Question: What’s cool and fast, blue and silver, and up for grabs?
Answer: a custom built motorcycle to be raffled off Sept. 21.
Chuck Fortinberry, president of Clarkston Chrysler Jeep, is gearing up for the annual David and Wanda Harrison Memorial Charity Ride to raise money for Children’s Leukemia. Foundation of Michigan. He’s hoping about 350 friends and neighbors will join him.
Participants will be treated to a late lunch while they mingle with friends and get ready to ride, and at 5:30 p.m. the group will roar out of the dealership with a full police escort.
After winding through the countryside, riders will cap off the evening with a performance by Lynyrd Skynyrd at DTE.
‘This ride is unique,? Fortinberry said. ‘It’s a beautiful ride through our own backyard here in northern Oakland County, which is some of the most beautiful land in the state, and let’s not forget it’s for a great cause.?
CLF is a non-profit organization founded in1952 by a group of parents who each lost a child to leukemia. Today, the organization assists families by providing information, financial assistance, and support to children and adults affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and related blood disorders.
Fortinberry said he likes the fact that much of the money raised by CLF supporters stays in Michigan and funnels directly to families affected by the disease.
‘All the services they provide are for our friends and neighbors right here in the community, and across Michigan,? said Fortinberry, who now sits on CLF’s board of directors. ‘Often, one parent has to leave work when their child becomes sick; most of the money raised goes directly to helping those families.?
This year, in addition to the ride and concert, organizers brainstormed and came up with a new idea: a custom-built motorcycle to be raffled off on event day.
Betsy Bonnell, CLF’s director of special events, approached the folks at Dozer Cycle’the owner is known simply as ‘Dozer?’and Great American Chopper in Clawson to see if they were interested in helping out.
‘It’s been very exciting,? Bonnell said. ‘They’ve been great. Dozer is very creative and he knows the business well; he really stepped up to the plate and make things happen for us.?
But first things first, said Dozer. When CLF came knocking, it didn’t take him long to see the obvious course of action.
‘I said ‘Lets bring the kids into the showroom,?? he said. ‘We have lots of different motorcycles to look at, lets get them involved.?
So they made some phone calls and brought in a couple of boys currently battling leukemia, along with their siblings.
‘We let them go a little bit crazy,? he said. ‘Young boys in a motorcycle shop’it’s a thrill. They ran around and looked at everything.?
Dozer and colleague Steve Brown listened as the boys came up with one idea after the next as they discussed the project.
The group, he said, talked about everything’from color combinations, exhaust systems, handlebars and wheel shapes to how the gas tank lines and fender lines should look.
Finally, Brown, a graphic artist who frequently works with Dozer, came up with a rendering of the bike.
‘And that’s what I’m building,? said Dozer. ‘It’s the motorcycle the kids saw and what the kids dreamt.?
Based on a Prostreet Softtail design, Dozer describes the bike as a low fast-looking motorcycle’cobalt blue and silver’with a wide rear tire and nice sweeping lines.
ABC Harley, sponsor of Fortinberry’s charity ride from the beginning, donated an 80-cubic inch evolution engine and a 5-speed transmission, and a number of others came through with private donations, as well.
In the meantime, the boys have been back to the shop several times while the project gets underway.
‘It’s actually very enjoyable to get them involved and see their faces light up,? Dozer said. ‘They’re kids; they really don’t know what they’re doing. But they’ll be there to hand me wrenches and point out parts and laugh and giggle and joke and have a good time. And that’s what it’s all about.?
Interested? Purchase tickets for $10 each at Clarkston Chrysler Jeep, online at leukemiamichigan.org or call Betsy Bonnell at 248-353-8222, ext. 227. Only 5000 tickets will be sold.
Motorcycle parts are still needed; call to donate or adopt a part.

Charity Ride
Sept. 21

The David and Wanda Harrison Memorial Ride
Begins at Clarkston Chrysler Jeep
8105 Big Lake Road
$30 per Driver ($25 for rider)
3 p.m. – Registration opens
5:30 p.m. – Ride takes off
6:30 p.m. – Arrive at DTE Energy Music Theatre
7 p.m.Motorcycle raffled (need not be present to win)
7:30 p.m. – Concert Begins
Lawn seating and VIP parking included in registration; While on-site registration is available, riders are encouraged to pre-register to ensure parking and concert ticket availability.
For more information check leukemiamichigan.org or call Betsy Bonnell at 248-353-8222, ext. 227