The Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Custom Series is the largest series of bike shows in the world, featuring 12 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. 1 at the free-access Buffalo Chip CrossRoads.
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. 2 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. 3 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.
Left to right: Amity Marr, Tyler Marr, Timmy Marr, Jacq Brandt
Catch the Bike Show: Martian Machine Contraption Show on Sunday, Aug. 3
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: 5th Annual Evo Entanglement Bike Show on Monday, Aug. 4 at the CrossRoads.
Jared Weems of Weems Motor Company
Jared Weems is a custom motorcycle builder from Tampa, Florida, focusing on vintage British motorcycles, especially Triumphs. He is passionate about preservation, restoration, and custom builds of metric and foreign motorcycles.
Catch the Bike Show: Inaugural Global Getdown Bike Show on Monday, Aug. 4 at the CrossRoads.
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 5, 2025 at Camp Zero and the inaugural Bikini Beach Bike Show on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Buffalo Chip’s Bikini Beach
Savannah Rose of Maiden Moto
Savannah Rose (@themouseandthemoto) is a photographer, content creator, RiderCoach, and founder of the all-female Maiden Moto Art Show. She is committed to advocating for women in motorcycling and empowering women riders and builders.
Catch the Bike Show: Co-curator of the 17th Annual Motorcycles As Art Exhibition held August 2–8, 2025 at the Buffalo Chip Event Center and the Biker Belles Women’s Bike Show on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the CrossRoads.
Lloyd Greer of Lloyd’z Garage
Lloyd Greer, mentored by Dr. Dyno, developed Lloyd’z Garage to create performance parts and tuning services for Indian Motorcycles. He is known for building the world’s fastest Indians and advancing high-performance motorcycle innovation. His expertise can also be found at the Buffalo Chip CrossRoads during rally.
Catch the Bike Show: Pretty Fast Bike Show on Wednesday, Aug. 6 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: Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show on Thursday, Aug. 7 at the CrossRoads
The Sturgis Buffalo Chip Custom Series features a packed lineup of elite bike shows showcasing the most creative and finely crafted motorcycles of the rally. With daily shows like the Sportster Showdown, Rat’s Hole, and FXR Show, builders compete for Best in Show and a shot at the coveted Custom Series King title. It’s the rally’s top destination for custom motorcycle culture. Learn more and see all of the bike shows here!
Presented by the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®
Known as The Best Party Anywhere®, the Legendary Buffalo Chip believes festivals should be fun like a high five, reenergize you like a broken rule, and romance you like someone you just met and want to kiss.
This nine-day festival of concerts and motorcycle events promises to bring you exciting live performances from artists like Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Five Finger Death Punch, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Toby Keith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mötley Crüe, Miranda Lambert, 3 Doors Down, ZZ Top, Sublime with Rome, Slash, and many more.
The Best Party Anywhere remains one of the most televised festivals in the world and has been featured on the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel, CMT Bike Week, HISTORY, TLC, National Geographic and more.
Learn more at www.buffalochip.com.
0 Comments