For the past few months, members from YFS Girls Inc. (Youth And Family Services) have been working on designing and rebuilding a 2012 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, donated by Black Hills Harley Davidson, as part of the fun and exciting “Helping with HorsepowerTM Bike Rebuild Program”. The program utilizes a motorcycle as an effective tool to teach life lessons such as team work, self-confidence, problem solving, and self-esteem, through hands on learning and instruction. The 21 Girls Inc. members— all between the ages of 9-11— who participated in the program also learned about tools, motorcycle parts, mechanics, and design.
The project began in late January when each of the girls used their creativity and imaginations to come up with a design for the bike. After spending a couple of weeks drafting designs, the group of girls voted on their favorite concept, Phoenix. With a concept for the bike in mind, the girls worked motorcycle designer Michael Prugh, to prepare the design concept that was originally done on a coloring sheet for painting. The girls also chose new parts that would add a customized element to the motorcycle. These parts, from new exhaust pipes to handle grips, add a personal element that truly makes Phoenix unique. Throughout the duration of the project, the girls were also given the unique opportunity to meet professionals within this line of work.
The bike will be on display at Black Hills Harley Davidson during the Sturgis Rally on the Biker Belles ride, Tuesday, August 6th which starts at the Lodge in Deadwood and ends at the Buffalo Chip Campground. Raffle tickets for the bike are being sold for $20 each or 3 for $50 all summer long. On October 3, the winner of the motorcycle will be announced. Please call 605-341-4195 or visit Youth And Family Services or their blog at YFS Girls Inc. (photos provided by American Bagger Mag.)
proceeds from ticket sales should bring in approximately half what the bike was originally worth before customization, but hey it’s all about the kids, right?
It seems that the black hills are even using little kids to promote sucking as much money from attendees at bike week as humanly possible. Give where you live.
wow rebel and rodent, what every happened to you is in the past. Try to let it go…..
Looks like these girls did a great job and learned a little something along the way. GREAT JOB!!!
Women make great mechanics and customizers,go girls.A way better learning experience for them than a degree in static nintendoism theory and pelvis padding prosperity via potato plenishing.
Good job girls. Keep up the good work.
Being able to fix things mechanical and working with your hands seems like it’s becoming a dying art for the younger crowd. I’m all for computers and how they’ve helped make things better in most instances, but you need to know how to fix the mechanics of things when it’s not computer related.
Teaching kids shop, metal work, woodwork, machine use is wonderful. Using kids to hustle a raffle if it isn’t. it should be illegal!
Rodent,go to their websites and see what this mob does.The girls did more than just cute up the photos for raffle sales.The org seems to do a lot of good things for young potential humans.I’m as dark as a dead dog’s gut,but you need to lighten up a little.
This is a fantastic initiative. I’d be proud to have my daughter take part if she had any inclination in that direction. Way better to have kids using their hands and learning problem solving skills than vegging out in front of the TV or rotting their brains with computer games!
If you think education is expensive, consider the concequences of ignorance.
It’s a big world out there, and these girls have gotten a glimpse of some of the possibilities. Think of all the unmotivated kids who could benefit from something like this. This is a good thing!
Have to agree with Jezza! Wish I did this at that age!
This is a great thing, teaching kids how to do this kind of work is an A+ in my book, most kids today can not put their i-phones down long enough to pay attention , and if the phone cant tell them what to do they are lost.. I really wonder about the future of this world.GREAT JOB GIRLS !!!!
Very cool. Alot of hands in that build, I’d check all the fasteners one more time, ha ha.
I donlt agree with Terrence Tory a lot & I understand Rodent’s point
but I’m with the majority on this one, it’s a VERY cool project .
Anything that gives young women a choice in what they do & is educational too
is a winner in my book…..
More power to them & Kudos to the adults and industry folk who help them.
Right On Girl Power !!!!!!
Hmmmmmmm……..
RE:
“…life lessons such as team work, self-confidence, problem solving, and self-esteem…”
Wouldn’t all that play better against the backdrop of a track-day sport bike, instead of a bar-hopping cruiser…..???
It might be a taste early to be introducing those bright young faces to the images on down town Sturgis…
Lets face it the wannna-be “property of a 1%” life style has “self-esteem” issues written all over it.
Just a thought
-nicker-