As I reported on January 30, 2012 four builders including Billy Lane are building each a tribute bike for the 25th Anniversary of Rolling Thunder. Each builder was assigned a military theme and the 4 bikes will be unveiled on May 26 in Washington DC before touring the country for everybody to admire. Prison officials have authorized Billy Lane to work on his project, and after parts procurement, he started to build this very cool 93″ S&S Knucklehead. Characteristic: it should be very light, only around an estimated 375 pounds, logical for an “Air Force” theme bike supposed to fly… at ground level.
Exclusive. Billy Lane Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Bike In Progress.
Published by March 8th, 2012 in Builders, Customs and Events.73 Responses to “Exclusive. Billy Lane Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary Bike In Progress.”
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Going to look nice. Waiting to see the rear fender shape.
Oil tank?
Tank. Half oil, half gas?
Nothing very special…until now. Cyril, continue to update us.
Innovative as usual!
Looking good! peace
Billy Lane???? How is he in on this, isn’t he still doing time for killing an innocent man?
Trainiac you caught me in the right mood, DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU POST HERE! peace
Burnout, Wikipedia today:
On August 14, 2009, Lane was convicted (pleading no contest) on one count of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 6 years in prison, 3 years of supervised probation, and loss — for life — of his drivers license.[8] In arguing for the maximum sentence, the prosecuting attorney cited speeding violations and a pattern of poor driving on Lane’s driving record.[8] A judge had earlier approved a plea deal where prosecutors dropped the felony DUI and manslaughter charges. Prior to the plea deal, Lane had been facing up to 30 years in prison.[8] Lane is currently incarcerated at the Avon Park Work Camp[1] with a projected release date of 10/20/2014.
Wikipedia, really man. Billy haters please go somewhere else. Like to the edge of a cliff and jump off.
Thank You Branden,my thoughts exactly. I love people that read stuff in wiki and believe every word of it . Now we know why he;s not Brainiac.
Billy be makin’ small rocks out of dem big rocks, workin for the man while they have him down. No, wait a minute, that would be if Billy were in prison. No, wait a minute, he is in prison! Billy receiving all the privileges of the “free world” while the rest of the population is still in prison, I’ll bet he is a real crowd favorite with the other con’s! Bet that makes for some interesting times on the yard!
NICE !! as always Billy knows what is cool , that thing should fly ….don’t know about stopping thought. that alright brakes are for pussy’s….
I’m not hatin’ on the guy, I just thought he was still inside. He is a talented builder, I’ll acknowledge that. As far as the other stuff about him I couldn’t care less. Flame on internet heroes!
Nice Billy!!! All you Billy haters suck one, I hate perfect people!!
Nice Billy!!! All you Billy haters suck one!! I hate perfect people!!
Your original comment was meant to stir up shit. peace out
My first issue is anyone else inside, ie John Q Public wouldn’t be allowed these privileges. I don’t recall other cons being allowed to continue building bikes or whatever else their business may have been before being locked up. Not a commentary on Billy’s talent, more a commentary on how we seem to idolize some, especially those seen on TV and how these people seem to be above the rules others are forced to follow.
Second issue is there are a lot of talented builders not in prison, prison work camp, whatever you wanna call it, that could do this project. Just seems like there are others that should get a shot at a project of this magnitude.
Trainiac
Cyril Blog: Billy Lane To Start A Custom Motorcycle Project While Still Behind Bars
http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2012/01/17/billy-lane-starting-a-custom-motorcycle-project-while-still-behind-bars/
Joe Cree…you are right. John Q Public wouldn’t be afforded this opportunity. That said, John Q Public (incarcerated) would also not have the ability to draw the kind of attention that Billy would to a cause like Rolling Thunder. No one is idolizing him and he accepts his punishment. Prison is prison and if you have a problem with it why don’t you exercise your rights and invoke change by way of writing a letter to the warden? You are not invoking any change to the matter by blogging online, you are simply perpetuating and fueling more disdain. I am not chastising you or calling you out. I am just saying that if you believe you have valid points why not air them some where they have the ability to make the changes you want to see? Billy happens to be a friend of mine and I can tell you that he willfully accepts his fate and he also knows that with that comes people that feel he can never serve enough time or pay enough debt. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect it but honestly, lets consider the venue. No one complained when Jesse took Monster Garage to Folsom…he was celebrated. That was for entertainment. This is at least for a worthy cause. Have a great day.
You would have thought that the tax payers of Florida would have sprung for Billy a new Power Hammer and English Wheel so he could have formed a gas tank to fit the curves of the rest of the bike rather than just the straight lines of the sheared sheetmetal tank now showing?
