The Ultimate Guide to Custom Motorcycles Built for the Sturgis Buffalo Chip®

Looking for inspiration for your next build? Want to be the first to lay eyes on some brand new, high-profile custom motorcycles you could take home? Could you simply use a few minutes to daydream with some gorgeous bikes scrolling by on your screen? No matter your reason, this collection of amazing machines created for the Sturgis Buffalo Chip by some of the world’s most renowned custom builders is sure to be the cure for what ails you, unless, of course, what ails you is drooling.

2022 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Legends Ride Auction Bike
Model: 2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Builder: Cory & Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles

The 2022 Legends Ride auction will feature this truly unique, race-inspired performance bagger by famed customizers Cory and Zach Ness. The stock Road Glide model, sponsored by Black Hills-Harley Davidson, includes a wide array of performance upgrades.

The Ness Road Glide is the first bike showcasing the new line of Performance Bagger products from Arlen Ness Motorcycles. Ness added extra horsepower to the Milwaukee-Eight powerplant in the form of a gold Ness Method air cleaner and a Vance & Hines stainless 2-into-1 Hi-Output racing exhaust.

The build features the new Pro Short fender, Legend Suspension, Ness Method fork legs with integrated fork brace, wild gold anodized Ness Y Spoke wheels, Method billet triple trees, billet risers and gauge back. This new set up puts your gauges in the perfect position to see your screen, while the LaPera Daytona seat puts you in the perfect position for performance riding.

Eye-catching Ness gold anodized floorboards, pegs, shift lever and derby cover, along with a stunning paint job from Riff Raff Customs complete the distinctive look of the bagger.

2021 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Moto Buffalo Chip Signature B4
Model: 2021 Indian Chieftain S
Builder: Lloyd Greer & Tim Sutherland of Lloyd’z GarageCycles

The Sturgis Buffalo Chip teamed up with Indian motorcycle customization and performance leaders Tim Sutherland and Lloyd Greer to bring a signature line of Indian motorcycles called the Buffalo Chip B4 Signature Series to a handful of lucky buyers. The first creation in this line, “001”, made its debut ahead of The Chip’s 40th consecutive festival held during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and was auctioned off during the Legends Ride.

Based off Indian’s flagship Chieftain model, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip signature edition B4 was loaded with a long list of exclusive customizations. From 1901 Customs’ oversized wheel kit and wheels, to the specialized Arnott air-adjustable suspension, to the Lloyd’z Garage 126 Big Bore Kit, to custom paint by Rusty Nash and Rod Woodruff’s “Ride Free Take Risks” credo embroidered on the custom seat, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Signature B4 added new dimensions in cool-factor, performance and collectability.

Project: Rusty Wallace Ride Bike
Model: 2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Builder: Rusty & Steve Wallace of Southern Country Customs

Participants in the Buffalo Chip’s 3rd annual Rusty Wallace Ride could barely get auction bids in fast enough once they laid eyes on this custom Road Glide built by Rusty Wallace and his son Steve of Southern Country Customs.

The stock 2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, generously donated by Black Hills Harley-Davidson, was outfitted with an array of aftermarket parts from companies including LA Choppers, Dirty Bird Concepts, Klock Werks, Soundz Bagger Audio and, of course, Southern Country Customs. Its striking paint job was carried through the full design, with red accents incorporated throughout.

A serious bidding war erupted when this incredible machine rolled onto the auction block—each bid raising more funds for The NASCAR Foundation and South Dakota Special Olympics Rapid City Flame. In the end, a $90,000 bid closed the auction, and the outbid party threw in $10,000 to make the donation an even $100k!

Project: Sturgis Buffalo Chip Motorcycle Sweepstakes
Model: 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Builder: J&P Cycles

To celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Sturgis Rally, J&P Cycles came together with the rally’s number one destination to create this custom 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Bob that would go home with one lucky winner.

Its upgrades included a custom paint job from Underground Art Studios, Legend Air-A Suspension, S&S Grand National Exhaust, Biltwell grips, pegs and mirrors, and more.

