VT motorcycle to raise money for the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

By Aimee Norton

Published: April 4, 2008

It took hours of cutting, grinding, and welding. The result is a Virginia Tech Memorial Bike, created at Milwaukee Iron in Lynchburg. It will go to auction in Las Vegas. All the money raised will be donated to the Hokie Memorial Fund. 

“To be involved in something that will hopefully help someone else down the line - that’s always good,” said Randy Simpson, president of Milwaukee Iron.

He and his staff designed the bike and built most of the parts.  Almost all of the materials were donated, and they worked for free.

The frame of the bike and the engine were brought to the shop, but the fenders, the gas tank, even the handle bars were made in Lynchburg. It was all put together in just six days.

“We were actually working about 14, 15 hours a day,” said Simpson.

“Everybody pulled together and worked good it was a pleasure to be a part of something that was so big,” added Jason Phelps.  Hecreated the front fender. Most of the parts are one of a kind designs that will hopefully bring big bucks at auction.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone in the Central Virginia area ends up with the motorcycle and I would not be surprised if it went for a quarter million dollars,” said Simpson.

The bike will make it’s debut next week in Lynchburg. It will then travel to about a dozen cities before the auction in September. 

It will be on display at the James River Conference Center in downtown Lynchburg April 11-12.  It will open to the public for a small donation to help cover transportation costs.