Your original comment was meant to stir up shit. peace out
That was not my intention, my apologies if that’s how it came out. I respect his work, if he’s really trying to make things right I hope he does so with the victim’s family. That is a stand up thing to do.
I have always liked what Billy has created with his bikes. He is a good man and I anxiously await his next creation. Billy is the best and takes responsibility for what he has done. My heart goes out to him. L&R
I have to agree with Joe above, Why is he given these special treatments? No doubt he has talent but then the giuy he killed had tallent at something also. I can’t say about his remorse, or lack thereof , I question the special treatment of being able to build this bike. He was building some great bikes but threw it all away. We all do make mistakes I included, I can only pray he learned and is remorsefull. That being said Prison is for punishment, is building a bike for Rolling Thunder punishment? My point is why the special treatment for him? He was a well known builder, probably a nice guy, but is this bike part of reperation, will it be sold off and ALL procedes given to the guy’s family who he killed? I am not a hater just a logical question asked, why special treatment for a guy who killed another guy while drunk?? thats all
Great Guy Great talent. Anyone one that really knows Billy knows this. no one here has had a beer on a bike? Even the family said he should be free.. Do your research before you speak ill of others.. I’ll be at bike week if you want to come up and talk to me on this…. Great Times Billy, see you soon, stay strong..
Must be a generational thing. I don’t drink before I ride or while I’m out riding. I like haivng my wits about me avoiding all the cages trying to kill me daily.
We’ll know the answer to everything once billy gets out. If he stays straight then peeps need to let it drop if he gets back on the sauce and starts fucking up again then the haters will be “I told you so”
Billy ain’t in a “prison” prison, he’s in a work farm. He is required to work there. Here’s teaching his skills to other inmates. As for this so-called “special treatment” John Q Public kills other people on the roads every day, some of them will be DUI, but only a few of those will go to jail.
When Billy gets out all the H8ers will be there cupping his balls and trying to force beers on to him so they can FaceBoob about meeting a celebrity. And if Billy refuses, these same people will be whining about him being an elitist douche.
That is going to be one cool ride. I love the CAC style fork and short coupled frame. The man still knows how to build . Good luck to you Billy.
Billy is paying for his mistakes without complaint. That makes him more of a man than most people you will meet. Good luck Billy
As is, this bike could build as an “upright” with “Buckhorn” style (w/that graceful, tight-radius change of direction) that reach back, and a 6″ headlamp that’s perched above the top tree. With an OE-style seat post, cut it down to a height of 28″. [My knuckle is 28-3/16″ to the center of the seat bar clevis pin, w/o the motor].
or, a “clip-on barred, tank hugger” would be another way. The OE “speedster” or 1936-47 standard (arms out) bars as shown work with less wind resistance with “upriight” seating [ride a distance behind an OE knuckle and it seems as though the riders arms are less than level. If a person reaches over the tank, but too wide, then he becomes a scoop?
Liking the spool hubs and “paperboy” service-duty spokes and rims. Akront’s always looks good there. Those are “clincher”? – look like 3:75?
Looks nimble. Might be an understatement at 93″ … on clincher rims. 🙂
People like to see OE style parts (like V-Twin rejects) say a seat post, cut up and still functioning as intended, even maybe with one of those old [cad plated] outer valve springs bouncing on the seat post…. some THING (parts assembly) that is a direct “chopped” descendant of the of the original, but installed in the project cleverly, that will emphasize it’s original utility.
The forks look a cross between an English bicycle-prop, from the Himalayan exhibit (Nepal) [ secretly attached to the exterior wall of a hut] … and a JD or twin cam castle-top.
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“Do your time as heavy as you can”, is what everybody in lockup understands, whether you learn computer skills, or beat on drums, or teach, or work in industries (if you’re extremely lucky) , the more positive a roll you keep vic’s on, the better for everybody eventually
Springtime sucks locked up, keep cool and busy.
Billy,
Thanks for doing what you do best.
Hope your efforts help some of the nay sayers to use their own talents rather than sit at their computers hacking out insults whilerather insisting that their creative mind remain a blank canvas.
Mike
@ Branden & Paul , what part of that “stuff in wiki” wasn’t true ?
It’s pretty wearisome. Is it not possible to mention Billy lane’s name and not rehash the accident,trial,and incarceration.
Redemption has always been part of American culture.
All what I read in Wiki is true.
should be a show stopper for billy..
