The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis is the crowning event of a year-long cycle of Official 'Affiliate' Custom Bike Championships that are staged in fifteen countries--events that draw in excess of 1.3 million visitors.
The 2008 World Championship displayed 68 of the best engineered custom motorcycles from 19 states and 12 countries in Champions Hall. This year the event is expecting to bring bikes from a record number of countries.
With four classes of motorcycles being judged, the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building has something to offer every visitor to Champions Hall. Each class brings its own unique twist on the motorcycle industry and is the basis on which each bike is judged.
Freestyle Modified Harley Production Bike Metric
2008 World Champion: Goldammer Cycle Works Ltd, Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA
The Freestyle Class is just that, free of constraints and directive. It is, in effect, an anything goes, no holds barred collection of custom motorcycles. Any type, style, engine configuration, color, graphic or design can be entered in the Freestyle Class. The WORLD CHAMPION is chosen from this class of entries and it is here that the builders really must bring their “A” game in order to not just win but to even place high in the order of bikes entered. It’s the cream of the crop, the best of the best, all entered into Freestyle.
As the winner of the 2008 AMD Official World Championship of Custom Building® Freestyle Class, Roger Goldammer received the coveted World Champions Ring. The 2008 ring was custom designed for the Championship by Stamper Jewelry, Inc, The Stamper facility is located in Rapid City, South Dakota at 7201 S Highway 16.
When you are heading south on Highway 16 from Rapid City to see Mt Rushmore or other sights, you'll want stop in the Stamper Jewelry. This year they are celebrating their 50th business anniversary, and celebrating their 25th year of manufacturing Harley-Davidson jewelry.
2008 Modified Harley Winner: Eastern Fabrications, Bradford, Connecticut USA
The Modified Harley-Davidson Class harkens back to the days when customizers did their own work, without the benefit of aftermarket frames and engines. To be considered for the category, the motorcycle must have and be based on an original equipment Harley-Davison engine and frame. Any amount of modification is allowed but the motorcycle had to begin life as a Harley.
2008 Production Bike Winner: Delaware American Motors, Paterson, New Jersey, USA
The Production Class sees the many production manufacturers from around the world enter their creations for not only judging against their peers but also for you to be able to shop and see the latest each company has to offer the general public. It also offers the manufacturers the opportunity to showcase the next generation of production bikes you may see on the dealer floors. The Production Class has seen entries from well known brands such as Big Bear Choppers, Swift Motorcycle Co. and OCC Motorcycles just to name a few.
2008 Metric Winner: AFT Customs, Martel, California USA
Last but certainly not least, the Metric Class brings some of the innovators in using metric based parts and components to Sturgis and Champions Hall. With metric cruisers growing in popularity, this class represents the extremes that can be achieved using metric componetry. Past winners and entrants have included Jesse Rooke, Roger Goldammer and Scott Britt.
The World Championship is judged by the competitors themselves. Here is Steve Broyles Sr. of Stevenson's Cycle during the judgment process.
Judging at the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building is based not on a certain set of criteria but is formed on the basis of peer group review. Each builder entered into the World Championship judges the bikes of the other competitors and the votes are tallied at the end of the event. The best person to judge another bike is a builder. The competitor with the most total points wins and becomes the “Official World Champion Custom Bike Builder” for the year.
For more information on the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building held during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally visit www.AMDChampionship.com
