Builders, riders attend informative workshops and meet with one of the Masters Ron Finch
(L toR) Jeff Starke, IMBBA president, Johnny Lange from Strip Club Choppers and Dan Penrose, from Back Street Choppers attend IMBBA workshop
Chatham, MI - The Porcupine Bash 2011 was miles from the event it was last year. This year, Robin and Mike out did themselves with a great Bash! From August 25-28th the event was filled with motorcycle riding events, live music, featuring the Dan Lawson Band and a host of vendors and campsites. Inviting IMBBA and hosting the IMBBA Builders Workshop, this year was an added value to the Bash. IMBBA held its workshops to builders and riders who were interested in learning about bike building and what the judges look for during bike show competitions. the workshop, coached by IMBBA president, Jeff Starke, who held two workshops per day and worked with over a dozen interested builders and riders. Johnny Lange, from Strip Club Choppers and Dan Penrose from Backstreet Cycles, Ironwood, MI. were the first to attend.
Photos courtsey of: Jack McIntyre, Bikerpic's.org IMBBA's offical staff photographer
The workshops covered the IMBBA points system for judging bikes, with an introduction to using those points and applying them to the builder towards a global certification in bike building. After the workshop lecture, The second part of the workshop included a tour with Master Judge, Jeff Starke on how IMBBA judges a bike and what points to look out for. In addition, an added feature included Ron Finch, who personally worked with the builder and critiqued their individual bike from a true Masters standpoint.
Jeff & Dan go over one of Dan's builds built by his shop Back Street Cycles
The workshop, the personal attention and watching the judge, judge and narrate the judging to the builder was most effective and helpful, but the real pleasure of the workshop was when Ron Finch, IMBBA certified Master Bike Builder Level II and Hall of Fame Builder took the time to go over the same bike with Dan and discuss from Ron Finch"s point of view and professional assessment of the build was.
Ron Finch describes and illustrates the art of bike building
Dan takes in Ron Finch's tips
IMBBA held workshops over the course of the three days of activities to over a dozen of interested builders/riders. This simply isn't being done in the industry. The secret handshake or the means of withholding knowledge or even safe guarding it to a degree others have to learn from trial and error is being overcome.
"Holding workshops at IMBBA bike shows and events is proving to be priceless to builders, whose egos, are in check and seriously want to know how to build a bike that meets IMBBA standards of fit, form, function and safety". said IMBBA president, Jeff Starke.
The Porcupine Press Bash 2011, hosting IMBBA's workshops will prove to be a value when builders get invited next year for an IMBBA judged bike show at Bash 2012. To Mike and Robin of the Porcupine Press, IMBBA is greatfull for the opportunity and provided a venue for builders to grow. Can't wait! Next year is going to be bigger and better. Although, tuff to truly say that, this year at the Bash, was a great time. the weather and riding places that have heaven's landscape brush painting the roads was truly worth coming to the UP for.
