One more year we show you all the preparations that managed to get on the podium of the Custom Bike Show held in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine – Italy) within the events carried out in the 3rd edition of the Italian Bike Week. This event was born in 2022 as a September spin-off of the historic Biker Fest Internationalcontinues to excite lovers of preparations, as well as those customizers from different parts of the world who meet there.
Although the emphasis is on the Adventure & Off-Road world, which displaces the emphasis of the traditionally custom-focused Biker Fest International, the IBW does not forget its roots. These are firmly linked to one of the most historic Bike Shows in Europe, born in 1987 with the BFI.
The Italian Bike Week doubles the Lignano event with the first and only national championship dedicated to customizers and special bikes: the Italian Motorcycle Championship (IMC)which made its return to the Adriatic city a few months after the May round held during the Biker Fest.
Custom Bike Show 2024: High-level preparations
The 2024 Custom Bike Show was a very tough competition, not only for the special builders, but also for the IMC judges, who had the difficult task of selecting the best and most exclusive custom bikes among More than 50 participants from all over Italy and abroad. There were eight categories in the competitionin addition to the most prestigious award, the Best in Show, awarded to the most spectacular motorcycle at the event.
The winner was “Goddess of Speed”a magnificent creation by Mirko Perugini of Gallery Motorcycles (BS), built around the legendary Harley-Davidson Evolution engine. Completed in spring, this special bike made its debut at the 30th HOG Rally, winning its first prize at the official European Harley-Davidson event held in Senigallia (AN) in early June.
The inspiration for this bike comes from the world of speed records, with numerous nods to the pre-war Land Speed Record era. These include the streamlined rear fairing, wide, downturned handlebars, a springer front fork and 21-inch and 16-inch lenticular wheels, front and rear respectively. At the heart of the bespoke chassis is the powerful 1340cc V-Twin engine, fed by an iconic S&S Super E carburettor.
The engine has been deliberately “aged” to match the bike’s overall vintage style. For example, the rocker covers have been removed, exposing the valve mechanisms – a tribute to the legendary models of the 1920s and 1930s.
The bike also features a decorative figure of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, a design borrowed from Packard’s luxury sedans. Modern high-performance components, such as a Brembo radial rear brake caliper, complete the build. The vintage paint job, with its period colors and graphics, was done by Dox Art Factory.
On the other hand, Harley-Davidson dominated both the Cafe Racer and Old Style categories of this Custom Bike Show. In the former, the winner was an 883 from Low Special Parts (NA), while in the latter the winner was “El Chapo”, a Heritage Classic built by HD Bergamo (BG) in Chicano style. This bike also appeared on the cover of the August/September issue of Bikers Life. Two Hondas, a Hornet customized by FTG Moto (MI) and a Shadow 600 from Red House Chopper of Rome, took top honors in the Streetfighter and Metric categories, respectively.
In keeping with the dirt spirit of the Custom Bike Show, the Scrambler and Adventure classes were particularly popular. A Norton Commando built by Grillo from Savona won the Scrambler class, while Punto Moto Factory Bike’s (VE) Yamaha Super Ténéré took first place in the Adventure class, specially created for IBW. Austria also claimed several wins, with Stefan B.’s S&S-powered “Knickrammen” taking first place in the Freestyle class and Ramses Garage dominating the HD Modified class with a Heritage Softail-based Vicla.
After the summer dates, the Italian Motorcycle Championship continues in autumn, with the next round scheduled in Cesena on November 23-24, during the Ruotando – Kustom Kulture event. Here are the final results of each of the categories of the Custom Bike Show 2024.
Scrambler
- 1st NORTON COMMANDO – Grillo (SV)
- 2nd YAMAHA TT 600 – Raw Custom (PD)
- 3rd HONDA CB250 – Stray’s Garage (MO)
Cafe Racer
- 1st HD 883 – Low Special Parts (NA)
- 2nd MOTO GUZZI 1000 SP – North East Custom (PD)
- 3rd SUZUKI DR650 – MdiM Garage Style (TV)
Old Style
- 1st HD Heritage Classic – HD Bergamo (BG)
- 2nd HD FLH – Orsetto Garage and CE Performance (TV
- 3rd HD FLH – Mirko Capone (TV)
Streetfighter
- 1st HONDA HORNET – FTG Moto (MI)
- 2nd HD FXR – Reds Motorcycles (VI)
- 3rd YAMAHA XJR 1300 – Orsetto Garage (TV)
Modified HD
- 1st HD HERITAGE SOFTAIL – Ramses Garage (Austria)
- 2nd HD XL 883R – Low Special Parts (NA)
- 3rd HD NIGHT ROD – Devil’s Garage (RC)
Metric
- 1st HONDA SHADOW 600 – Red House Chopper (RM)
- 2nd HONDA SHADOW 600 – Croy Garage (VR)
- 3rd HONDA SHADOW 750 – Mr Fighter (TV)
Adventure
- 1st YAMAHA SUPER TENERE – Moto Factory Bike Point (VE)
- 2nd BMW R100 GS – Santa Fox (SV)
- 3rd HONDA TRANSALP 600 – MdiM Garage Style (TV)
Freestyle
- 1st S&S 58 KNICKRAMMEN – Stefan B. (Austria)
- 2º HONDA SHADOW
- 3rd URAL – Stray’s Garage (MO)
Best in show
- HD 1340 – Gallery Motorcycles (BS)
