Last chance for the public to see chopper for several months til Ali Center renovations are complete
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (January 5, 2018) — Bluegrass Harley-Davidson and the Muhammad Ali Center are happy to announce a unique collaboration that will allow Harley-Davidson customers, cycle enthusiasts and Ali fans the opportunity to show off a piece of Louisville history. This weekend, Bluegrass Harley-Davidson will have on display the custom-made Muhammad Ali Orange County Chopper (OCC) at their facility which has previously resided in the Muhammad Ali Center’s Main Lobby. The public is invited to a special viewing and open house on Saturday, January 6th from 10am-6pm at Bluegrass Harley-Davidson, 11701 Gateworth Way in Louisville and on Sunday, from 12 noon-4pm. Free drinks and appetizers will be available on Saturday.
Due to upcoming Ali Center renovations, the chopper had to be moved and will be placed in secure storage after this weekend until the Ali Center’s upgrades have been completed. Bluegrass Harley-Davidson expedited the transfer of the bike.
The Ali Center’s renovations include a complete redesign of its Main Lobby, the Center’s retail store, and the Group Entrance. These enhancements will provide the Center the opportunity to deliver a better overall visitor experience and more contemporary private event space. Upgrades are expected to take a couple of months.
“We’re extremely excited for the opportunity to show off a Louisville legend’s custom chopper and help the Ali Center with transportation,” said Jordan Monschein of Bluegrass Harley-Davidson.
About the Muhammad Ali Orange County Chopper
This motorcycle was designed and custom-made by Orange County Choppers (OCC), a world famous custom motorcycle manufacturer, in 2005. Internationally renowned for their beautifully crafted custom motorcycles, their fame was buttressed when their mechanical works of art were tapped as the basis for the hit reality television series “American Chopper,” which made its debut on the Discovery Channel in 2003. This striking T-Rex Rigid is a wonderful example of Orange County Chopper’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, featuring custom fabrications and paint designs inspired by Ali and executed by Paul Teutul, Sr. and his son, Paul Teutul, Jr. After several years off the air, the Discovery Channel is reviving the iconic motorcycle-construction reality series in 2018.
The bike, an impressive ten feet from tip to tail, houses a Rev Tech motor capable of producing 110 horsepower. It was created for and auctioned off at Celebrity Fight Night, a charity event held annually in Phoenix, Arizona. In its 20 year history, Celebrity Fight Night has raised $142 million dollars that has provided valuable support to many charities, primarily the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute as its primary beneficiary. Bob Parsons, founder and CEO of Godaddy.com, offered the winning bid and gave the bike to Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest,” as a gift. Shortly after receiving it, Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie, graciously loaned it to the Muhammad Ali Center so visitors may be able to enjoy its exceptionality.
About Bluegrass Harley-Davidson
Bluegrass Harley-Davidson has been under new ownership since March of 2014. Our mission is to fulfill the dreams of personal expression and freedom. When you’re at Bluegrass H-D, you’re family. Bluegrass H-D, Experience The Difference! For more information, visit www.bluegrasshd.com
About the Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center, a 501(c)3 corporation, was co-founded by Muhammad Ali and his wife Lonnie in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The international cultural center promotes the Six Core Principles of Muhammad Ali (Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality) in ways that inspire personal and global greatness and provides programming and events around the focus areas of education, gender equity, and global citizenship. Its newest initiative, Generation Ali, fosters a new generation of leaders to contribute positively to their communities and to change the world for the better. The Center’s headquarters also contains an award-winning museum experience. For more information, please visit www.alicenter.org.
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