Welcome to the 64th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally. It’s hard to believe that this view is from the half-way point on Main Street. Parking is tough to come by, and when a spot opens up, it’s snatched up before you can blink.

ou hear the same thing every year—“this year (Sturgis) seems bigger and better than last year.” This year, we’ll need to add “cooler” to the list. The 64th Annual Sturgis Bike Rally did seem bigger than ever. No matter who was asked, everyone had the same opinion—this really was one of the best years to attend.
     First off, the weather was spectacular. Normally Sturgis sees temperatures in the 90s or higher, with high humidity and rain. This year, temps stayed in the high 60s, with bright blue skies, very little rain (although it did hail early on, but subsided quickly), and cool, crisp nights.
     Second, Sturgis seemed bigger thanks to the number and caliber of events, bands, builders and vendors who attended. For example, the music lineup included ZZ Top, Kid Rock, Motley Crüe and the Beach Boys, all of whom played to sellout crowds.
     Custom builders such as Paul Yaffe, Billy Lane, Kendall Johnson, Jim Nasi and Chica were on hand to sign autographs, pose for pictures and answer questions.
     The custom bike shows were equally amazing. Two standouts included the Metzeler V-Twin Custom Bike Contest and the First Annual Legend Top 50 Custom Bike Show. The Legend Top 50 was put on by Legend Air Suspension and featured judging by Chip Foose of Foose Designs and the hit television show “Overhaulin’”.
Should you tire of listening to the music, ogling the customs or talking with the builders, you could venture down to the vendor area on Lazelle Street. Here, semis were situated on each corner, along with booths filled with bikes, parts and people. Some buildings also were converted into showrooms for the event, leaving the street looking more like a small city than a typical vendor row. Drag Specialties, Arlen Ness, S&S, Samson, Progressive Suspension, Barnett and Performance Machine (among many others) were all within steps from one another, all showing their latest custom bikes, parts and accessories, and all with ample motorcycle parking.
     A number of vendors could be found outside of Sturgis, as well. Jim Nasi Customs, Memphis Shades, Bub Enterprises and Vance & Hines all could all be found in the parking lot of Black Hills Harley-Davidson. Paramount Custom Cycles, Kendall Johnson Customs and Legend Air Suspension were among the many vendors who could be found at the Full Throttle Saloon. And, some vendors, such as Memphis Shades, had multiple locations.
     But of course the heart of the rally is Main Street. Here, motorcycles were packed curb-to-curb and down the center of the street for several blocks—with a lot of spillover onto side streets. In this carnival atmosphere, people poured in and out of the dining and drinking establishments all day (and night) long. Watching the parade of motorcycles cruise up and down this main drag is an experience all in itself. You’ll find everything from custom choppers to stock bikes, homemade vehicles to ones that defy description— over and over again.
     If you’ve never gone to Sturgis and enjoy listening to great live music, visiting with top-name builders, appreciating outstanding custom bikes and learning a lot about new products for the V-Twin market, you just might want to make a point of going to next year’s rally. Can’t guarantee that the weather will again be picture-postcard perfect, but it just might. And, next year might be bigger, better and even cooler than this year—although this year’s event is going to be tough to beat.

Baggers seemed to be the bike of choice for those who rode cross-country, although a few daring few rode out on choppers, rigids and even a few unstreetable customs.

Kendall Johnson, Jim Nasi and others hanging out at the Drag Specialties rig on Lazelle Street. In the background (left) is Drag Specialties’ own Jim Matchette and Tom Motzko.

The intersection of Lazelle and 6th Streets is in the heart of the vendor area, and every vendor seemed to have space at this intersection, including Corbin, Samson, Performance Machine, S&S, Drag Specialties, Arlen Ness and West Coast Choppers.

(Below) The Legend Top 50 Custom Bike Show showcased some amazing bikes. This one stood out with its hand-hammered aluminum gas tank and custom chassis and front end. Check out the length of that chain!

(Above Right) Aaron Greene and “Big Mike” Rouse seen here posing for a shot at the Paramount Custom Cycles booth. The PCC booth was prominently located at the Full Throttle Saloon.

This black and satin-finished chopper was one of the many outstanding entries at Metzeler’s 2004 Sturgis V-Twin Custom Bike Contest.

Lazelle Street, Sturgis, 9:30 a.m. Booths opened at 9:00 a.m. sharp and shortly thereafter the streets were busy.

Sportsters seem to be all the rage with the custom builders. This bike was found in front of the Performance Machine booth.

Willie G. Davidson takes time to check out a custom V-Rod and pose for a picture at the Metzeler show.

John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell and actor Peter Fonda at the Sturgis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Long, low and sporting a Metzeler 280 rear tire. Judging by the bikes shown at the Legend Top 50 Custom Bike Show, this look seems to be a sign of things to come from the custom bike world. Check out the Legend Air Suspension (under the seat) on this beautifully done bike by Lawless Customs.

Kenny Williams built this custom to look good and perform even better. This custom is running a 150 ci Twin Cam motor. Looks like an Evolution, doesn’t it?

(Below right) The best thing about an event like Sturgis is the ability to admire a variety of bikes. Styles, colors and looks varied across the board at the bike shows, events and runs.

(Bottom left) Perry Sands of Performance Machine says a few words while being inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame.

Bikes were not the only customs at Sturgis. Check out the Foose Designs Street Rod! Chip Foose of Foose Designs and the television show “Overhaulin’” awarded Performance Machine’s Roland Sands with the Design Excellence Award at the Legends Top 50 Custom Bike Show. Ted Sands of Performance Machine and Jesse Jurrens from Legend Air Suspension. You’ll find anything and everything on Main Street. This, uh, interesting-looking bike garnered more attention than some of the customs and choppers.

The Full Throttle Saloon featured some of the best builders and shops in the industry.

The Drag Specialties booth was always full of people checking out the bikes and parts and asking questions. Many wanted to know if the Drag Specialties customs were for sale. The question of “how much for this bike or that bike?” was heard time and again.

Sturgis in the early evening and the roads are still busy. In the background you’ll see Performance Machine, Barnett and Jims Performance Products’ booths filled with rally-goers.

The Baker Drivetrain booth displayed a beautiful custom at the rally. This was another one of the customs that people wanted to know… “how much?”