Bike builders give free rein to imaginations in contest

Bike builders from around New England have been putting a little more than some elbow grease into their custom creations during the second annual Biker Build-Off taking place in Weirs Beach.

The competition began Saturday with six shops competing for a $5,000 cash prize along with bragging rights for the year. Located at the Laconia Roadhouse next to the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound, a tent houses the building areas and the custom motorcycles being made for this year's competition.

Shops present during the competition include Acme Choppers of Laconia, Old School Choppers of Manchester, Green Mountain Performance of Mendon, Vt., Satan Cycles of Selkirk, N.Y., SDS Cycles of Hill and Manch Vegas Choppers of Manchester.

Members from each shop will have to assemble and finish their bikes by Saturday morning. The revealing of the bikes will take place during a special ceremony at 4 p.m. Each day the shops have added pieces and parts, turning what they first came with into a full-sized riding machine.

At about midweek, the motorcycles are starting to take shape, with gas tanks and gear boxes mounted and ready to go. Some of the bikes remain colorless, but that may change as the week progresses. Shop members have been using their imagination, putting throttle and braking controls in unique locations. Frame work for the bikes range from a traditional style to a more sleek, chopper-style rider.

Bike builders give free rein to imaginations in contest