Project: Sturgis Buffalo Chip 40th Anniversary Tribute Bike
Model: Full Custom
Builder: Zac Lenning of Angry 1 Garage

The energy and excitement surrounding Zach Lenning’s tribute bike for the 80th Sturgis Rally anniversary in 2020 led him to immediately jump into another tribute build—this time for the Buffalo Chip’s 40th anniversary in 2021.

The focal point of the 40th anniversary Chip bobber was the engine. Built from custom fabricated and rare antique Harley parts, the engine features a 1930s carb, old-school open Crocker tops and a set of heads so rare that they’re likely the only of their kind left in existence. Most of the body parts on the bobber were antiques or one-offs aged to give the bike that antique-South-Dakota-barn-find look.

The bike made its way to its home after hitting the Mecum Las Vegas auction block on Jan. 29, 2022./p>

2020 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Rusty Wallace Ride Bike
Model: 2020 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide
Builder: Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles

In honor of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2nd annual Rusty Wallace Ride, Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles created this race-inspired 2020 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide for NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Rusty Wallace. The motorcycle was graciously donated by Black Hills Harley-Davidson, which allowed all funds from the sale of the bike to benefit charities.

This showstopper featured Ness custom parts from top to bottom, an exhaust upgrade from Rinehart Racing, a custom leather seat from LaPera and a beautiful paint job with an underlying geometric honeycomb pattern courtesy of Mazz Enterprizes.

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
Builder: Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles

J&P Cycles teamed up with the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, GEICO and Black Hills Harley-Davidson in 2020 to give one lucky fan a brand-spanking-new Low Rider S, customized from top to bottom with J&P parts. The goal was to create a motorcycle using accessible parts that enthusiasts could use on their own garage projects at home.

Since the stock Low Rider S has such clean lines and a solid stance, the guys at J&P didn’t want to completely change the lines of the bike. But they did crank up the volume to 10 with a whole heap of performance upgrades and custom parts with aggressive styling.

Learn more about the upgrades here!

James Bakalich had long since forgotten about dropping his name into the drawing for this mean machine at J&P Cycles in March 2020 during Daytona Bike Week. Just days later, the world turned on end and the idea of winning the bike on the Sturgis Buffalo Chip stage became so far fetched that it slipped away entirely. Six months later, he received a phone call that ended up making an otherwise unlucky year incredibly lucky.

Project: Motorcycles As Art
Model: Speedking Pan
Builder: Jeff Cochran of Speedking Racing

Each year the Buffalo Chip offers its guests the opportunity to view the work of some of the industry’s most influential master builders at its annual Motorcycles As Art exhibit, curated by renowned motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter and presented by Russ Brown Motorcycles. For the 80^th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Lichter went big with the theme Heavy Mettle: Motorcycles and Art with Moxie.

In order to be invited to participate in the 2020 exhibit, builders were required to have completed at least 20 custom builds and have been in business for at least 20 years. This guaranteed that exhibit attendees would only see bikes from the most legendary of builders.

Exhibit presenters Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys were charged with selecting the best of the best to represent Motorcycles As Art . The competition was stiff, but they ultimately chose Jeff Cochran’s Speedking Pan, a Special Order 93″ S&S Panhead built in 2019. The custom work of art accompanied Russ Brown on its event tour in 2020.

Project: 80^th Tribute Bike
Model: 2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Builder: Zach Lenning of Angry 1 Garage

The excitement was palpable leading up to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally’s historic 80^th anniversary in 2020. While so many rally goers spent the months and weeks leading up to the event planning for a much-needed break from their social isolation, Zach Lenning of Angry 1 Garage channeled his excitement into a captivating custom build.

Working night and day at his shop in Tea, SD, Lenning spent three weeks transforming a stock 2020 Road Glide into a rolling work of art that immortalized the motorcycles, music, freedom and friendship of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. The bike was covered top to bottom with detailed airbrush art from Mickey Harris that featured iconic imagery and scenes from the Best Party Anywhere. Buffalo Chip president Rod “Woody” Woodruff, performers Kid Rock and Willie Nelson, the Wolfman Jack Stage, the Miss Buffalo Chip Bikini Bike Wash and more were all featured prominently.

