BUILD Moto Mentor Program and Harley-Davidson: Fueling the Next Generation of Trades Experts

Harley-Davidson is proud to be a key sponsor of the BUILD Moto Mentor Program, a non-profit educational organization that provides high school students with a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn technical and life skills through motorcycle fabrication. 

It all began with an idea. Teach tech skills to Wisconsin high school students through motorcycle building. The idea turned into BUILD Moto, with teams of high school students paired with mentors and faculty members. The partnership represents Harley-Davidson’s commitment to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning and to inspiring the next generation of designers, engineers, and trades experts. 

The entire build is a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond the workshop. The program pairs teams of six students from local high schools with a faculty advisor and up to three professional mentors who act as coaches and team leaders. Each team is provided a motorcycle along with parts support.

Over one semester, each team is tasked with designing and rebuilding their motorcycles to American Motorcycle Association (AMA) flat track racing standards. Every team must provide weekly photographic and/or video documentation of their process. Throughout the five months, students acquire a wide range of skills, including design, welding, graphic design, fundraising, and social media. 

Teams begin after winter break with a budget to manage their builds. Mentors are to control the "checkbook," while the students are responsible for creating a budget, formulating an action plan, and fundraising. The process unfolds across stages: 

• January: Team organization, planning, and motorcycle disassembly.

• February: Motorcycle design and prep work.

• March: Work on the bike, team field trips may be planned.

• April: Motorcycle is assembled, running, and tested on a dyno.

• May: Cosmetics completed, judging, and final awards.  

At the conclusion of the season, teams are judged on their bike’s design, execution, and their ability to meet project deadlines. The competition finalé is measured in a dyno challenge, a full accounting of the build, and a skills challenge where students can showcase what they’ve learned, all leading up to the awarding of the prestigious BUILD Cup. 

Through a multi-year partnership (through 2027), Harley-Davidson is donating XG500s to all the teams in the program, along with support and technical training mentors. “Our involvement with BUILD Moto represents our commitment to STEAM learning and helping to teach the next generation of designers, engineers, and trades experts. Working with high schoolers who are empowered to create a bike that is race-ready is really rewarding. It’s a thrill to see their confidence grow during the build, and showcase what they’ve learned as the pit crew on race Day and a skills challenge,” commented Shanna Beanan, STEAM Program Manager, Harley-Davidson. 

It’s evident that Harley’s love for motorcycles can be a powerful vehicle for education, building not just bikes, but also creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. The partnership will give many students the chance to develop strong teamwork skills that will serve them long into the future. 

To get involved as a sponsor, donor, mentor, or student, you can reach out to the organization directly at buildmoto@gmail.com.