$20 grand, winner takes all—that’s the philosophy behind the Lightning Bolt custom motorcycle build-off. The regional, invitation-only event attracts bike builders from every corner of the hobby, from scramblers to choppers, for a chance at the biggest winner-takes-all prize in the country. There’s a catch though—qualifying bikes have to be rideable, and you’ll have to prove it.
We got a look at the bikes from the recent New York event, and handpicked our favorites. Last month’s NYC show was the third Lightning Bolt event, following the first two that were held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Hosted by The House of Machines and sponsored by BMW Motorrad, the Lightning Bolt is a low-key event with a massive prize purse. It also forms part of a greater series of build-offs; the individual shows are considered regionals, with winners gaining entry into the upcoming international Golden Bolt contest.…