2019 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Legends Ride Bike
Model: Harley-Davidson Road King
Builder: Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles

A slick Harley-Davidson Road King made its way to the Legends Ride auction block in 2019 to support the event’s mission of charitable giving.

From the start, Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles was dead set on “show and go.” He started with the internals first, throwing in S&S Cycle cam chest kit and outfitting the primary side with a BDL belt drive. Then he went to the OG customers, Arlen Ness Motorcycles, for wheels and brakes, outfitting the bagger with a massive 180×18 front wheel and big brakes to match. For the final touches, the sheet metal and bags went to Gilby’s Street Department for a signature Buffalo Chip black and yellow paint job.

Learn more about this bike in Countersteer!

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: Harley-Davidson Street Rod
Builder: Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles

The team at J&P Cycles and GEICO Motorcycle changed up the game with the Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway in 2019 by creating not one, but two different custom motorcycles to be given away on the Wolfman Jack Stage during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The winners would have to choose which they would rather have in their garage…a lean and mean performance-oriented brawler or a beastly classic muscle bike with a classic paint job.

The first bike Patrick Garvin would tackle was this Harley-Davidson Street Rod. He wanted to keep the bike true to its sport performance and look, so he worked to enhance those qualities. He removed all the unnecessary plastic, slimmed down the lights and carved the tail section into something a little sexier. A Grand National muffler and mini Teardrop intake from S&S Cycle added some punch, and the classic HD racing paint scheme provided the extra pop.

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: Indian Scout
Builder: Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles

The second bike up for grabs in the 2019 Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway was created with a completely different stylistic approach. J&P envisioned a classic American muscle bike hiding under the “grandpa-like” styling of the stock Scout’s oversized fenders and luggage.

After stripping it down to its bare bones, they adjusted the stance, carved out a more aggressive shape and pumped up the attitude with parts from Arlen Ness, Pirelli and Klockworks. Vance and Hines Grenade exhaust paired with an Arlen Ness Torque Box intake provided extra power, and Copperhead Graphics finished it off with a classic paint job–heavy red metal flake with a vintage gold leaf and pin-striped Indian logo on the side.

Project: 2019 Rock, Rumble & Rebellion
Model: Harley-Davidson Road King
Builder: Curtis Hofmann of Hofmann Designs

After building the three Rock, Rumble & Rebellion bikes for the Buffalo Chip in house, the guys at Kuryakyn handed off the keys to this Road King to Curtis Hofmann to handle the build in 2019.

Receiving carte blanche on the project, Hofmann transformed the RRR Road King with close to 30 of the latest Kuryakyn parts, along with his own signature Hofmann Designs carbon fiber front and rear fender, saddlebags and side covers. The paint scheme from Jason Sprengel that finished off the carbon fiber styling brought this performance bagger to the next level.

Learn more about this bike in the Kuryakyn blog!

2018 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Legends Ride Bike
Model: Full Custom
Builder: Paul Teutul Jr. Designs
Magazine Feature: Hot Bike Magazine

The successful Discovery Channel series that brought America the father-son team of Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. returned in 2018, and with it came the plan for the 2018 Legends Ride Bike. The first two episodes of “American Chopper” featured this gorgeous work of art and helped the bike go down in history as a testament to Paul Jr.’s incomparable talents.

After meeting with Sturgis Buffalo Chip President Rod Woodruff, Teutul accepted the challenge to create a bike that would stand out as one of the most exceptional custom motorcycles on the planet. Paul Jr. took the challenge to heart and got to work capturing the essence of not only the Sturgis Buffalo Chip itself, but also the entire Black Hills region, within the build. The inclusion of earthy elements like the brushed nickel frame and hand-engraved copper clamps, as well as the airbrushed scenes of free-roaming buffalo and Deadwood’s Historic Main Street, immediately imparted the atmosphere of the Black Hills into the mind of the viewer.