Back in the day I was in prison for assorted immature stupidity. After a while I made it to a minimum security facility and secured school release to finish a year small engine class that I had started in the free world. Well to make a long story short free worlder brought in his 76 Sportster for a tune up and shifting problems and I was tasked to do the project. I jumped in and rebuilt the clutch and ended up replacing some of the tranny bushings and of course timing and plugs. I learned a lot and to finish the project and had to take it for a test drive. Well the campus was large and rural so I took it out for a spin on the campus roads. I could of kept on going but with less than six months left I decided to be very honest and come back . I thought I was the only person in the world at that time (1980) who was driving a Sportster while stll in prison. It was a great day for me and I ended up graduating and getting released soon after. Billy is allowed to participate because it is part of his rehab and will be out soon having learned a few things I am sure. Just because one was convicted of a crime does not make them a bad person. I never went back to my old ways and have been a free man since.
Billy Lane is the first person to build a custom motorcycle in prison. NOT. Pick up a history book you knuckle heads. I’m pissed off that people in prison got to see Johnny Cash in concert for free. I never got to see Johnny. OUT
We have the exclusive on the build and we’ve been down to visit Billy and the correctional staff. If you want to know what’s going on inside read the write up we do and you’ll get answers to a lot of these asinine accusations. Billy was my friend before he went in, remains a friend and will continue to be a friend. And I’ll defend him as such. For all you pious, holier than thou critics, you need to get your facts right before spouting off looking like complete assess.
We bought almost all of the tooling and special equipment, got him the parts and hardware and work everyday to make this happen. We will be down there again next week. Not only will his facility benefit, but the every correctional institution in the state will benefit. It’s much, much bigger than Billy.
Hammer. Isn’t jay allen, ex broken spoke saloon, who obtained authorization from the ward to let billy lane build a bike while doing time?
Jay Allen and the guys from Rolling Thunder put this together, correct. We were asked to do the exclusive, per Billy’s family. Since then, we, especially Steve Broyles, have invested a lot of time and money to make this a success. We bought a mechanics set tool box, obtained welders, parts, fasteners etc. all on our own, including doing what we could to get components. It’s been a real challenge, but one that we enjoy meeting.
Hammer. You brought the tools, the parts, etc to the ward, but did you buy anything? Or all this was given away by vendors like engine by S&S and others? If it’s the case, it would prove that it’s only an advertising/promo campaign for all those involved, using billy lane name and work to promote themselves. Hmmm.
Hey Hammer,
Where can we go to read up on Billy and the build. Always loved Billy’s work.
If he needs a hand tooled seat, I’ll donate to the cause!! 😉
Ray, yes, “I” bought many of the tools, etc. It was placed on my credit card and billed to me without reimbursement. We did get a lot of donations, that’s true. In some cases I bartered; ads for parts. My personal, out of pocket expenses were not cheap.
The current issue of The Horse has a nice write up with time lines for the build plus an explanation how this will have an impact across Florida Correctional Institutions. The issue we’re putting together now has current pictures and some cool stuff in it.
Back to the bike…….The motor mount “cradle structure” reminds me of the motor mount assy on some of the aircraft I used to work on, if this is going to be an aircraft themed bike that is a brilliant design cue!
Looking forward to seeing the completed bike, good luck Billy and crew!
Keep it up Billy, Love that 93″ S&S Knucklehead and the rake look perfect for me
(ret) SGT CIB OIF 2003
Very innovative concept, has me wondering. Most curious about the tank, front end. Only makes sence to have split tank for oil and gas. But then how will the line route?? Has me guessing. Thank you Billy and crew!!!
Always nice work from Billy and good stuff for all involved – kudos to the folks that made this happen!
Billy, I’m behind you 100%. What happened to you could have happened to any one of us. Good luck on the build, I know it’ll be (another) winner!! God Bless ya man!
We were forced to listen to all the “Why does he get to build a bike in prison” crap months ago.. Some of you need to get current.. After you realize you have nothing new to add, then click back on to your Disney homepage and finish working out your color by number picture.. The adults are speaking here
The first thing that came to my mind reading the article was I don’t see how he can keep the weight below 400 lbs. I’ve tried using super low weight components and that is what I see as the biggest challenge. The second thing that came to my mind as I read the comments, I remember a “BRO” finishing up his stint circa 1980 in NH State Prison, I was allowed to bring him a motor and transmission and other parts fo him to work on in the prison shop. I remember how important those visits were to him and helped him to focus on the positive and the future. Best wishes to Billy and the cause. Remember the cause!!
When a man is drowning you don’t lean on his shoulders; you pull him up by the collard.
It’s good that Billy Lane can make bikes in prison and share his knowledge with other inmates so they will have some skill for when they get out. Punishing and taking all pleasures away from detainees only makes them harder and more rebellious.
