Dakota Digital moved to their current location in 2003. This new location includes an R&D lab, machine shop, photo studio and research library, along with over 22,000 square feet for expansion.

akota Digital began as a dream of Ross Ortman’s. While working a full time engineering job, Ross began creating rudimentary digital LED gauges and “assemble it yourself” gauge kits. These first products were sold through an electronics publication. As these products grew in popularity, Ross decided to take Dakota Digital to the next level and enter the street rod and custom industry.
In 1991 the decision was made to find a dedicated facility to provide the room for Dakota Digital to grow. Ross began exhibiting at several events, traveling across the country to promote this small business. Magazine advertisements followed along with an explosion of growth forcing another change less than five years later. With that change came nearly four-times the square footage and what seemed like an endless amount of room for expansion.

Make sure and show your customers the entire line of digital LED gauges, instruments and other great products from Dakota Digital.

     At this time, instrumentation was developed for custom motorcycles, which have been a huge part of Dakota Digital’s success. As the motorcycle products increased alongside the automotive products, it was time to begin searching for real estate to create the perfect Dakota Digital facility.
In the summer of 2003, Dakota Digital moved to its current location, which offers over 22,000 square feet and room to expand in multiple directions. With this additional space came a dedicated research & development laboratory, a tremendous machine shop, and photography studio and research library to keep Dakota Digital ahead of the game. More processes were moved inside the Dakota Digital factory, allowing additional control over quality and product production.
     Dakota Digital could be considered a small company, but some revolutionary ideas and products have come from this organization. Dakota Digital instruments are featured on some of the world’s finest street rods and motorcycles. Dakota Digital has also pioneered several unique electronic accessories for these growing industries, with products ranging from speedometer calibration devices to radio antennas used all over the world!
     Since their humble beginnings, Dakota Digital has attended hundreds of events, talking with existing and new customers. In doing so, Ross mentions that they find tremendous value in reaching the end user of their goods. This gives them the opportunity to explain their products directly to the customer and provide them with pre and post-installation support. These events also give Dakota Digital the opportunity to listen to comments and ideas. Several new products have been created based upon customer requests.
     With Dakota Digital’s current position in the marketplace and the technology available today, the sky is the limit on what products and projects may come next. Ross mentions “Over the past couple of years Dakota Digital has expanded from standard motorcycle instrumentation to advanced monitoring such as manual transmission gear indicators, engine computer interfacing and air ride control systems. The future of our product line is absolutely unbelievable, the capabilities we have today are truly stunning and that will be even more visible in some of the new products released over the next few years.”
     Dakota Digital has recently joined forces with the world-renowned custom motorcycle fabricator, Brian Klock of Klock Werks Kustom Cycles. This union will provide the custom motorcycle industry a unique twist with some very interesting products. Contact your Drag rep today to see the great line of products from Dakota Digital.

Brian Klock takes a cruise through the badlands in Sturgis aboard his “Cherry Bomb.”

’s been said that some people have a true calling in life…something that they were born and destined to do. Such is the case with Brian Klock of Klock Werks. Brian was born in a small, rural town in South Dakota, home to just 389 people. He and his family lived in the upstairs of his parent’s gas station, and Brian inherited his father’s passion for cars and motorcycles at an early age. Over the years, that simple passion developed into a fascination and true talent for building and customizing.
     Brian’s first custom was an FXR he built in 1990 with the guidance of motorcycle icons Jim Betlach and Donnie Smith. Soon, he was being called on by friends to help them with their bikes as well, and in 1997, Brian opened Klock Werks. He was soon joined by Dan Cheeseman and the pair began turning out customs from a 700-square foot garage without even a sign out front. Brian says that he wanted to keep the business small, and to stay true to their roots.
     “We did really well with that over the years.” says Brian. “The biggest thing is we grew and grew in such a small garage. We never had a sign on the door; we never wanted to promote. I turned down the first couple of magazine features because I didn’t want to have all the press–that’s not what I’m in this for. I wanted to be in this for a long time and I didn’t want to fail. I’d rather walk before I run.”
     Even without all the promotion, word of Klock Werks’ talents spread, and although they were recognized in several national magazines, they remained one of Mitchell, South Dakota’s best kept secrets for years.
These days, the Klock Werks design team is known as one of the country’s most diverse builders. Do you have a copy of the 2006 FatBook handy? That classy little bobber on the cover is one of Klock Werks’ creations. And now they have joined the Drag Specialties team.
     Brian says, “Drag Specialties will carry our line of bagger parts, and a line we call Builder Basics (weld-on lugs and mounts for frames, tanks, calipers, whatever). The kind of parts you need but would otherwise have to make. It might cost you $50 to have one made at your local machine shop, whereas you can buy two of these for under $10.”
     Brian and Klock Werks are also teaming up with Drag Specialties in a joint effort to create and produce an exhaust line. The new line will cover everything from baggers to XL pipes. Brian and the team are excited to be working with Drag Specialties and combining their passion for motorcycling.
     Klock Werks will bring a great, fresh look to Drag Specialties, largely because of their expertise in such a wide range of styles.
     “They [Drag Specialties] sought us out because of our diversity.” says Brian. “We not only do Sportster choppers and kustom baggers, but we do bikes that look like ‘48 panheads, ‘59 Duo-Glides, and they’re all based on Twin Cams. That’s a thing we call ‘newstalgia.’ You’re using a new bike and making it look like an old bike.”
     “What I do is I have been blessed with a vision,” Brian continues, “I might not be the best welder, the best mechanic, or the best painter but I can see things other people can’t see. I’m real particular about the details, about how everything looks and works. Anybody can make a pipe that makes big power, but for me aesthetics have to go hand in hand with that. Thus the need for a great team, it takes a team to win the Super Bowl.”
Even though Brian and Klock Werks are extremely well-known these days, they still strive to keep those “small town” ideals…hard work and staying true to their roots.
     “People really like the midwestern feel we have. They stop by on the way to Sturgis, and make it a point to come by every year. Now we have eight people working here and everyone is part of the team… ‘The Klock Werks design team.’ I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by really creative people who do a great job for me.”
Drag Specialties is proud to welcome Brian and Klock Werks to the team.