwaukee-based grassroots event that celebrates raw, traditional chopper culture, focusing solely on hard-line custom builds without factory cruisers or baggers. The show maintains a laid-back, invitational-style atmosphere that honors builders and the essence of chopper passion.

Catch the Bike Show: School’s Out Chopper Show on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 at the free-access Buffalo Chip CrossRoads.

 

Joe Mielke of Sturgis Custom Cycles

Joe Mielke of Sturgis Custom Cycles, known for hand-forged custom metalwork and metal shaping tools. Joe is a versatile craftsman, mechanic, and show organizer who brings his passion to every aspect of Sturgis. He promotes two major shows and organizes minibike parades and rodeo-style fun at Camp Zero.

Catch the Bike Show: FXR Show & Dyna Mixer on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026 at the CrossRoads.

 

Martian Machine

Martian Machine is a collective of builders and tinkerers specializing in bizarre, one-off customs and mechanical chaos. They celebrate wild homemade oddities, rewarding creativity, personality, and fun with a focus on the unconventional.

Catch the Bike Show: Martian Machine Contraption Show on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026 at Camp Zero.

 

Kenny McClain of Kenny’s House of Horsepower

Kenny’s House of Horsepower specializes in high-performance V-Twin engine builds, restorations, and customizations. Known for meticulous craftsmanship, Kenny McClain and his team are leaders in the V-Twin community and high-performance engine work.

Catch the Bike Show: 6th Annual Evo Entanglement Bike Show on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 at the CrossRoads.

 

Kevin Dunworth of Dunworth Machines

Kevin is a highly respected custom motorcycle builder, engineer, and curator known for pushing the boundaries of modern bike design. As the founder of Dunworth Machines, he creates bespoke, high-end motorcycles that blend advanced engineering with vintage inspiration—often incorporating precision fabrication techniques and performance-driven design into one-of-a-kind builds.

Catch the Bike Show & Exhibit: Global Getdown Bike Show on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 at the CrossRoads and a timeless-meets-modern style motorcycle collection curated by Kevin at Motorcycles As Art every day Saturday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

 

Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs

Pat Patterson is founder of Led Sled Customs, specializing in transforming Harley-Davidson Sportsters into high-performance, unique machines. Known for innovative design and craftsmanship, Pat has a significant influence on the custom Sportster community worldwide.

Catch the Bike Shows: Sportster Showdown™ Bike Show, Party & Dirt Drags on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at Camp Zero and the Bikini Beach Bike Show on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Buffalo Chip’s Bikini Beach.

 

Cait (@Sassy_pantss) of Renegade Babes

Cait is the artist, rider, and free spirit behind Renegade Babes, blending motorcycles, creativity, and adventure into a lifestyle all her own. Known for her custom bikes, bold personality, and passion for empowering women in the moto world, Cait brings a mix of style and authenticity everywhere she rides.

 

Catch the Bike Show: The Biker Belles Women’s Bike Show on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the CrossRoads.

 

Alex Fox of Slyfox Performance

Alex Fox is an American motorcycle builder, performance innovator, and founder of SLYFOX Performance, a brand at the forefront of the modern high-performance Harley-Davidson movement. Known for blending aggressive styling with race-proven engineering, Fox has established himself as a key figure in the evolution of performance bagger culture.

Catch the Bike Show: Pretty Fast Bike Show on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 at the CrossRoads.

Ted Smith of Rat’s Hole

Ted Smith, son of Rat’s Hole founder Karl “Big Daddy Rat” Smith, continues to run the longest-running custom bike show globally. He personally designs and sculpts the unique Rat Awards given at each show

Catch the Bike Show & Exhibit: Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 at the CrossRoads and a private collection of his custom motorcycles and 50 years of motorcycle art curated by Ted at Motorcycles as Art every day Saturday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

 

 

Jason Mook of Deadwood Custom Cycles

Jason Mook builds motorcycles the way a sculptor approaches stone, with total commitment and zero compromise. A decorated U.S. Marine veteran and former SWAT officer, Mook brought the same relentless precision from his military career into the shop. He founded Deadwood Custom Cycles in the heart of the Black Hills, where his 14,000-square-foot facility runs 50 to 90 active projects at any given time, a full fabrication shop humming year-round with eight people who share his standards. 

In 2024, Mook brought the Black Hills Motorcycle Show to Deadwood. His reputation has earned him a seat at some serious tables. He was selected as one of six builders for the S&S Cycle Independence Tour, joining Dave Perewitz, Cory Ness and Billy Lane. That short list says everything about where he stands in the industry. Off the build sheet, he’s donated custom bikes to the Deadwood Police Department and keeps active charity builds running for the community that adopted him.

Catch the Exhibit: “The Best of the Black Hills Six” hand selected customs from the Black Hills Motorcycle Show curated by Jason at Motorcycles as Art  every day through Friday, Aug. 14.

 

Randall Noldge of Cycle Showcase

Randall Noldge, curator of Cycle Showcase, dropped out of art school on a scholarship to become a roadie for a local rock band. What followed was a 40+ year career in live concert production, providing sound and lighting for thousands of musical acts. In 2000, he stepped away from touring, settled in St. Louis, and began building custom bikes, channeling the creative energy that had once led him to art school. Frustrated by the lack of quality shows in his area, he launched Cycle Showcase in 2013, bringing a theatrical edge to the event with immersive lighting, a powerful soundtrack and an atmosphere that feels more like a sensory experience than a traditional show. Noldge is grateful to share some of his favorite machines through the Buffalo Chip Motorcycles as Art experience.

Catch the Exhibit: Six customs chosen with the same passion for showcasing exceptional machines that made Cycle Showcase a respected name in the custom bike world, curated by Randall at Motorcycles as Art. Available for viewing every day, Saturday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

 

Chad Turner, Motorcycles As Art Curator

Chad Turner works daily as an artist, creating works for massive companies including Harley-Davidson and Netflix. As an artist with talents across the board, from digital illustration to physical media like paint and sculpture, he combines rebellious lowbrow energy with fine art skills to create works that embrace and express the raw intensity of the human experience. The resulting pieces are aesthetically pleasing and also elicit an emotional response, inviting viewers to dig deeper and explore all the hidden details within. If you ask Turner about his work, he’s humble and would say, “I like to ride bikes and make art,” but he is an incredible talent. If he’s not creating, he’s probably putting miles on his Harley and thinking about his next piece.

Catch the Exhibit: Never-before-seen artwork featuring multiple artists and mediums that channel the rebellious spirit and raw creativity of motorcycle culture curated by Chad at Motorcycles as Art. Available for viewing every day, Saturday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.

 

 

The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Custom Series and Motorcycles As Art features a packed lineup of elite bike shows and exhibits, showcasing the most creative and finely crafted motorcycles and motorcycle art of the Sturgis Rally. With daily bike shows like the Sportster Showdown, Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show, and FXR Show & Dyna Mixer, builders compete for Best in Show and a shot at the coveted Custom Series King (or Queen) title. Then, stop in Motorcycles As Art to take in the curated wonders every day beginning Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. It’s the rally’s top destination for custom motorcycle culture. Learn more and see all of the bike shows here!