Read Article - Legends Ride

BY
WAYNE SCRABA •
PHOTOS BY
KEVIN EILBECK
The Buffalo Chip
raises the bar!
76 • AMERICAN IRON MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2010
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SEPTEMBER 2010 • AMERICAN IRON MAGAZINE •
77
IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD OF THE ANNUAL
the ante. Here’s how: instead of simply
commissioning a custom bike build, and
then auctioning it off for the big charity
fundraiser, the Buffalo Chip folks decided
to take a different path for 2010. What
they did was hook up with Western
Dakota Tech (Rapid City). Western
Dakota Tech is the only technical institute
that serves the vast western South Dakota
region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including manufacturing and mechanical trades, one of which is welding. The
idea was to get a group of students in the Welding Manufacturing program to build the bike. Can a group of young guys
with plenty of drive and good equipment, but not too much
motorcycle building experience, pull it off?
What they needed was a
skilled custom-bike builder to
not only guide the students
through the build, but also
instruct them on custom
motorcycle construction.
Enter Michael Prugh of Prugh
Design, also located in Rapid
City. Now it just so happens
that Prugh’s designs (and
builds) all lean toward
Legends Ride during the Sturgis rally, you must be
living under a rock. It’s one of (if not the ) biggest
charity events held at the annual motorcycle shaker.
To give you the CliffsNotes review, the ride is pretty much a
colossal get-together where more than 500 motorcycling superstars, entertainment celebrities, local dignitaries, business people, media, and average Joes like you and me get together for a
good time, a great ride, and
simultaneously raise (considerable) money for an equally
great cause. How considerable
is considerable? The inaugural
ride in 2008 raised $38,000
for charity while the second
ride, in 2009, raised a whopping $61,000. This year, the
folks from the Legendary
Buffalo Chip campground
(the driving force behind the
Legends Ride) decided to up
TECH
SHEET
Owner: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Buffalo Chip Campground
Builder: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Students, Western Dakota Tech (WDT)
Designer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Prugh, Prugh Design
Year/model: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2010 Legend Ride
Time to build: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 weeks
Polisher: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marshall Nix, Black Hills Plating and Polishing
Painter: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT
Color: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prugh Gold
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS 120" Twin Cam A
Builder: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Hills Harley-Davidson
Displacement: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120"
Horsepower: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Cases: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS
Flywheels: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS
Connecting rods: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS forged 4340 steel
Cylinders: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS 4.125"
Pistons: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS 10:1
Heads: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS
Cams: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS .635" lift
Lifters: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS
Pushrods: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS tapered
Carb: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51mm CV
Air cleaner: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Exhaust: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Ignition: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Thunder Heart
Coils: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crane Single Fire
Wires: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ACCEL 5mm
Oil pump: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Screamin’ Eagle JIMS
Primary cover: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BDL
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Transmission: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harley-Davidson FXST five-speed
Gears: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stock
Clutch: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BDL
Primary drive: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BDL 2" belt
Final drive: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Performance Machine 48-tooth sprocket
CHASSIS
Frame: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New York City Choppers rigid
Rake: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 degrees
Front forks: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1984 Sportster
Front wheel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Performance Machine Hooligan 2.15-21"
Rear wheel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Performance Machine Hooligan 5.50-18"
Front brake: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JayBrake six-piston Extreme caliper
Rear brake: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JayBrake four-piston Extreme caliper
Front tire: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Metzeler 90/90-21"
Rear tire: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Metzeler 200/50-18"
Rear fender: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jim Nasi Customs blank
Fender struts: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
ACC E SSO R I E S
Headlight: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6" H-D Springer
Taillight: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Fuel tank: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design/WCC Villain
Oil tank: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Handlebars: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Seat: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Pegs: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance Machine Contour
License bracket: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WDT/Prugh Design
Mirrors: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JayBrake
Hand controls: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JayBrake
Foot controls: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JayBrake
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simplicity, with a major element of cohesiveness stirred into the
mix. Essentially, Michael works from the less-is-more premise,
and his unified approach shows in custom motorcycles where
every part matches something else. The bottom line here is,
Michael is a skilled industrial designer who happens to build
some pretty cool motorcycles. He’s also youthful and a good
communicator. That meant he was perfect for the task of ramrodding the 2K10 Legends Ride bike project with the student
group from Western Dakota Tech. Michael agreed to the challenge and volunteered his time, effectively becoming the professor of custom bike construction at WDT. Michael met with
the students at least twice a week, providing classroom instruction along with hands-on guidance as the bike took shape.
