Tribal Motorworks Unveils Student-Built Bike For Charity Raffle
After more than a year of coaching, Tribal Motorworks proudly announces the completion of the student-built Schoolyard Motorworks bike. Tribal Motorworks sponsored the revolutionary educational partnership with a local school district. Students at Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District's Career-Tech Center (CTC) in Traverse City, MI, collaborated with Tribal Motorworks to design, build, and market the professional-quality candy-red and black bobber.
Thanks to many industry sponsors, the students were able construct a bike with extremely high-quality parts. Kendall Johnson provided the 114ci engine, while S&S supplied the carburetor, and Baker Driveline provided the five-speed transmission. Many of the unique accessories were custom-made by Tribal Motorworks and the students, including the exhaust, handlebars, fender, fuel and oil tanks, and the seat pan. Other generous organizations that donated parts for the bike project include the following: Dyna/CDI, Belt Drives Ltd., Santee 200 Series Rigid, American Wire Wheel, Excel Components, and Avon.
Beginning in the fall of 2004, with the help of Tribal Motorworks builders Kip and Don Watkins, students from several curricula executed the design, fabrication, assembly, and finish work on the bike. Kip is a graduate of the CTC high school program, and it was he who was inspired to offer students the opportunity for a hands-on bike-build experience. Throughout the project, Kip consulted with students weekly to coach them through a professional build process.
The grand unveiling of the bike took place at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, OH, at the Tribal Motorworks display booth. Next, the bike will compete at the 2006 Detroit Autorama, an annual competition for custom cars and motorcycles at which many of the Midwest's most high-profile builders vie for awards based on design and creativity.
Following the Autorama competition, the bike will return to northern Michigan for a charity raffle. Proceeds from the raffle of the bike will be donated to the Father Fred Foundation to benefit needy families in the northern Michigan community. The Father Fred Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves the needs of the poor and those temporarily down on their luck. The faith-based program serves approximately 200 families per week throughout a five-county area in northern Michigan with assistance with food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and money for bills.
The students are managing the bike raffle, and tickets are currently available for $50. The drawing will take place on May 19, 2006. Only 1,500 raffle tickets will be sold. For additional ticket information, interested parties may call (231) 922-6273.