WNCC teaches custom-motorcycle building

The purple-and-chrome monster is chained and strapped down to a metal ramp inside Geno's Pizza.

Debbie Bowyer, the new owner of the beast, carefully straddles the creature and presses the throttle button. At once, the motor rips and tears at the air and vibrations bully the room; picture frames start to shake loose from the walls.

Satisfied, she cuts the engine.

The chopper is the final project of fall semester's bike-building class at Western Nevada Community College.

Instructor Ed Glick says the class was inspired by Discovery Channel shows "American Chopper" and "Monster Garage," in which custom bike-builders like Jesse James and the lovably short-tempered Teutul family have become icons of an explosive cottage industry that began quietly with guys like Ron Simms and Arlen Ness.

A bike bought right off the showroom floor might be convenient for the weekend warrior, but riders who want to express their individuality and really merge souls with their machines have taken to building their bikes themselves.

But a bike-in-a-box can be a tough build, says Glick. Often, they come without instructions.

A custom-built bike ranges from $15,000 to $50,000 or even more.

Glick, who has also taught rider instruction and motorcycle maintenance classes, says the bike-building class is a great chance for guys (and girls) to really develop an intimate, working knowledge of their bike.

Bowyer's husband, Jeff, was one of Glick's eight students in the recent course. Now, after buying the finished product for his wife, he's going to get to work on his own dream machine.

"I'd love to get into building bikes full-time," he says. "But right now, it's just a hobby that keeps me out of trouble."

While Jeff hopes to have his bike up and running soon, Debbie already has plans to make the annual Love Ride in Glendale, Calif. Out of the estimated 30,000 bikes there, hers will be one-of-a-kind.

"It's dedicated to my father, Bill Franke" she says, pointing to the POW-MIA logos adorning the case covers on both sides of the chopper. "He was a fighter pilot shot down during the Vietnam War. He spent nearly nine years held prisoner in the Hanoi Hilton."

This is the personal touch that drives riders to seek out custom bikes.

"We're going to try to build a bike every year and sell it so it becomes a self-sustaining effort," says Glick. "Slowly, we'll build up our war chest."

The three-credit course should be offered again in the fall at WNCC. It costs no more than a music-appreciation class, and there are no materials fees. Glick says the group met once a week, but ended up putting in a lot of extra time at the end to finish the project.

The frame was donated by Paugho, Inc., parts by Harley-Davidson of Carson City and paint by T&H Auto Paints, according to Glick.

Late registration for the spring semester of WNCC ends today. Glick says those interested in taking a bike-building class should contact Laura Lee at 445-4466.

Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.

WNCC REGISTRATION

• Classes at Western Nevada Community College begin today

• More than 1,200 classes are available from computer languages, V-twin engine construction, to horse management.

• Late registration, with a late fee, ends Friday.

• Services are available, such as counseling, financial aid, admissions and computer help

• Registration forms are in the spring schedules of classes or online at www.wncc.edu. Web-REG hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• Student Services offices on WNCC's Carson, Douglas and Fallon campuses are open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information, call 445-4458.