The Kennedy Project

The Kennedy Project
By Scottie Ard
Story Line by JR Steele

Everyone knows that smoking ain't allowed in school and you should never break the rules. Never, unless you are on mission to smoke the tire of a 1957 FLH and in so doing start a fire for knowledge that can not be put out in the minds of students. Kevin Baas has started just such a fire at Kennedy High School in Bloomington, Minnesota.

When Baas arrived in 1996, a fresh graduate in Manufacturing and Technology; he found a shop ill equipped to teach basic skills and program funding that was nonexistent.
Having made enough mail boxes during his own high school years, Baas was determined to change the rules of school.

"I started scamming and thinking about what I could do to make the shop cool for the kids. I wanted to teach the kids all the skills needed for metal working. When I started teaching and getting enrollment up, I looked to the popularity of the choppers to spur the students." Baas said.
Baas purchased a basket case 1957 FLH to kick start the students beginnings as bike builders.
"I showed the students all the components and explained what everything represented and how to properly install each item. We then set up weekly goals, where we wanted the bike to be. We spent each week working to achieve that goal. One week we talked about machining and used the school lathe to machine axle spacers. Another week we used our CNC plasma cutting machine to make the FLH '57 Pan remote oil filter bracket as well as the custom "OLD SKOOL" skull side mount license plate bracket. Every aspect of the bike build was incorporated into my classes to help the students better understand the old skool way of chopper building." Said Baas.
Baas says it's not easy to make ends meet in education. The CNC Plasma Cutter was partially donated by an Ohio company with the class raising money from the sale of metal signs and donations received.

Baas says the program has great people who supported the 57'FLH project.
"Heavy Metal Customs in Faribault, Minnesota stepped up to the plate and has provided parts for cost or less as well as expertise during the building process. Paul Cox, put us in the front of his work list to do the seat and Billy Lane sent Six Gun Risers and Whiskey Bars." Baas said.
The students and Baas are never ending in their pursuit to challenge themselves. The 1957 FLH is up and burning rubber.
The next mission is on the board. The mission: Build a custom chopper for entry into the Donnie Smith Invitational in March and then auction the Bike with the proceeds going to the Kennedy Project. Baas says students have been busy tracking down support for the project. All parts for a bike are needed.

The following is a partial list:

Frames Front Ends Cables
Wheels Tires Lights
Brakes Motor/Tranny Tanks
Primary Handlebars Seats
Risers Headlights Fenders
Kick Stand Peanut Tank Sheet Metal
Electrical Components
Levers Painter

All donations and contributions are tax deductible. Duplicate parts will be used on future projects.

Current Kennedy Project Sponsors:

Heavy Metal Customs, Mike & Noah
Faribault, MN
Indian Larry - Paul Cox - Billy Lane
TBEAR -T-Shirts NewYork
Spartan Frame Works, George Counes
Tucson, AZ
Sucker Punch Sallys (Old School Choppers)
Jeff Cochran & Donny Loos
Fairfield, Ohio

If you would like to donate, support or contribute to the Kennedy Project please contact: Scottie Ard 612-385-8109 or ScottieArd@comcast.net

This is the first in a series that will follow the bike building progress of Kevin Baas and his students.