While it was easy to get hung up on the ornate detail packed into every inch of this bike, its function was as high as its form. The 107ci Ultima engine boasted 115 hp and 120 lb ft of torque, adding some serious power to the bike’s muscly stance. Couple that with the Baker 6-speed transmission and Rivera Primo Primary, and you had a bike that was as pleasing to ride as it was to admire.

Learn more about this bike here!

Project: 2018 Rock, Rumble & Rebellion
Model: 2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse
Builder: Kuryakyn

2018 marked the third year of the “Rock, Rumble & Rebellion” collaboration between Kuryakyn and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. After centering a bike around “Rock” and “Rumble,” the 2018 theme paid tribute to those who ditch their daily grind for nine days of “Rebellion” at The Chip.

Kuryakyn compiled a complete parts list and stripped down the stock Indian Chieftain Dark Horse to its frame, then enlisted the talents of renowned Austrian artist Marcus Pfeil. His mind-blowing paint job evoked the loud, bold, brash and rebellious attitude found throughout musical history. First, Pfiel combined a metallic satin black base with brushed steel-styled silver panels that were painstakingly outlined with clean hand-pressed gold leaf. Then he airbrushed silhouettes of dozens of revolutionary musicians and bands that portrayed true rebellion through their music and approach throughout the paint.

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: Indian Scout Sixty
Builder: Pauly White of J&P Cycles

The dream team at J&P Cycles brought the world an Indian Scout Sixty customized into the ultimate street-legal tracker for the 2018 Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway.

The unique build was meant to inspire motorcyclists of all levels of technical skills to investigate customization possibilities they can perform themselves. To that end, J&P Cycles expert builder Pauly White created a dream machine any motorcycle enthusiast could build in their own garage, using their own tools. While completely changing the body, handlebars, controls, wheels, tires, seat, exhaust and lighting, the bike never left the garage, except for painting.

2017 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: 2017 Indian Scout Sixty
Builder: Carey Hart of RCH Racing
Magazine Feature: Hot Bike June 2017

Carey Hart likes to keep his bikes as stock as possible, because he doesn’t want people to feel they need to reengineer bikes like these to get them on onto the racetrack. To that end, for this build he used all the stock panels, replaced the seat, did some crafty work to get the forward controls back to a mid control position, used the stock hubs and relaced the wheels.

As one of two custom hooligan-style motorcycles up for grabs in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2017 Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway, this Indian Scout Sixty had battle scars and the stories to go along with them after tearing up the track during the RSD Super Hooligan Races in the Chip’s amphitheater.

Project: Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway
Model: 2017 Indian Scout Sixty
Builder: Roland Sands of Roland Sands Design
Magazine Feature: Hot Bike June 2017

An Indian Scout Sixty built by Roland Sands was the second “Evil Twin” in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2017 Moto Stampede Bike Giveaway. After bangin’ handle bars on dirt, fans had the chance to lay claim to it–battle scars and all–on stage at the Largest Music Festival in Motorcycling®.

Project: 10^th Anniversary Legends Ride Bike
Model: 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider
Builder: S&S Cycle, Inc.
Magazine Feature: American Iron #353

In honor of the 10^th anniversary of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride®, S&S Cycle tweaked a 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider into a sleek club-style chopper powered by a T143 Black Edition engine packing 143 cubic inches of 165 to 170 horsepower to the wheel. Harnessing that extra horsepower required S&S to upgrade the transmission, clutch and primary work. To clothe the powerful machine, S&S replaced the fairing and lowers and added some Dyna Defender bags. The blue and white striped paint job that finished off this muscle machine paid homage to the Shelby Cobra. See the specs here!

