The Great Biker Build-Off

''Biker Build-Off'' is a reality television series for the Discovery Channel. Created and narrated by Thom Beers, the series was originally conceived as a single special called ''The Great Biker Build-Off''. The show proved so popular that more episodes were produced in succeeding years, to the point that it was turned into a regular series (and its name shortened to just ''Biker Build-Off'') in 2005.

Premise of the Show

Two reputed custom motorcycle builders from different parts of the country—usually with very different styles of building—each build a unique custom bike in their respective style, pitting their teams and expertise against each other to see who is the better builder.

Format

''Biker Build-Off'' was originally an irregularly-grouped series (termed "rounds") of contests that spanned a calendar year. The original ''Great Biker Build-Off'' was a single competition. In 2003, the second round had three contests, and the third round (2004) had six. In 2005, the program was turned into a regular series in which each round would feature a total of 13 contests each. There has also been a ''World Biker Build-Off'' special (pitting three international bikers) in 2004.

The rules

Various aspects of the rules have evolved over the course of the series. When the show became a regular series, the current rules of the ''Biker Build-Off'' were defined as follows:

''1. Each builder has 10 days to build a working custom motorcycle in his or her respective style.''

*They must obtain a framework, engine, and other necessary parts, construct their unique body, have it painted, and then complete assembling the bike and make it operational before midnight of the tenth day. During this build period, the show switches perspectives back and forth between the two builders as they and their respective teams plan and build their bikes.

''2. Upon completion, the two builders bring their bikes to a mutually-agreed neutral location.''

* Custom motorcycle master of ceremonies Hugh King (co-executive producer of the series) will meet the two builders at the agreed location and declare where the ride will go and where the bikes will ultimately be judged.

''3. When they meet, the two builders and their teams will begin a lengthy ride to a bike show.''

* The ride is designed to "break in" each bike and ensure they're both truly road-worthy before they reach the bike show. If a problem emerges that prevents the bike from running, the builder is allowed one hour to repair it before he/she is disqualified. (The disqualification may be waived by the competing builder; several shows have featured instances where the bike would have been disqualified ("DQ'ed") but the other builder did not enforce the rule.)

''4. At the bike show, the two bikes will be showcased and a winner decided by an audience ballot.''

* Exceptions may occur for specific competitions. A 2007 contest designed to build drag bikes was decided by a best-of-three set of drag races.

Episode guide

Round 1: 2002

# Billy Lane vs
Roger Bourget
: Original run : September 28, 2002

Round 2: 2003

# Billy Lane vs
Dave Perewitz
: Original run : September 1, 2003
# Indian Larry vs
Paul Yaffe
: Original run : September 1, 2003
# Billy Lane vs. Indian Larry : Original run : September 1, 2003

Round 3: 2004

Chica
vs
Hank Young
: Original run : June 21, 2004
# Cory Ness vs. Arlen Ness : Original run : June 22, 2004

Russell Mitchell
vs
Eddie Trotta
: Original run : June 23, 2004

Mitch Bergeron
vs
Kendall Johnson
: Original run : June 24, 2004

Matt Hotch
vs
Joe Martin
: Original run : June 27, 2004
# ''Combined Genius'' : Original run : June 27, 2004

World Biker Build-Off 2004

Joe Martin
vs
Russell Mitchell
vs
Scotty Cox
: Original run : September 6, 2004

Round 4: 2005

# Jerry Covington vs
Warren Vesely
: Original run : January 11, 2005

Joe Martin
vs. Shinya Kimura : Original run : January 18, 2005

Jesse Rooke
vs. Ron Finch : Original run : January 25, 2005

Russell Mitchell
vs. the Detroit Brothers : Original run : February 1, 2005
# Indian Larry vs
Mondo
: Original run : February 8, 2005

Chica
vs. Mike Pugliese : Original run : February 15, 2005
# Cory Ness vs
Eric Gorges
: Original run : February 22, 2005

Hank Young
vs
Cole Foster
: Original run : March 1, 2005
# Billy Lane vs
Mike Brown
: Original run : March 8, 2005

Kendall Johnson
vs
Eddie Trotta
: Original run : March 15, 2005

Matt Hotch
vs
Rick Fairless
: Original run : March 22, 2005
# Arlen Ness vs. Roland Sands : Original run : March 29, 2005
# ''The Ultimate Chop'' : Original run : April 3, 2005

Round 5: 2006

# Billy Lane vs
Russell Mitchell
: Original run : August 7, 2006

Trevelene
vs
Scott Long
: Original run : August 14, 2006
# Mike Metzger vs. Larry Linkogle : Original run : August 21, 2006

Kevin Alsop
vs. Ivy Tosclair : Original run : August 28, 2006
# Roland Sands vs
Jesse Rooke
: Original run : September 4, 2006

Ell Pitts
vs
Harold Pontarelli
: Original run : September 11, 2006

Marcus Walz
vs
Michael Prugh
: Original run : September 18, 2006
# Detroit Brothers vs
Jason Kangas
: Original run : September 25, 2006
# Gypsy Charro vs
Kim Suter
: Original run : October 2, 2006

Paul Yaffe
vs
Dave Perewitz
: Original run : October 9, 2006

Craig Whitford
vs
Mike Long
: Original run : October 16, 2006

Brian Klock
vs
Jason Hart
: Original run : October 23, 2006

Matt Hotch
vs. Roger Goldammer : Original run : October 30, 2006

Round 6: 2007

Gard Hollinger
vs


Paul Cox & Keino
vs
Trevelen

Chica
vs
Michael Barragan

Bryan Fuller
vs
Greg Westbury

Dawn Norakas
vs
Scott Webster

Andrew Williams
vs
James Compton

External links

*
*
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biker Build-Off
American non-fiction television series
2002 American television series debuts
2000s American reality television series
2007 American television series endings
Discovery Channel original programming
Television series by Original Productions
Motorcycle television series