Sponsored by Bikernet.com, Danial James Fine Art and Easyriders Magazine
This is amazing. We’re kicking off our first Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Raffle effort with the first Prize an original fine art piece based around the 85th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and an amazing motorcycle. There’s way more, including a fully polished and diamond cut 124-inch S&S engine. Let’s get to the story behind the scenes.
First off, all the proceeds scramble directly to the growing Sturgis Motorcycle Museum in the center of town and the crew’s desire to make it world class. The worldwide motorcycle industry deserves it. The town of Sturgis has it coming and the largest motorcycle rally in the world needs a centerpiece packed fulla motorcycle history, racing past, classic motorcycles, and educational programs
This anniversary could be a major turning point for the World’s Largest Motorcycle Rally. The entertainment levels are over the moon, the facilities have grown and expanded, and Sturgis is rapidly becoming the center of the aftermarket and custom industries. Finally, and most importantly the motorcycle racing aspect is exploding.
All these aspects shine a major glow on the future of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and the future of the two-wheeled industry in Sturgis. To keep all the motorcycles in tip-top shape, the staff paid and the desire for improvement fed we needed fundraising programs, and the raffle became the first. The museum board recently expanded with leaders throughout the motorcycle industry and past inductees into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
An active group immediately stepped up to help with the Raffle effort including Danial James, an amazing fine artist. Keith Ball, the president of Bikernet.com for 29 years, and Easyriders Magazine volunteered to help. Even Hugh King the director of the iconic Discovery Channel Biker Build-off TV series blessed our first Raffle. So, let’s take a gander at the team and the elements:
FINE ART CREATOR, DANIAL JAMES
Danial James artistic history is star-studded with connections to Larry Mullen Jr. of U2, the estate of Elvis Presley and Kid Rock to name a few. Danial James is no stranger to the Motorcycle world or the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. When you see someone wearing a Vintage Harley- Davidson T-Shirt, odds are the design was created by Danial James. At some time in the 17 years, he created t-shirt art for the Harley-Davidson factory, he designed and airbrushed art for Triumph and Indian motorcycles. Danial kindly stepped up to offer an original fine art piece based around an iconic chopper and the 85th Rally anniversary
“It’s so cool to walk the streets during the Rally and see thousands of people wearing Harley-Davidson, Indian or Triumph artwork I created. No matter how many times I see someone wearing one of my designs, I always find it humbling knowing they appreciate my artwork enough to wear it,” Danial said while standing in Bandit’s 5-Ball Emporium on Main Street, an exclusive gallery dedicated to his works.
“I met Danial James years ago through my work with the Motorcycle Cannonball,” said Felicia Morgan, associate editor for Easyriders magazine. “The Cannonball promoter, Lonnie Isam, hired Danial to design promotional materials and provide the graphics for posters, logos, t-shirts, etcetera for the historic event he’d started in 2010. As a matter of fact, Danial designed my Motorcycle Cannonball business cards.”
That’s not all! Inspired. Danial James created another fine art piece featuring the King Chopper BBO-X and highlighting every iconic builder who played a hand in the construction. Already some of the builders are rolling in for the 85th Anniversary of the Sturgis Rally. In addition to our Raffle the iconic Chopper is for Sale and all the proceed will go to the Museum.
It’s an historic chopper built during the Discovery Channel Biker Build-off Series heyday. It’s not any chopper. It was specifically built by the ten greatest builders at the time for the Director, Hugh “Chopper” King on the 10th Anniversary of the show.
This iconic chopper with all ten builders’ signatures pinstriped on the sheet metal, will be the subject of a Danial James fine art oil painting or two. The original Art piece will celebrate the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and be the first prize to be drawn at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum on the last day of the 85th anniversary of the magnificent motorcycle packed Rally in Sturgis on the 10th of August, at 2:00 p.m. We may have on hand the original owner and director of the Build-off series, Hugh “the Chopper” King to pull the winning ticket.