Project: 2017 Rock, Rumble & Rebellion
Model: 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Builder: Kuryakyn
Magazine Feature: American Iron #352

The sleek, industrial appearance of the 2017 Rock, Rumble & Rebellion bike strikes a distinctive balance of refinement and rawness. Kuryakyn designers chose select pieces from their all-new Riot and Mesh Collections, adding customized components and stunning paint by Todd “Gilby” Gilbertson to create a harmonious pushpull of mechanical grit and class. This beautiful custom motorcycle is powered by Crusher exhaust and Kuryakyn’s iconic, freshly re-imagined Hypercharger ES.

The bike was offered for sale as it made appearances at various events across the country and went home with its new owner after appearing at the Buffalo Chip during the 2017 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

2016 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2016 Buffalo Chip Challenge™
Model: Rusty Jones Signature 2016 Victory Cross Country
Builder: Black Hills area high school students under the direction of Randy Cramer of Dakota V-Twin

To customize this award winning motorcycle, Black Hills area high school students installed a neck rake kit from KewlMetal Inc., an Instant Up Full Air Ride Kit from Rusty Jones Customs, and Lloydz Motor Workz cams.

They finished off the look with urethane body parts, custom Victory logo taillights and pinstriping from Tim Peterson of Flat Earth Art Company.

To find out more about what went into this build be sure to check out Victory Cross Country: The Ultimate Customization from Start to Finish in the Sturgis Rider® News Blog!

Project: 2016 Buffalo Chip Challenge
Model: John Shope Signature 2015 Indian Chief Classic
Builder: Black Hills area high school students under the direction of Chris Malo of Baggster
Magazine Feature: American Iron #339

Buffalo Chip Challenge “Team Indian” raked the neck on this custom bagger to 37º to fit its 26” wheel using a KewlMetal Inc. bolt on neck kit. They also installed oversized aftermarket cams, rear air ride, urethane parts, Kreun Kustoms Seat, a Dirty Bird Concepts Stampede Series Stretched Tank Kit and Drifter Fairing that was fully loaded with MTX Audio components.

To find out more about what went into this build be sure to check out Indian Chief Classic: The Ultimate Customization from Start to Finish!

Project: 2016 Rock, Rumble & Rebellion
Model: 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Builder: Kuryakyn
Magazine Feature: Baggers August 2016

To salute the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 35 years of Rock, Rumble & Rebellion, Kuryakyn built a custom performance bagger that paid tribute to the annual merging of motorcycle and rock ‘n’ roll cultures at The Best Party Anywhere®. This one-off commemorative 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and its matching Epiphone Sheraton II were recently displayed at the 2017 Black Hills Motorcycle Show where the bike won 1^st place in the Open/Pro Custom Bagger Class.

This beast ripped up the streets in style with close to 40 Kuryakyn Enhancement Parts, plus contributions by Bahn, Jim Nasi Customs, Mustang Seats, Performance Machine, Progressive Suspension, Roland Sands Design and Xtreme Machine. Both the motorcycle and its matching guitar received a beautiful custom paint job by Gilby’s Street Department. See all the specs here,

2015 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2015 Buffalo Chip Challenge
Model: John Shope Signature 2014 Indian Chieftain
Builder: Sturgis Brown High School students under the direction of Chris Malo of Baggster and SBHS instructors Bill Johnson and Chad Hedderman
Magazine Feature: American Iron June 2015

This award-winning bagger built for the 2015 Buffalo Chip Challenge industrial education program primarily used parts from John Shope’s Dirty Bird Concepts, and its custom mods included a seat pan cut into the rear fender and Indian of Sturgis engine covers. The whole look was finished off with a black on silver metal flake paint job with burgundy pinstripe from Jamie Denholm.

Before being auctioned off in support of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s Legends Ride charity event, it took first place in the Full Custom/Other Bagger Class at the Donnie Smith Bike Show.

Project: 2015 Buffalo Chip Challenge
Model: Paul Yaffe Signature 2014 Harley-Davidson Road King
Builder: Sturgis Brown High School students under the direction of Randy and Nick Cramer of Dakota V-Twin and SBHS instructors Bill Johnson and Chad Hedderman
Magazine Feature: American Iron July 2015

Paul Yaffe and a group of generous industry leaders donated sixty thousand dollars worth of parts and labor in order to bring this behemoth to the Legends Ride auction block. The 107 ci. twin cam engine and Trask Turbo system gave this bad boy a 165 hp kick, and the whole look was finished off with a custom flame job from Dave Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fab.

