Black Hills Harley Davidson (BHHD), Prugh Design and Western Dakota Technical Institute’s (WDT) Welding Manufacturing students have teamed with The Legendary Buffalo Chip to design and build The Buffalo Chip’s 2010 Legends Ride™ Bike.
Now in its third year, The Legends Ride™ benefits the Childrens Home Society and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The Bufflao Chip’s 2K10 Challenge combines the design and building talent of Michael Prugh, owner of Prugh Design, with top drawer parts provided by Black Hills Harley Davidson. Students in WDT’s welding and manufacturing program will have the benefit of working with a high profile designer and builder in Prugh and a high profile event, The Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride™.
The project was kicked off in January and will be completed in time for summer-long promotion of the Legends Ride™, which will take place on Monday, Aug. 9. The bike will be auctioned at the Buffalo Chip at the conclusion of the ride.
The bike build is well underway with Prugh meeting with students at least twice weekly, giving classroom instruction and hands-on guidance as the bike takes shape, and the more than $15,000 worth of BHHD-provided parts are combined to make a very unique motorcycle.
Prugh said the completed Legends Ride™ Bike “will definitely have its own personality because it was built with the efforts of 25 future technicians. I hope to inspire a new generation of talent.”
Luke Steinmets, WDT’s Welding Manufacturing Program lead instructor, said it is extraordinary to “have this rare combination of talent coming together on this scale to provide something special for our students. Our students are up to the challenge and capable of building a world-class motorcycle.”
Black Hills Harley Davidson will, by the end of the project, have contributed more than $15,000 in parts to the project. They know the value of training new technicians who are excited about the future of the motorcycle industry. “The 2k10 Challenge was a way for us to give the students a competitive edge by providing parts from the top manufacturers in the industry,” said Terry Reimer, BHHD general manager.
The Buffalo Chip’s 2k10 Challenge finale is set for May 15, 2010 also WDT’s graduation day. Students will debut the motorcycle at a special ceremony and again showcase their work on the largest stage in motorcycling at the Legendary Buffalo Chip during the 70th Annual Sturgis Rally.
Legendary Buffalo Chip owner Rod Woodruff said he , is thrilled to be a part of the ground-breaking project. “We are happy to be able to join with area businesses to promote technical education and the future of the motorcycle industry.”
Video episodes tracking the students’ progress on the bike will begin appearing soon at www.buffalochip.com, where a dedicated blog complete with pictures and web videos will be published. For more information about WDT and its more than 20 programs, visit www.wdt.edu. Visit www.prughdesign.com to view Michael Prugh’s previous and exceptional builds or to learn more about Black Hills Harley Davidson make sure to check out www.blackhillshd.com.