The BBO-X HUGH KING CHOPPER
On April 20th, 2004, ten of the world’s greatest bike builders thundered into Laughlin, Nevada. For 72 hours in a secret desert shop, they worked nonstop to create BBO X, a one-off 124-cubic-inch, rigid, right-side drive, black and chrome, spear-like chopper. Then they presented it to Hugh King, producer of Discovery’s Great Biker Build-Off. The geniuses who came together to make this awesome steed were Arlen Ness, Cory Ness, Russell Mitchell, Eddie Trotta, Mitch Bergeron, Kendall Johnson, Matt Hotch, Joe Martin, Chica and Hank Young.
Chica hand fabricated the gas tank. Hank Young made the oil tank. Kendall Johnson was responsible for assembling and tweaking the 124-inch, S&S motor and the Baker 6- speed transmission, Mitch Bergeron was responsible for the frame and the billet down tube (machined with the Roman Numeral X and the Discovery planet), Matt Hotch fabricated the fenders, Joe Martin built the pipes and carefully applied the pin striping, Russell Mitchell and Eddie Trotta built the front end and Arlen Ness and Cory Ness were responsible for the paint and the overall supervision of the project. Many of these talents are coveted members of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
During the final stages of the build, a special guest appeared, legendary seat maker, Danny Gray. He quickly fabricated a black leather seat with a zebra stripped manta ray inset.
On Saturday night, April 24th, before thousands at the Laughlin River Run, BBO X was unveiled and formally presented to Hugh “The Chopper” King.
Each of the ten builders had previously competed in Bike Build-Off episodes successfully. The Chopper King Chopper will be offered for sale during the raffle process and the proceeds will go directly to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The buyer can take ownership just after the celebration at the museum on during the 85th Anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on the 10th of August.
SECOND PRIZE
A completely polished, brand new, high-performance 124-inch, diamond cut S&S engine still in its protective crate. It’s being donated by the owners of Easyriders Magazine Joe and Ellen Teresi. The Hugh King Chopper was featured in the December 2004 issue of Easyriders magazine. Kim Peterson the Editor of In the Wind Magazine wrote the story under his pseudonym, Raider Rider.
Third Prize the Truly Amazing Historic piece of David Mann, Bonneville and an Easyriders History
It’s the first giclee of its kind based on the original art by David Mann in 1990 when Easyriders and the American Biker broke the World Land Speed Record at 322.150 mph and held the record for the Worlds Fastest Motorcycle for 16 years. Watch for the whole wild ride story coming right up.
Danial James kindly printed the one and only giclee on canvas and framed it for the Sturgis Museum Raffle.
Fourth Prize Danial James Chopper King Shop Art
The majestic chopper once again became the centerpiece of a Danial James piece of 85th Anniversary Sturgis Rally art. This piece highlights all the famous builders involved and the garage-built tradition.
Fifth through 15th Prizes May Vary
They will include wild donated items plus, Lifetime and Five-Year Museum memberships, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum special 85th sweatshirts, T-shirts and bling. Hang on, they may feature Danial James grand 85th Anniversary art.
The Bastard Backer Behind the Bountiful Sturgis Museum Raffle Effort
The benefactor behind this first inaugural event, Keith R. Ball, the president of Bikernet.com is connected to all the aspects of this effort. He is the current owner of the Hugh King Chopper. He conceived the Biker Build-off Series during an interview at the Easyriders Columbus, Bike Show (he was the editor at the time). He donated the Bike to be sold during the raffle. Make us an offer and we will present it to the committee. He worked with the Easyriders owners for the S&S Engine and Streamliner art. He begged and pleaded with Danial James to become associated with this endeavor to support the growth of this iconic museum at the epicenter of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Please buy a raffle ticket or 20 and come to the museum during the party, just 10 clams apiece. Check the museum website for ticket offers and associated apparel and bling.
Ah, but there’s one more surprise waiting at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Between Travis Goldsworthy, Keith Ball, Ellen Teresi, Dave Campos, Ron Waldren and Scott Peterson the iconic Easyriders Streamliner will be on exhibit in the Museum during the rally. Don’t Miss it.
All proceeds go directly to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum a 501-C-3 charity. Winner need not be present to claim his or her prize. Slip over to our website to purchase tickets www.SturgisMuseum.com, or the site might not be set up yet. Call Lacey at 605-347-2001. Tell her how many tickets you want and she will take care of you.
–Rufas
Sturgis Museum Shop Mascot