After a whirlwind two-month build, the bike took second place in the Harley Road King w/ 26” Wheel (Full Custom) Category at the Donnie Smith Bike Show.

Project: 2015 Sturgis Rider® Sweepstakes
Model: 2014 Victory Gunner
Builder: Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Enterprises

To commemorate the historic 75^th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Chip teamed up with Victory Motorcycles, Arlen Ness Enterprises, Epiphone Guitar and AMSOIL to give one lucky Buffalo Chip fan their own 2014 Victory Gunner, customized by renowned builder Cory Ness.

This one-of-a-kind low-profile, hot rod featured a solid pro-stock rear section, a stout front end, loads of rock ‘n’ roll gold accents and it was chock-full of distinctive custom Ness parts. Plus it came with a beautiful Epiphone Sheraton II guitar to match!

Project: Commemorate the 75^th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Model: Indian Chief Racer
Builder: Roland Sands Designs

Jaws dropped across the amphitheater on Aug. 2, 2015 as Roland Sands unveiled the result of a collaboration between Roland Sands Designs, the Buffalo Chip, GEICO and Indian Motorcycle. The custom 75^th anniversary Indian Chief Racer was built from the motor up, with the Roland Sands Designs team designing, fabricating and machining every part.

2014 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2014 Student Build Challenge™
Model: 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Builder: Sturgis Brown High School Students under the direction of Randy and Nick Cramer of Dakota V-Twin, Keith Terry of Terry Components and SBHS instructors Bill Johnson and Chad Hedderman
Magazine Feature: Road Iron #44

Being one of the very first 2014 Street Glides in existence garnered this custom a ton of attention, but this level of innovation brought with it quite a challenge for the student builders working on the project. Harley-Davidson had made drastic changes between the 2013 and 2014 models, which meant most of the custom parts had yet to be created when the build began.

Program participants installed custom body components from Dirty Bird Concepts, replaced the 19-inch front wheel with a 26-inch from R.C. Components and swapped the standard black seat for a buff leather seat made by Howard Knight. Finally, the students took the bike to Ian Strachan Designs to give it a striking Ferrari-red graffiti paint job.

Not stopping with cosmetics, the student bike build project placed the same focus on the motorcycle’s performance as it did the appearance. In order to reach the 175 hp goal, this bike received a new Trask turbo system with a 10:1 compression ratio, Dave Mackie Engineering hemi Harley heads, CP Carrillo dome pistons and Feuling performance parts. Talk about a motorhead’s dream!

Project: 2014 Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
Model: 2015 Victory Cross Country 8-Ball
Builder: Cory Ness of Arlen Ness Enterprises

From its blacked-out engine, to beveled accessories, to a smoldering paint job, this custom Victory Cross Country® 8-Ball that was up for grabs in 2014 was like no other motorcycle the world had ever seen.

Cory Ness first chose a 23” Ness beveled front wheel and 16” real wheel for the motorcycle, then chose beveled accessories to match. An 8-Ball is all about being blacked out and having lots of attitude, but Cory decided to take it a step further and give the bike all black custom Ness parts including RAD III Teardrop Mirrors, Beveled Derby Cover, Deep Cut Floorboards and Deep Cut Muffler Tips.

Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios gave the bike this smokin’ hot paint job and La Pera continued the theme with a custom black seat featuring flame stitching.

Find out more about this bike by checking out 6 Pro Customizations You Can Do to Your Ride!

2013 Custom Motorcycles

Project: Rod Woodruff Custom Motorcycle
Model: 1999 Harley-Davidson Dyna
Builder: Keith Terry of Terry Components and Chris Malo of Baggster
Magazine Feature: Road Iron December 2014

Buffalo Chip founder and president Rod “Woody” Woodruff bought this Dyna Glide new and spent plenty of time riding it around on unimproved county roads before deciding it was time for a clean up and an upgrade that would make some more room to pack his gear.

