Metric Thunder Helps Out Chopper High School
Brent Stavig, Metal Instructor of St. Francis High School, St. Francis, MN, heads up Chopper High where his students at are building a Chopper of there own design. They are competing in the 2007 Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge against Kennedy High School at the 2007 Donnie Smith Invitational Bike Show on March 25 and 26th in the Saint Paul’s RiverCentre.
This is the second year for the students to build a bike. Last year’s Chopper was called the Iron Saint, which won the People’s Choice award at the 2006 Donnie Smith Invitational Bike Show.
Before a wrench was turned or a bolt tightened on the competition motorcycle, the 30 students at Chopper High worked on a 50cc mini chopper. They took a trimester practicing different techniques and making the parts for the bike like the a gas tank, handle bars and seat pan.
The program has become a biker community project with individuals and corporations jumping in to help the youths in there journey of developing rolling art.
Choppers Inc. donated a frame, Kokesh Motorcycle is helping the class determine the parts that will work with it. Kevin Lasso, service manager at Zylstra Harley-Davidson, personally donated a Harley-Davidson Shovelhead motor and a four speed transmission. They may use the Shovelhead, however, a large new style V-Twin would be ideal for the project. Matt Hotch Designs has thrown in some parts not to mention several large commitments such as a drive train from R-Max USA by Roadmax and a Thunder Saddle from Metric Thunder .
The class is still looking for assistance in building their custom motorcycle. If you are inclined, checkout the wish list here.
To see the latest St. Francis Chopper you will need to attend the 2007 Donnie Smith Invitational Bike Show on March 25th- 26th, 2007. Click here for details.
Brent Stavig is on Bikernet Radio. You can hear the show by clicking here.
