Motorcycles as Art Custom Show Brings Young Talent to Sturgis (with Photo Gallery)

Aug 18, 2017

Michael Lichter interviewing a featured builder at the Motorcycles as Art show in Sturgis

Michael Lichter (right) interviewed a number of the young builders at the Motorcycles as Art show

For ten days each summer, Sturgis, South Dakota holds a magnetic attraction for hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists. The Sturgis Rally also attracts dozens of the world’s most innovative motorcycle builders to the Buffalo Chip Campground’s annual Motorcycles as Art custom bike show. As is the case every year, the K&N-sponsored show was open to the public with paid admission to the Buffalo Chip.

The focus of the Motorcycles as Art show changes from year-to-year. For the 77th Sturgis Rally, the show’s curator and famed motorcycle photographer, Michael Lichter, came up with the theme, “Old Iron – Young Blood.” The invited builders and visual artists had to be younger than 36 years old at the start of the show.

In addition to the strictly enforced age limitation, the millennial builders had just months to complete their rolling visions. In many cases, the Sturgis event spelled the public debut of the custom builds. The collected custom creations exuded a level of creativity and diversity often missing from custom bike shows.

Willie G. Davidson talking to “Old Iron – Young Blood” featured builders

Willie G. Davidson (center) interacted with the new generation of builders at the Sturgis event

"The talent in this room of creatives is unbelievable and makes me wonder," said Lichter, "who amongst them will be the legends of the future? Just as I photographed Dave Perewitz, Donnie Smith, Paul Yaffe, Jesse James, and Brian Klock when they were all under 35, there are future legends represented in the gallery this year."

At the show’s meet and greet for the builders, media, and industry leaders, Lichter interviewed a number of the young artists on the platforms gracing their creations. The enthusiasm of the new generation of builders and artists was palpable and infectious.

In addition to the large number of journalists at the event, a fair number of celebrities were in attendance at the Buffalo Chip’s purpose-built 7,000 square foot gallery. Motorcycle lover, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers studied the creations. Academy Award nominated actor, Tom Berenger, also enjoyed the show.

Doobie Brothers singer Patrick Simmons and actor Tom Berenger at the Motorcycles as Art show

Doobie Brothers singer Patrick Simmons (center) and actor Tom Berenger (right) chat at the show

However, the biggest buzz was created when Harley-Davidson innovator and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Willie G. Davidson showed up to chat with the builders and see the designs. The smiling and charismatic motorcycle industry legend was clearly impressed by the builders that will certainly help usher in the new era of custom motorcycle design.

The unbridled creativity of the young builders was evident in every sinew of the richly diverse moto-art on display at the Old Iron – Young Blood show. The featured builds ran the exciting gamut of build styles, donor bikes, and motorcycle genres.

In the end, the Motorcycles as Art show is all about the builders and their creations. Take a look at the extensive photo gallery below to see the depth and breadth of the talent of the young builders featured this year.

Photos courtesy Tim Kessel