The saddlebags, seat, exhaust, and gas tank have been removed from the damaged stock Harley-Davidson motorcycle as part of a unique bike re-build program designed to provide inspiration and support for the girls and young women of the Abbott House, a private residential treatment center for girls ages 7- to 17 who are at risk of not reaching adulthood, and have suffered trauma and abuse. The project, a partnership between Helping with Horsepower™, Abbott House and several sponsors, will be completed in late May.

Laura Klock, vice president of Klock Werks Kustom Cycles and creator of this Helping with Horsepower™ program, is on hand every week to assist girls with the project.

“This project gives Abbott House girls the opportunity to learn powerful life lessons while transforming a damaged motorcycle into a beautiful machine, just like they transform themselves into amazing young women,” Klock said. “Every week, this class is truly a journey of learning for the girls and for me. It is an opportunity for us to work together to create something better.”

Many leading industry businesses have also recognized the value in this project and have stepped up to support this cause including Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, Gear Wrench, Lindby Custom, Inc., Vance & Hines, the Vance Family Foundation, Mustang Motorcycle Seats, Paul Holdsworth of IronWorks Magazine, and Carl Brouhard Designs. In addition to giving the girls practical experience and life skills, the Abbott House will benefit from Helping with Horsepower™ as the finished motorcycle will be raffled to raise needed funds for the organization charity.

According to Eric Klooz, director of the Abbott House, the project couldn’t come at a better time. “We are fortunate to have this project as part of our programming and our fundraising efforts,” Klooz said. “It helps us help girls while simultaneously raising awareness and money to replace a $150,000 decrease in funding this year.”

Abbott House girls have been involved in creating the paint design for the rebuilt bike and they submitted ideas to name the bike. A sketch of the bike with its new paint design and name will soon be available. Raffle tickets for the bike will go on sale April 1. They will be available online at www.abbotthouse.org and at various businesses in Mitchell and across South Dakota.