Getting students more involved with the motorcycle industry, giving them a real-world experience while promoting economic development in the state of South Dakota are the objectives of the Buffalo Chip Challenge. This year, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, along with leading industry businesses, including Black Hills Harley-Davidson, Terry Components and Hot Leathers, is challenging Western Dakota Tech’s Welding, Manufacturing and Collision Repair students to build a custom motorcycle to develop skills and knowledge they can use to enhance their employability upon graduation.
Students will learn the techniques used to fabricate, customize and finish a stock Road King graciously donated by Black Hills Harley-Davidson. Also, world-class parts will be donated for the build by Corbin Seats, Dakota Digital, Inc., Dakota V-Twin, Dimension Custom Paint & Body, Hawg Halters, Inc., K & G Cycles, LLC, Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, Legend Air Suspension, RC Components, Inc. and Sinister Industries.
Students participating in the Buffalo Chip Challenge will not only have the advantage of state-of-the-art facilities, a new motorcycle and world-class parts for the build, they will have the dedicated support and experience of a motorcycle industry veteran, Keith Terry of Terry Components. Terry has run a successful motorcycle aftermarket business for more than three decades and is part of a growing number of business owners who have moved their operations to western South Dakota. The finished Buffalo Chip Challenge motorcycle will be auctioned to help sponsor the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s annual Legends Ride, which has given more than $200,000 to local Black Hills charities in just four years.
“The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is proud to champion programs that provide students with expanded opportunities in the motorcycle industry. Our goal is to provide these students with the skills they need to become great technicians in the South Dakota workforce,” said Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “This dynamic partnership between business and technical education has been a huge success due to the collective efforts of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and leading motorcycle industry businesses. We know our students are up for the challenge of building another world-class custom bike alongside Keith Terry. We look forward to the debut of the finished bike at our graduation ceremony in early May,” said Dr. Craig Bailey, WDT president.
The public is invited to follow the build online on Facebook where pictures and video content of the Buffalo Chip Challenge will be published.
What a great project. Can’t wait to see what the students can create!
Best of luck to Keith and all the students at Western Dakota Tech! Building a bike alongside Keith and the rest of the Hamsters, would be similar to a young college linebacker learning to play the position from Ray Lewis! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
What a cool project for the kids. I wish it would have been available when I went to WDT. Can’t wait to see the bike on graduation day. Good Luck!
Damn, 3 years, really!? Sounds Brilliant, empowering the hands of the little guys, those who truly want it, love it and are willing to build it.
What a cool way to learn! Great to see these kinds of collaborations supporting the students and sharing the passion of our industry with the next generation.
What a great opportunity for the students at WDT…I agree with Captain Awsome, opportunities to learn from one of the best (Keith Terry) do not come around often. Can’t wait to see the final result!