S&S Cycle - S&S Performance Parts 2025 L - Volume 67

Introduction

That build up was for the S&S 50th Anniversary celebration. A plan was devised to hold the “World’s Biggest Build-Off” and invite 50 builders from around the world to use one of 50 commemorative anniversary engines to build 50 bikes and compete for $50,000 from S&S. A grand scale plan, but hopefully, a shot in the arm of the custom bike industry—an injection of excitement, camaraderie and history being made all at once. A group of S&S employees, led by President Brett Smith, sat down with a list of a few hundred custom builders and narrowed the list down to 50. It was a long, painful task, but when it was done, the group felt there was diversity and a fair representation of the entire globe. Builders were selected from Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Holland, Sweden, Canada, Belgium and the United States. It was truly a global event.

It was an event for the history books—never before has the motorcycle industry seen a gathering like this. 50 of the world’s best builders coming together to share in the spirit of George Smith’s dream, celebrating the custom industry and giving people something to talk about for another 50 years.

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