People learn through success, not failure.
It’s all about forgiveness
great to see something positive come out of prison.
Larry…truer words have not been spoken on this subject.
billy or no billy, the people that bag someone whos in jail,,, doin his damest,, teachn other inmates things they never knew,, etc etc etc,, have got my vote FULLON !! its got nuthn to do with youz!! period!! and,, more importandly,, dont you all think its time to leave him alone!! think twice b4 most of you put down a whole lota shit on blogs such as these. billy woudnt have time for over half of yas ,in jail or out ! and you know what, when he gets out, i hope he has a double, a smoke, and a root,,,, coz most of yas,, are just wankers !!.. havn said that,, BAG ME !! FU,,,,,K WITS !! tony gee.
It’s always cool to see a bike at this stage of the build, your imagination runs wild with what “you” think it will look like, even given the military theme. I am sure the final peroduct will be amazing and not what most of us thought.
As mentioned in eariler posts, Billy is in a Work Camp, what do you do while at a work camp?? Why, work of course and those who have expertise in certain areas can pass on their expertise on to those who have not. Ummm, not sure but I am pretty sure that’s what “rehabilitation” is all about.
If any of you can honestly look at yourself and say there has never been a point in your life that you made a mistake that you wish you could take back but couldn’t, then you are truly a special person.. Then remember that time and realise how much you wanted people to not so much forgive but empathize and understand. He is doing what he was told to do, for the system to work, you need to person to do their time and the public to understand that time has been done.
I am not religous but one thing I like about my younger learnings is “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone” somehow, I feel there are not too many of you that are without sin. I know I am not without sin.
Looking good Billy, I knew you would find a way to do what you so much enjoy doing. I can wait to see it done. Your a good man, Great builder and a good friend Billy keep up the great work. Looking forward to when you get out Bro.
Cliff
@getyourheadoutifyourass! Why don’t you do as your name says. I have Been to the PRISON Billy has called home for the last 2 years to visit him. You are talking shit he has to do the same shit everyone else does. He does not get any special treatment from the guards or anyone else for that matter. The prison system here in Florida is broke. I’m sure that they brokered a deal to make some cash or have tools or whatever. Steve Broyles who is a great guy did not have to do this but he got it done. Bottom line Billy made a mistake in his life and is paying for it everyday. He’s doing more time for his crime than the average guy does here in Florida . Why can’t you just get YOUR head outta your ass you cum wad! I was there at the court house when he went away and I have been to the prison that he is serving his time. He’s taking his punishment like a man question is can YOU!!
@Trainiac
Billy is a personal friend. I can tell you that he and has made things right with the victims family a long time ago. At the sentencing hearing they spoke on Billy’s behalf and asked that he not go to prison but instead start a charity on the victims behalf to benefit the children of people killed in DUI accidents. Just a little inside info FYI
Billy is a stand up guy from the word go. You can’t bet your ass on that .
@Hammer,
BTW I’m not the Other “Ray” on here you have been talking to.
But as Billy’s Friend I thank you for setting the record straight with the facts. I think the world Of Steve Broyels he is a great guy and a true brotha and a gentleman . I have had the pleasure of dealing with you and The Horse Staff when you and Geno ran a feature on my bike when you had the Ft.Lauderdale Horse bike show. Hats off to you guys. Thanks for being a friend to Billy and sticking by him!!
bring it on ray, dont stop there ol mate !!
Joe Cree……Joe Q Public isn’t in prison & TEACHING other inmates classes on how to weld & other skills to maybe have a chance to do something when they get out.
Joe Q Public isn’t in Prison & working on the police vehicles for the state of Florida.
& as stated…Joe Q Public didn’t make things right with the family & have the family voice in court that he SHOULD NOT do time….
Alot of people like to hate & talk crap when they are safe behind their computer, but fact is, everyone makes mistakes. Billy owned up to it, is making it right & deserves a chance to do what he does. That is the biggest flaw of our system. No one is given a chance. If people who went to prison all learned a skill & then were able to get work with a real living wage, then maybe they wouldn’t end up back in prison.
I’m sure there are a ton of great bike builders young & old we never heard of. If you have a problem with who they chose to build the bikes, please contact Rolling Thunder about it. Give them all the names of those who would have been better choices in your opinion, but quit coming here & bitch about it. Cyrill is just covering it. If you don’t like Billy & don’t like his work or products, don’t rad about it, don’t buy his products….
I wonder how much it would cost to “make it right” if someone killed a member of my family. How much is a human life worth? How much would it cost to make me testify on behalf of the killer?
