The Sturgis Rally saw Indian Motorcycle unveil the final three custom builds from its ‘Wrench: Scout Bobber Build Off’ at the legendary Buffalo Chip.
The domestic U.S. custom motorcycle competition, which was designed to spotlight non-professional builders who wrench for the passion and not the pay, saw the three finalists awarded with a 2018 Indian Scout Bobber and a $10,000 build budget.
Each builder had three months to turn their stock motorcycle in to one-off works of custom motorcycle art.
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| Alfredo Juarez: “This experience has been amazing inside and out. It’s been a huge blessing for myself and my family. I’m proud of the final product, not only for all the work I’ve put into it, but for all the work my family has put in and the sacrifices they have made to allow me to focus on this over the last three months. My dad’s time and support on this project has allowed my daughter to spend quality time with her grandpa. My wife painted the tank, which she’s never done before, but we had all the confidence considering her creative talents. My family and I are so very thankful for this opportunity and we’d like to thank all those involved on making this dream a reality.” |
A judging panel of professional builders and experts, including Roland Sands, Satya Kraus, Jason Paul Michaels and Hot Bike Editor-in-Chief Jordan Mastagni selected 12 semi-finalists from more than 100 submissions.
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| Christian Newman: “This experience is sort of surreal because it put me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to work with less of a budgetary constraint, as I always build bikes with my own cash. It’s flattering that I was chosen and I am very thankful. I was a little apprehensive about my build when it first began. I’m not used to using a largely unmodified frame or motor, so I was worried that the bike wouldn’t feel like I’d done anything significant, but I’ve wound up replacing almost every piece on it besides those two major components, so it really feels like mine.” |
Each semi-finalist was showcased online for a fan vote to determine the three finalists. After viewing sketches and renderings, the fan-favorites that arose included a NASA engineer from Las Cruces, NM, an OSHA safety inspector from Avon, OH, and a mechanical engineer from Buffalo, NY.
“These builders blew us away with their commitment to the program, their build and overall finished product,” said Reid Wilson, Senior Director for Indian Motorcycle. “Each one of them made significant sacrifices and adjustments to their daily lives. They put in countless hours, long nights and a ton of work to meet the deadline. We cannot thank them enough for their time, energy and investment into the program.”
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| PJ Grakauskas: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be building a custom motorcycle for such a great company with a storied history. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent us little guys working in their small garages and sheds. I am truly humbled by the whole experience. So many thanks need to go out to so many friends and family, but most importantly my supportive wife, Lauren! Looking forward to putting a ton of miles on this fun machine.” |
The three finished Scout Bobber custom motorcycles are currently showcased on IndianMotorcycle.com. Fans have until August 16th to vote for their favorite and help select the grand prize winner, who will be announced via social media on August 21st.