Chris Malo and Keith Terry hatched a plan to replace and upgrade all the worn-out or rusted components then install a Baggster kit. The bike was then finished with—what else—a Sturgis Buffalo Chip-themed paint job.

Project: 2013 Biker Belles® Celebration & Ride
Model: 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
Builder: Jessi Combs
Magazine Feature: Iron Works December 2013

When Jessi Combs of All Girls Garage and Overhaulin’ joined forces with the Buffalo Chip for this Biker Belles build, the Softail Slim she customized emerged a nothing less than a masterpiece. Combs added her personal customizations to the bike donated by Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson using parts from leaders including Avon Tires, Klock Werks Kustoms, Legend Suspensions, LGE-CTS Motorsports, Magnaflow, PPG Paints and Ridewright Wheels.

The transformation was featured on two episodes of All Girls Garage that aired on Velocity TV, one of which was filmed on site at the Buffalo Chip.

Project: 2013 Student Build Challenge
Model: 2012 Harley-Davidson Road King
Builder: Sturgis Brown High School Students under the direction of Keith Terry of Terry Components and Randy and Nick Cramer of Dakota V-Twin
Magazine Feature: American Iron July 2013

Built by a group of dedicated Sturgis Brown High School students guided by Keith Terry of Terry Components and Randy and Nick Cramer of Dakota V-Twin, this bold Road King came together thanks from the generosity of an enormous group of industry leaders.

This custom bike was able to be auctioned off in support of the Buffalo Chip’s signature Legends Ride celebrity-charity event thanks to Arlen Ness Enterprises, Baggster, Black Hills Harley-Davidson, Black Hills Plating & Polishing, CP Carrillo, Dakota Digital, Danny Gray Seats, Diamond Fasteners, Dimension Custom Paint & Body, Fueling Parts, Handy Industries, Hawg Halters, Hawg Wired, Hot Leathers, Legend Suspension, Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation, R.C. Compontents, Sinister Industries, Thunder Cycle Design, Thunder Max Performance, Trask Performance, Jacob Van Kampen, and Vee Rubber America.

Project: 2013 Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
Model: Victory Cross Country
Builder: Corey Ness of Arlen Ness Enterprises

This Ness Victory was already in a class of its own thanks to its hand-crafted fabrication, stretched gas tank, innovative rear section, 6º raked triple trees, world-class Arlen Ness 23” G3 front wheel, Modular handlebars and Power LEDs. But the sleek, high-end look of its paint job and the innovation built into its KICKER sound system took things to a whole new level.

This custom motorcycle came complete with fairing and saddlebag-mounted speakers, iPod connection and a guitar hook concealed in the right saddlebag, allowing the winner to play a the bike’s matching Epiphone Les Paul Studio guitar (also customized by Cory Ness) directly through the bike’s sound system whenever or wherever the mood struck.

2012 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2012 Buffalo Chip Challenge
Model: Harley-Davidson Road King
Builder: Sturgis Brown High School Students under the direction of Keith Terry of Terry Components and Randy and Nick Cramer of Dakota V-Twin
Magazine Feature: American Iron August 2012

This one-of-a-kind custom touring classic took biker bravado to a new level with its frame-mounted fairing, large-scale front wheel, high-output sound system and a host of quality parts and unique accessories.

The student builders made a significant effort in the initial phase of the project to provide new geometry to the front end of the motorcycle in order to accommodate its new 23” custom wheel from RC Components. Later in the build, a new rear fender from Klock Werks Kustom Cycles and custom extended saddle bags from Sinister Industries were installed to provided the bagger lean, low swagger to round out its profile from front to back.

