different came alive with some great ideas.
Monte had a small bike in his booth with portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Mae West and
other old time beauty queens on it that was catching the attention of the passersby.
Donnie and Monte started discussing it, trading ideas and the dream of something
really special was born.
Now Donny has always been a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan. So it did not take him long
to decide that a Lynyrd Skynyrd theme would be perfect. After much thought and
discussion, it became a memorial project to the members of the band that were
touring during the time of the tragic plane crash.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is known for their iconic songs “Free Bird,” and “Sweet Home
Alabama.” During the height of the band’s success in 1977 a plane crash cost them
three band members, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and
vocalist Cassie Gaines.
It was decided that the gas tank would be graced with three portraits of Ronnie
Van Zant. This was done in 2009. About a year later some work on the front fender
was done and four other members of the band Leon Wilkeson, Steven Gaynes Billy
Powell, and Allen Collins were added. Then, guitarist Gary Rossington (who is still
alive and still with the band), along with Artimis Pyle (the band’s drummer) were
added to the oil tank and the rear fender has the name Lynyrd Skynyrd airbrushed
over a flag design.
The customizing does not stop there. Lyrics from the iconic song “Free Bird” with
the date and location of the plane crash are part of the one-of-a-kind leatherwork of
the seat. That leatherwork was completed by Dustin Bustos.
If you are a true Lynyrd Skynyrd fan you will recognize the outline on the primary
chrome as coming from the “Street Survivors” album cover.
So what do you with such a fantastic machine, once the work is done? Well if
the rest of us are lucky you show it! Donnie rides this bike and has had it in several
shows. Winning Best Paint, Best of Show and last year at the Black Hills Motorcycle
Show in Rapid City, SD it was also voted best in show by the public.
But talking about the awards is not what puts that big smile on Donnie’s face. That
big smile comes out when he is talking about all of the people he has met who love
motorcycles and are fellow fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
So when the current Lynyrd Skynyrd band members where in Laramie, WY at the
same time Donnie and the 2005 Softail were there, and since he happened to meet
continued...
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
April 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 11