Fifteen Tennessee career and technical education (CTE) students from LaVergne High School revealed their track-ready Harley-Davidson XR750-inspired motorcycle at the Murfreesboro Northern Tool + Equipment store.
After 174 days of hard work, problem-solving and perseverance, students unveiled the motorcycle they built as part of Northern Tool + Equipment’s Legends Build: Student Challenge.
Working alongside industry mentors and motorcycle legends, the students overcame fabrication challenges, electrical setbacks and tight deadlines to transform a new Harley-Davidson Nightster into a one-of-a-kind Flat Track-inspired race bike.
The project came down to the wire, but the team delivered.
The unveiling marked the culmination of nine months of effort and the beginning of the motorcycle’s next chapter – including a victory lap ridden by Flat Track legend Chris Carr and a future display at SEMA, the world’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show.
“Even though many people thought we couldn’t make it happen, we put in the time and effort and got it done just in time,” said Talley Barber, LaVergne High School student and build team co-captain.
On June 6th, the motorcycle will make its race track debut at the Sons of Speed Nashville Short Track, where it will run a victory lap before the American Flat Track races.
“It’s awesome to see how proud the kids are of what they accomplished! Most adults couldn’t tackle this. I’m truly impressed to see this bike done and am proud to ride it around the track on Saturday,” said build mentor and American Flat Track legend, Chris Carr.
The Legends Build: Student Challenge highlights Northern Tool + Equipment’s commitment to igniting a passion for the trades with the next generation by putting professional-grade tools in the hands of high school CTE students and investing in future tradespeople with unique learning experiences and industry mentorship.
“What these students accomplished is incredible, and proof that the trades can offer dynamic and rewarding career paths,” said Frank Crowson, chief commercial officer at Northern Tool + Equipment.
Sons of Speed Founder and build mentor Billy Lane said, “I’m lucky enough to say this was my second Northern Tool Student Build, so far, but will also say, this is the first time I thought the build team wouldn’t get it done. It was dicey for a bit. Fast forward to today and I’m so proud of this group of students. They buckled down, got after it and made it happen.”
This fall, tune in to RACER Network for an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at The Legends Build through a first-of-its-kind television series documenting the challenges, setbacks, wins and teamwork that brought the motorcycle to life.
Following its victory lap, the student-built motorcycle will head to SEMA, the world’s largest automotive aftermarket trade show, where it will be displayed in the prestigious Builder Showcase alongside motorcycles and vehicles built by some of the industry’s most recognized names.