Project: 2012 Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
Model: Victory Cross Country
Builder: Klock Werks Kustom Cycles

This Klock Works creation, aptly named “Kountry Wild,” featured Renegade wheels, a high-output KICKER sound system, hand-tooled leather from Duane Ballard of DB Leather, detailed paint and airbrush work by Darren Wenzel of Gasoline Art, floorboards from Strokers Dallas, and fenders, handlebars and fabrication by Brian Klock of Klock Werks.

2011 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2011 Buffalo Chip Challenge
Model: 2011 Harley-Davidson Street Bob
Builder: Western Dakota Technical Institute students under the direction of Michael Prugh of Prugh Design
Magazine Feature: American Iron October 2011

This custom build demonstrates just how much can done with a stock bike, a great aftermarket parts catalog and plenty of hard work. Based on the 2011 Harley Street Bob platform, the machine was rebuilt from the ground up using custom-designed and fabricated parts as well as many aftermarket parts and accessories sourced from the 2011 Custom Chrome catalog.

Project: 2011 Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
Model: Victory Kingpin 8-Ball
Builder: Klock Werks Kustom Cycle

To commemorate the Buffalo Chip’s 30^th anniversary, Klock Werks Kustom Cycle owners Brian and Laura Klock saw potential for their young daughters Erika and Karlee Cobb to design, build and fabricate this mini bagger. The finished motorcycle encompassed the Buffalo Chip’s annual celebration of music, motorcycles, freedom and camaraderie while showcasing signature Klock Werks customizations as well as parts from Bassani Exhaust, Gearwrench and Sportech.

2010 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2K10 Legends Ride Bike
Model: Full Custom
Builder: Western Dakota Technical Institute students under the direction of Michael Prugh of Prugh Design
Magazine Feature: American Iron September 2010

Simplicity and cohesiveness are two elements that always seem to find their way into a Michael Prugh design, so it’s no surprise that he took a less-is-more, unified approach when designing and overseeing the build of the 2K10 Legends Ride custom motorcycle.

Prugh and the WDT build team began with a rigid frame from New York City Choppers, then added a set of forks from a 1984 Sportster and coupled them with a 2.15-21″ Performance Machine Hooligan wheel with a matching 5.50-18″ Hooligan hoop on the back. The team cut the bottom out of a West Coast Choppers tank and reconfigured it so that it was able to hug the top of the monster motor. Together, Prugh and the WDT students custom fabbed the handlebars, oil bag, seat and taillight. To slow things down, they installed a set of JayBrake calipers and rotors–six-piston in front and four-piston in the back.

2009 Custom Motorcycles

Project: 2009 Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes
Model: Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
Builder: Sucker Punch Sally’s
Magazine Feature: American Cycle Aug. 2009, American Bagger

This one-of-a-kind, retro-style rigid came to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip by way of old-school manufacturers Sucker Punch Sally’s. The custom Slim invited those who registered for the Sturgis Rider Sweepstakes to blaze their own path on a race-inspired motorcycle with a 115” Revtech engine from Custom Chrome, belt drive from BDL, hand-made, tooled leather seat from Eastern Fabrication and a one-off paint job from Steel Visions Design as well as quality parts from top manufacturers including Hawg Halters Inc, and Lyndall Racing Brakes.

Project: 2009 Legends Ride
Model: Full Custom
Builder: Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrications

This hot rod was designed and built to capture the spirit of Deadwood, the once lawless town run by infamous gamblers and gunslingers that plays host to the Legends Ride each year. This full custom boasts of a retro fame, wheels and front end from Kustomwerks, 96” Evo motor from S&S Cycle, and brakes and forward controls from Jaybrake. Finishing touches include paint by Gary Queen and his crew at Other Side Customs, a hand-tooled Legends Ride seat by Chris Alexander and plenty of Kyle Shorey signature handmade parts.

Which one of these custom bikes would you like to have in your garage? Let us know in the comments below!

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 have to take home.

This nine-day festival of concerts and motorcycle events promises to bring you exciting events like flat track races and live performances from artists like Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Five Finger Death Punch, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie and many more.

Find out more or get passes to the Best Party Anywhere at www.buffalochip.com and find out why it continues to be one of the most televised festivals in the world.