Luis……. Don’t be a dumbass! Since you have no clue of what actually happened here. First of all there is such a thing as forgiveness . With that said I happen to have met the Morelock family and they are extremely nice and understanding people. They saw this for what it was ; An in intentional act that lead to the death of there loved one. Do you drink? That is a simple question. If you said yes you have been in a the same position billy put himself in except you didn’t get in a wreck and have someone subsequently die. If you said no then lucky you. How much money do you think Billy had? Enough to pay off the family? Don’t be ridiculous and talk shit you have no clue about it only shows what a mental midget you really are. Get your facts straight then perhaps you may have something intelligent to say.
Not the bars will take the bikes!
I must say that I have know Billy and Warren for years now. I had the utmost distinct pleasure of meeting and hanging with his mom last night at garland flatlands shop in daytona! I can truly say that her spirit shines through BOTH of her boys!!!!.I will be most pleased when his return to the industry is outside the bars…he will prevail and conquer ….I presume…heads up shoulders back…triumph over diversity!
we ALL have been through some hoopla in life …its how you overcome it that is the IMPORTANT part!
Sorry ARLIN …typo!
I think Billy has built some cool stuff, BUT shouldn’t the garage builder get a chance to do some of the so called BIG builds .
There you go a new TV show The “The Garage Builder” build off….. I know you’d have some new hot builders just like those other TV shows.
All this talk about giving the little guy a chance for the “Big Builds”… Everyone does not get a trophy there buddy.. If you are accomplished then you get a shot, otherwise you need to make your own destiny. Billy and the other top builders were the little guy one time. They struggled and they made it. If you want a shot a building then do like the rest of us and get out in your shop, build one better then anyone else, get it in the big show, get a 4 page spread in your favorite rag then market yourself to your target clientel. But don’t give me this crap about everyone getting a fair shake… Make your own luck.. The luck is in the tools-get on ’em
I dig how there are still people who search Billy’s name out on the google box just to make sure the salt is still being tossed at the wound. Do you really think he’s in prison looking for any way to build bikes? How would he have the resources to pull that off? I can just imagine what the picture looks like in the minds of these flawless people: Billy in a hotel room cell complete with roman tub, fitted sheets, adjacent office w/PC to conduct his business from the inside…. MWUHAAAAHAHAHAHA! I can tell you that he lives amongst the population in there and has no special treatment other than commissary items not afforded by some of the other inmates. You should also know that he was asked by the good people of Rolling Thunder to do this build thru the warden of that facility. I’m pretty sure that warden and the state of Florida had to sign off on this. Aren’t you so angry at Florida? Why not? Aren’t you beside yourself with Rolling Thunder for thinking of Billy for a tribute to the armed forces as he always was an avid supporter of the young men and women of this country who sacrifice themselves selflessly for the rest of us internet complainers? No? How come? That warden also assigned Billy to work in their motor pool department while they have him. He gets to do a job he knows to be more useful to the state instead of cooking meals or doing laundry all day. Man that must just burn your ass huh? You should write a letter to that crooked warden now that you have the straight dope on whats going on in there. Maybe include a suggestion to bring back stoning in that letter. Yea, I bet it doesn’t sit well with other inmates that he’s building a motorcycle to be showcased to a million people in DC, and I know he has to look over his shoulder now more than he already had to before. Don’t worry about him, he can handle himself. Here’s the deal in a sentence: The man made a name for himself in his industry, then made a mistake that he’s now paying for with fill remorse.
I had the opportunity to see the finished product displayed in D.C. and what a great build from a “tested” Engineer and builder (Billy Lane). My daughter was with Billy’s Mom and sister this past weekend. What should be noted here is another little-discussed consideration and that is the Air Force bike was build using no expensive automated CNC, hammer mills, or elaborate diagnostics; rather the hands of a gifted craftsman and innovative builder. Not taking away from the other great bikes in the Rolling Thunder display in D.C. (Coast Guard, Army, Navy…) but Billy built the Air Force bike with very limited resources at his disposal (BTW Hammer; get ahold of me if I can help with tools or materials…read the second sentence to Billy and he will get it). Now if we line up all the other bike builders under these same conditions, what would they come up with (if they even could)? If this doesn’t reflect the determination and character of a man; then you just ain’t got a clue. Prison is a little about reform, but alot about reflection…some get it; some don’t and if I’ve read Billy’s character correctly, he will be even better than before.
what better way to rehabilitate than get them into positive work.good on you prision officals.cant wait to view the new bike.
Hope I get to do what I love when I get to prison.