WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL MASTER BIKE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION!

Jacksonville, Fl. -  Northern Italy's, Roberto "Rombo" Favre, arrived in America the first week of December, for a three week long stay with IMBBA President, Jeff Starke.  Rombo, having his own bike shop in Italy, and a  second generation of bike builders and customizer's, attended a private session with a number of builders in America and to bear witness of Italian know how, in repairing and building motorcycles. Italy and IMBBA language barriers, were soon diminished in training Rombo, towards certification when it became apparent through demonstrations that Rombo was well on his way to becoming Italy's next generation of bike Builders. 
    

Rombo, attended private classes with Jeff Starke, daily,working both on English and motorcycle  terminology, then, spent the afternoons in theory and hands on applications, where Rombo, removed an engine from a Honda Superhawk and repaired the broken rocker arm bolts, along with fuel injection and diagnostics on a Suzuki GSR1000, to welding and repairing a broken frame on a Honda V45. He also mounted tires, and stripped to the frame an Electra Glide in preparation for powder coating. 
     The education courses, continued using IMBBA endorsed Fundamentals 101 course, from Chopper Institute of America, a education course that is now used in several high-school and post secondary schools in the USA and Canada that help students in their future career by learning the trade of motorcycle building.

     It was apparent that Rombo had many levels of bike building experience with owning his own bike shop in Italy for the last 2 and a half years, certainly paid off. Especially when, it came time to translations from Italian to English and back again, drawing pictures when English or Italian language was not identifiable, helped IMBBA to understand the barriers that need to be overcome in creating a global standard of certifications. So, the trip was enlightening and beneficial for both countries.

     Then it was off to South Carolina to meet up with IMBBA Master Bike Builder Level II, Lee Wimmer, at Wimmer Machine, who, with his crew, spent their day off and opened the shop for Rombo to undergo more training. Lee, tossed a frame to Rombo and told him to fill the holes by welding. and we watched to see his fabrication and welding knowledge go to work, doing an excellent job. Then, Chuck Oberg, Lee's right hand man at the shop instructed Rombo on all the machinery and operations. Rombo, also got some time to talk with Josh Ladd, a recent graduate of PSI working at Lee's shop and discover the USA next generation of Bike Builders points and view.. Lee's hospitality and knowledge greatly effected Rombo and many discussions and lessons learned were achieved.
   

Next, Rombo was off to St. Petersburg, Florida for an afternoon of discussion and training from Steve Galvin, builder of the famous Area 51 bike.  Here, Rombo, was able to see many means of fabrication and inventiveness in the construction of Steve's Dragon bike. While, Steve was working on the World Cup Completion bike, we were not permitted to photo or tell anyone of the nature of his newest creation. But, it was outrageous and Rombo marveled at the quality and workmanship.

     Once back to Jacksonville, His final testing was completed and he earned his IMBBA certification for "Technician" Level I. becoming Italy's first certified Technician. IMBBA found Rombo's trip to America beneficial and helpful in supporting Italy as they join the global community of Bike Builders.

Before returning to Italy on the 21st of December, Rombo was able to take a tour of WYO-Tech motorcycle institute in Ormond Beach, Fl and spend several hours at Universal Studios enjoying a good olde fashion  taste of American Capitalism at it's best.