2014 Annual “Motorcycle As Art” Sturgis Exhibition At The Buffalo Chip Is “Built For Speed”

BuiltForSpeedbisThe 15th annual Sturgis “Motorcycles as Art” exhibition has for title “Built for Speed” and will be co-curated for the second year in a row by photographer Michael Lichter and  Vintagent blogger Paul D’orleans. The exhibit held at the Buffalo Chip will showcase 35 custom motorcycles from around the world (as far away as Japan and Switzerland) with some connection to speed and racing.

‘Built for Speed’ will “WOW” visitors with a beautiful and thought-provoking display of motorcycles and related art, our race-inspired theme making connections between between motorcycle racing and custom bike designs inspired by racers. Each custom bike in ‘Built for Speed’ reflects a branch of racing; Speedway, Flat Track, Drag Racing, Board Track, Grand Prix, Land Speed Record, and will be displayed beside the racing machines suggesting the origins of each style. On the walls surrounding these awesome bike will be race-themed painting, photography, helmets and prints by artists equally inspired by competition motorcycles in action.

The 35 motorcycles in ‘Built for Speed’ include customs by long established and emerging builders, side by side with factory-loaned machines. Builder sending bikes include Alan Stulberg, Arlen Ness, Atomic Trent Schara, Bill Dodge, Bill Rodencal, Brad Richards, Brandon Holstein, Brian Klock, Dan “Bacon” Carr, Dan Rognsvoog, Danny Schneider (Switzerland), Jason Paul Michaels, John Reed, Kenji “Ken” Nagai (Japan), Kevin Baas, Kirk Taylor, Matt Olsen, Nate Jacobs, Pat Patterson, Paul Cox, Paul Wideman, Roland Sands, Skeeter Todd, Tator Gilmore, Warren Lane and Zach Ness.

buffalo-chip-logoFactory-built machines include a custom Street 750 from the Harley-Davidson design department, Indian’s “Spirit of Munro” streamliner and a Land Speed Racer from Confederate Motorcycles alongside Icon’s “Iron Lung” road racer, George Smith’s “Tramp” (replica) from S&S, Deus Ex Machina Buell Bully and Clem Johnson’s original Vincent “Barn Job” from John Stein. Artists on the walls include Darren McKeag, David Uhl, Eric Hermann, Jeff Nobles, Michael Lichter, Paul d’Orleans, Richie Pan, Scott Jacobs, Scott Takes, Tom Fritz, Trish Horstman and an all new “21 Helmets” display from SeeSee Motor-Coffee in Portland.

Entry to the Buffalo Chip’s 7,000’ purpose-built Michael Lichter art gallery is FREE and this year, hours have been extended, from 2 pm into the evening concert hours of 10 pm. The show opens on Saturday August 2 and closes Friday night August 9. To find the gallery, head to the Buffalo Chip and turn east on Alkali Road; go to the EAST entrance. The gallery is next to the EAST entrance and does not require a ticket to enter.

A special thanks to the ‘Motorcycle as Art’ industry sponsors Ace Cafe Orlando, Avon Tires, Baker Drivetrain, Burly Brand, Carhartt, Crusher Exhaust, Hot Leathers, Icon Motorsports, J&P, Keyboard Motorcycle Shipping, Kuryakyn, Motor Bike Expo Italy, Mustang Seats, Progressive Suspension, Tucker Rocky / Biker’s Choice and S&S Cycle.

4 Responses to “2014 Annual “Motorcycle As Art” Sturgis Exhibition At The Buffalo Chip Is “Built For Speed””


  1. 1 Ronnie Jun 18th, 2014 at 10:51 am

    It’s a great exhibit of custom bikes. Have been visiting these last 3 years.

  2. 2 Dante Jun 18th, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Is this out in the new “Crossroads” (free) area or somewhere else?

  3. 3 Jeffrey Brand Jun 18th, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Dante. No. Entrance is exactly on the opposite side of the Buffalo Chip (where is parking for music concerts)

  4. 4 Bean're Jun 23rd, 2014 at 8:21 am

    Michael’s exhibits has been the highlight to my Sturgis experience for 10+ years now and it gets better every year especially after moving it from the Rapid City Museum to his own complex at The Buffalo Chip Campground.

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Cyril Huze