Biltwell " People ' s Champ " 2024
Biltwell started its annual " People ' s Champ " bike show nearly ten years ago in California . Staged on the Friday evening before the annual Born Free custom show ( Silverado , California , June 22-23 , 2024 - the 15th annual ), it was conceived to shine a spotlight on builders who might not be wellknown enough to be officially " Invited Builders " at Born Free . That was what appealed to us here at AMD , and asking Biltwell if it would like to add its show to our own ' AMD Approved ' program , 2024 was the first time it was one of our highlighted shows . Indeed , it was the first - and currently only - ' AMD Approved ' custom bike show in North America . The synergy between the AMD World Championship program and Biltwell ' s " People ' s Champ " award is irresistible . The ' AMD ' was always conceived as a showcase for emerging talent , and after competing at the Biltwell " People ' s Champ ", many have gone on to be invited builders at Born Free ( and elsewhere ). The way it works is simplicity itself . Having a shrewd eye and convincing motorcycle knowledge , to say nothing of a giant finger on the pulse of the custom bike market , the Biltwell crew picks the first big batch of bike builders , and then the worldwide public votes on the internet narrow it down to a final six and , eventually , to a Champ . Biltwell hosts a massive party at the Cook ' s Corner biker bar in Orange County , California , on the Friday night before the Born Free show - and it is at this party that the winner ' s craftsmanship is celebrated . This year saw over 7,000 votes cast and the stiffest competition to date , with New Zealander Andy Martin finally being awarded the belt for this year ' s Biltwell " People ' s Champ ." His 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead chopper was a standout in every respect . " The more you look , the better the details : clean molding , subtle yet perfect paint , and unique features like
New Zealander Andy Martin was named as this year ' s Biltwell " People ' s Champ ."
pointy chain link exhaust mounts , motor mount and clutch release ." Biltwell ' s Bill Bryant told AMD : " Like all contenders for ' People ' s Champ ,' Andy had to ride from Lake Elsinore , CA , over the infamous Ortega
Highway to Cook ' s Corner . Proving it wasn ' t just an art project , he had zero issues and rode it like a proper motorcycle . " This year ' s competitors built topnotch customs and were a pleasure to work with . But there can only be one Champ . When the votes were tallied , Andy Martin and his handcrafted baby-blue Harley claimed the title and the $ 10,000 check for 2024 , proving that hard work indeed pays off . Congrats Andy !" This year ' s " People ' s Champ " sponsors included Baker Drivetrain , Biltwell , Born Free , Choppers Magazine , Harley-Davidson , J & P Cycles , Lowbrow Customs , Paughco , S & S Cycle and Super 73 .
28 AFTERMARKET MOTO DESIGN - AUGUST 2024 www . AMDmag . com