Because time was a factor (the project began in the spring
semester), the team decided to take a series of readily available
parts and modify them to fit Prugh’s design. That’s where Black
Hills Harley-Davidson entered the equation. It kicked in hardware in excess of $15,000, including a complete 120" JIMS
thumper. Not only was the charitable cause worthy, the folks
from Black Hills Harley-Davidson understood the importance
of training new technicians and fabricators for the custom
motorcycle industry.
What about the bike? What Prugh and the students from
Western Dakota Tech began with is a rigid frame from New
York City Choppers. The geometry was rather conventional at
80 • AMERICAN IRON MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2010
30 degrees of rake with zero stretch. Remember, simplicity is the
key and also one of Michael Prugh’s calling cards. And like other
Legends build bikes, the idea was to construct something that
was utterly ridable. Up front the team added a set of forks from
a 1984 Sportster, coupled with a 2.15-21" Performance Machine
Hooligan wheel with a matching 5.50-18" Hooligan hoop on the
back. Both ends are wrapped with Metzeler rubber: a 90/90-21"
on the nose and a 200/50-18" in the rear.
The tank is a store-bought piece from West Coast Choppers,
but Prugh had the WDT students cut out the bottom and
reconfigure the base. The idea was to drop the tank so that it
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hugged the top of the Big Twin. Handlebars, oil bag, seat, and
taillight are all custom-fabbed bits from the WDT-Prugh collaboration. The back fender was fabbed from a Jim Nasi blank.
The front runs fenderless. Providing the “whoa” power is a set of
JayBrake calipers and rotors: a six-piston job out front and a
four-piston model in the back.
So far so good. It began as a relatively basic build, but thanks
to the folks from Black Hills H-D, the power plant is anything
but basic. As pointed out previously, the grunt is provided by a
large 120" JIMS Twin Cam. These are monster motors with a
capital M. The bore size is a huge 4-1/4" coupled with a 4-1/2"
stroke. The camshaft has a valve lift of .635" and it all breathes
through honking 2.08" intake valves. A 10:1 compression ratio
keeps the engine streetable and operates on 91-octane fuel.
You’re pretty much guaranteed the thing will rip. It produces a
whopping 125 hp along with 121 ft-lbs. of torque. Backing the
big, Big Twin is a classic Harley-Davidson FXST five-speed
gearbox, hooked up with a 2" BDL belt drive setup. A matching BDL clutch is included in the mix, while the final drive is
a chain setup complete with a 48-tooth Performance
Machine sprocket.
Once the bike was mocked up, the Western
Dakota Tech bunch, led by Prugh, blew it
apart and spayed it Prugh Gold. Black
Hills Plating and Polishing handled the bright work. Included
in the final assembly were
JayBrake-supplied con-
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trols and mirrors along with a set of PM Contour pegs. The
headlight is a traditional 6"-diameter job from a Harley Springer,
while the seat is a coalition-fabricated piece.
It’s easy to see from the accompanying photos the team built
a drop-dead gorgeous motorcycle. It goes to show what a group
of talented young guys can build when they’re pointed in the
right direction and have access to the right tools, not to mention
mentors such as Luke Steinmets, lead welding instructor, and
Jeremy Schunneman, welding instructor of WDT. It’s truly an
extraordinary combination. But that’s not the end of it.
The Buffalo Chip’s 2k10 Challenge finale was set for May 15,
2010, which also happens to be Western Dakota Tech’s graduation day. Students debuted the motorcycle at a special ceremony,
and the work will again be showcased on the largest stage in
motorcycling at the Legendary Buffalo Chip during the annual
2010 Sturgis Rally. The actual Legends Ride culminates at a live
auction where works from a number of renowned artists are featured along with this motorcycle. All of the proceeds from both
the ride and the auction go directly to two separate Sturgis-area
charities: The Children’s Home Society and the Sturgis
Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Everyone who participates
in the ride receives an official ride shirt, as well as a jam-packed
goodie-bag topped with merchandise courtesy of Legends Ride
sponsors. Once you add in a free concert party, a preride reception, and other hot-ticket trimmings it’s easy to see why the
Legends Ride is fast becoming a highlight of the Sturgis Rally.
AIM
SEPTEMBER 2010 • AMERICAN IRON MAGAZINE •
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