A pilgrimage to Sturgis, South Dakota is a must for any motorcycle rider in the US. This year, there’s an extra incentive to go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and we have famed photographer Michael Lichter to thank for it. Together with organizers of the annual rally, Lichter is scheduled to present an exhibit unlike any other, featuring 35 of the best bike builders in the world. It’s called “The Naked Truth - 35 Customs / 35 Years / Motorcycle Exposed,” and as you can expect, it’s going to feature some of the finest bike builds you’ll ever see, all of which were created specifically for this exhibit.

Unlike other exhibits, the Naked Truth will prominently feature these rolling metal sculptures up-close-and-personal. No glass casings here, ladies and gentlemen. Just elevated pedestals, proudly displaying these naked bikes, bereft with paint and graphics for the entire world to see. Basically, this is where real bike builders separate themselves from the rest of the flock. Without the benefit of sick paint jobs and graphics, these creations visually highlight the true ethos of real bike builders with absolutely no filters separating the final work from the hands that built them.

The Naked Truth exhibit will be exclusively shown at the rally’s Motorcycles as Art Exhibition from August 1 to August 8, 2015 at the Russ Brown Events Center. Admission is free to the public, giving riders no reason not to see this one-of-a-kind showcase of the best bike builders doing what they absolutely do best.

Click “continue reading” to read more about the Naked Truth exhibit at the 2015 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Why it matters

Any time an exhibit likes this is organized in a place like Sturgis, South Dakota, you know it’s going to be a big deal. A huge deal even. That’s why it’s important for those who have the time to go see it because there will probably be no other exhibit that will be able to capture the true essence of bike building.

For some artists, bike building is a business and a lucrative one at that. But for others, it’s more than a way to pay the bills. It’s art in its purest form. These artists are in charge of what they create and oftentimes, they build something that really encapsulates not only their skills as bike builders, but more importantly, the real essence of what this vocation calls for.

Geographic issues will prevent from seeing it and yes, I’m stewing mad about it. But if others can take the time to check out, do so without hesitation. Trust me when I tell you, the roster of builders participating in this exhibit reads like a who’s who in the industry. You wouldn’t want to miss out on what could very well be the highlight of your year.

Artists scheduled to present their naked creations at the Buffalo Chip’s 2015 Motorcycles as Art exhibit

-Aki Sakamoto - Hog Killers, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

-Alan Stulberg – Revival Cycles, Austin, TX

-Ben Jordan – Jordan Designs, Waxhaw, NC

-Bill Dodge – Bling’s Cycles, Daytona Beach, FL

-Bill Rodencal – Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, WI

-Billy Lane – Choppers Inc., Daytona Beach, FL

-Brandon Holstein, Brawny Built, Signal Hill, CA

-Brian Klock – Klockwerks, Mitchell, SD

-Bryan Fuller – Fuller Hotrods, Atlanta, GA

-Cristian Sosa – Sosa Metalworks, Las Vegas, NV

-Dale Yamada – Mad Jap Kustoms, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

-Dalton Walker - Split Image Kustoms, Hanford, CA

-Dan “Bacon” Carr – DC Chopper, Austin, TX

-Dave Perewitz - Perewitz Cycle Fabrication, Bridgewater, MA

-Jeff Cochran - Speedking Racing, West Harrison, IN

-Jeff Wright - Church Of Choppers, Des Moines, IA

-Jim Nasi – Jim Nasi Customs, Phoenix, AZ

-John Stein – Stage Fright Drag Racer, Pacific Palisades, CA

-Jordan Dickinson – Union Speed and Style, Monticello, MN

-Kaichiroh Kurosu – Cherry’s Company, Tokyo, Japan

-Ken “Kenji” Nagai - Ken’s Factory, Nagoya, Japan

-Lock Baker – Eastern Fabrications, Los Angeles, CA

-Matt Olsen – Carl’s Cycle, Aberdeen, SD

-Nate Jacobs – Harlot Cycles, Murfreesboro, TN

-Ola Stenegard - Gotland, Sweden

-Pat Patterson - Led Sled Customs, Dayton, OH

-Paul Cox – Paul Cox Industries, Brooklyn, NY

-Paul Wideman - Bare Knuckle Choppers, Wright City, MO

-Paul Yaffe - Paul Yaffe Originals, Phoenix, AZ

-Rick Bray – RKB Kustom Speed, Fresno, CA

-Roland Sands – RSD Design

-Shinya Kimura - Chabott Engineering, Azusa, CA

-Warren Lane – Atomic; Miami Beach, FL

-Yaniv “Neevo” Evan - Powerplant Choppers’; Los Angeles, CA