Ricky Hudson, left, owns American Motorcycle Co. on Slim Island Road and runs the business with the help of his good friend Todd McClendon, both from Bowling Green. Hudson’s exposure to mechanics and bikes came at an early age. His father owned a motorcycle and worked with his hands on many things, such as cars, bikes and lawnmowers. Hudson worked at a number of shops until 1979 when he opened his own motorcycle service and repair shop, which has gone through only one location change in its 28 years. Hudson has had many different employees, but none of them compare to McClendon. “He’s not just my boss, he’s my best friend,” McClendon said. Hudson and McClendon knew each other vaguely before he hired McClendon. But he came in and asked for a job, Hudson said, and things have worked out perfectly, including the successful completion of their first customized 1952 Harley-Davidson. “I’d rather have him than anybody else,” Hudson said. The two spent 80 hours in a nine-month span to complete the bike. Their work has paid off with recognition at their first showing of the bike in an Easy Rider Tour show in Louisville recently. They have an upcoming Easy Rider show on Saturday in Shelbyville, Tenn.

Kellie Manier is a junior photojournalism major from Elizabethtown. Reach her at chhphotodesk@gmail.com.