Organised by Australian cult motorcycle store Deus Ex Machina, the event is in it’s 5th year and is a competition that celebrates the ingenuity and creativity of backyard motorcycle builders across the world.

The Bike Build Off is held annually in Sydney, Bali, LA, Milan and Tokyo and bikes are judged on their sense of humour, artistry and the builder’s ability to do the most with the least. This year the Sydney arm of the event attracted 47 entrants including a unique mono-wheel motorcycle that was a crowd favourite.

Mr Doherty was inspired to enter the competition by his mate and fellow motorcycle builder Mick Birchall. Also from Orange, Mick died earlier this year and Deus decided to honour his memory as one of Australia’s most talented bike builders by naming the 2016 People’s Choice award in his honour. His family, including his three children Archie, Max and Izabelle travelled from Orange to Sydney for the event and to present the trophy.   

“I have been tinkering with bikes for over 20 years but it wasn’t until Mick told me about the Bike Build Off that I decided to start modifying bikes,” he said.

Mr Doherty is no stranger to winning at the Deus Bike Build Off, coming second at last year’s event. This year’s entry bike was built using a heavily modified 2006 Honda CB frame and a 1970 250cc 2 stroke motor. The judges said that Mr Doherty’s extreme passion, skill and boundless enthusiasm contributed to his win.

“I started planning next year’s build on the way home from this year’s event,” he said.

Mr Doherty wants to add even more creativity to his next build. “I just love it,” he said. “The satisfaction of building something from nothing with your own bare hands just can’t be beat.”