Baggers Kill It @ 2015 J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder in MN

The Minneapolis edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show hit town on Friday, February 6th with the weather so warm that builders were pushing their bikes in with their short sleeves on.

Who knew these crazy Minnesotans would think 34 degrees would be considered warm?

Enthusiast jammed the Progressive® International Motorcycle Show the entire 3-days and were treated to cutting-edge Baggers and old-school bobbers and choppers.

The first award handed out was the People’s Choice award and it went to Deadline Customs. This big wheel bagger greeted the enthusiasts at the front door of the convention center and continued to arrest their attention and created a traffic jam all 3 days of the show. Dana Halberg, Owner, left the Minneapolis competition with a Special Ops vest from 5 Ball Racing Leathers and a Custom 500 lid from Bell Helmets.

The Show Dog Award is provided to the builder that engages with enthusiasts and works the hardest to further their business. There were many contenders but William Lawson won the award. He was showcasing his all-wheel-drive motorcycle. For his efforts he took home The Leatherworks Inc. solo bag.

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner: FreeStyle Class
The People’s Choice winner was also the builder’s winner. Dana Halberg of Deadline Customs rolled in Sinner, a 2011 Road King, and you knew the first time you saw the matte white 30 inch wheel Bagger that it was a contender. Money spent 6 weeks with a pencil creating the “7 Deadly Sins” and Dana took care of the white and matte clear coat. The performance improvements included a Trask Turbo.

1. Dana Halberg, Deadline Customs – Sinner, 2011 Road King
2. Katie Washnock, Blackout Motors Custom Bikes – Pearl, 2014 Chopper

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Winner: MOD Custom Class
Brian Klock is a man on a mission. Over the weekend he was at the VTwin Expo, on the Progressive Stage with Pat Jansen for interviews and took the win in MOD Custom with his 2014 Indian Vintage. The bike, “872”, features diamond cut heads and cylinders, stretched tanks, hard bags, Klockwerks bars, chrome hardware and Ridewright wheels.

1. Brian Klock, Klockwerks – 872, 2014 Indian Vintage
2. TJ Hilger, TJ Customs – Ornage Crush, 2011 Road Glide

J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder: Retro MOD Winner
“Watermelon” Pete Mason brought in his 1940 H-D Knucklehead and took the win in the Retro MOD class by edging out Chad Pearson’s Panhead by a single point. The bike looks outstanding with its slammed style and flamed paint job. Watermelon Pete’s ‘Earl’ modified bobber featured a stock frame teamed to a stock 61 cubic-inch engine. Paint was applied by Micheal Geltz.

1. Watermelon Pete Mason – Earl, 1940 H-D Knucklehead
2. Chad Pearson, Pearson Customs – Brenda Leigh – 1957 Panhead Chopper

Throughout the weekend builders were interviewed on the Progressive stage and on the red carpet next to their custom sleds. Interviews are located at custombikeshows.com and on the Ultimate Builder facebook page.

Three classes, FreeStyle, Retro MOD and MOD Custom, are presented at each of the J&P Cycle’s Ultimate Builder competition. The bikes are sourced from the local builder community and each show has a unique selection of custom bikes. Retro MOD bikes are motorcycles older than 1984. You are only limited by your imagination with FreeStyle bikes. And bikes retaining the frame cradle and OEM engine cases are slotted into the MOD Custom class.

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows rolls into 11 cities across the nation. The nationwide motorcycle extravaganza has something for every powersports lifestyle and fan. Besides the nation’s largest custom bike show, it’s the best place to experience the latest in gear, aftermarket parts and accessories. You can see the all-new models from major manufacturers and enjoy rider seminars at the main stage and much, much more. The J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is produced by custombikeshows.com.

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