Perewitz Builds Theme Bike For World Wind Power Conference

Appearing along with Jay Leno and Ted Turner at the recent American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Wind Power Conference in Anaheim, Calif., Dave Perewitz left little doubt the motorcycle industry would be hard pressed to find a more competent, adaptable and universally respected ambassador.

Early last year representatives of AWEA contacted Perewitz regarding his designing and building a Wind Power themed bike to be the center piece for the 2011 conference. Perewitz recognized the opportunity to introduce the industry to a rapidly expanding, sophisticated, technically savvy community and went for it.

Recognizing the unique, cutting edge nature of the exhibition, Perewitz went with a sleek, contemporary, strictly business mount that would appeal to the technically sophisticated mind set of the AWEA membership. And it proved dead on as it took its place as the centerpiece on opening day. Riding onto the stage with AWEA CEO as passenger, the bike brought the crowd of thousands to their feet and became the object of discussion in more languages than one could recognize.

The acceptance continued at the invitation only dinner where the bike and Perewitz were introduced on a more intimate level by none other than motorhead and true bike enthusiast Jay Leno. Flanked by Jay, and custom motorcycle and automotive dignitaries Bob Clark, Matt Hotch, Danny Gray and Chuck Fredrick’s and Paul McKelvey from Renegade, Dave spent hours mentally and verbally rebuilding the bike for an audience thirsting for every detail.

The bike itself was designed and built by Perewitz, his daughter Jody and the entire Perewitz Cycle Fabrications crew. Based on Perewitz familiar road proven custom format the bike is built around a stretched custom swing arm chassis fit with TP 121 power and Baker RHD 6-Speed. Finished in Champaign with Wind Power art applied by Perewitz the Wind Power theme in carried off by a set of one off custom rims designed and built exclusively for the occasion by Renegade Wheels in Orange, California.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.