My favorite bike builder of all time.

I've over the last few weeks started watching Billy Lane and his content. Watching this reaffirmed my thoughts about him. Such an awesome man... and such an artist! And him having respect for the Military and Veterans such as myself (being a veteran) I have the utmost respect for Billy Lane... he's a strong minded individual and resilient.

I met Billy back in ' 01 or '02. I was a young military guy on TDY. Me and a few other guys went into his shop and started looking around. When he saw us, and could tell we were military, he stopped what he was doing and personally showed us all around his shop, showed us the bike he was currently building, and basically just hung out with us for about half an hour. I was really impressed with how he treated us. I believe him when he says he cares deeply for the military folks.

Nice to see all the support for Billy and positivity towards him. I used to watch biker build off and Billy was in my mind a talented and personable guy. Hope to see more great bikes from him 👊

Thank you to all the men and women who served this country!!❤️👊❤️👊

What a great group of people. Thank you all. The sweet sweet lady in the first of the video, the brother on the bike at the start, the awesome warden, and of course Billy Lane. Billy and Indian Larry are the greatest bike builders to ever grace us with their presence. They will never ever be surpassed in my book. I love you brothers. Jack Martin Crawford III, Knoxville TN.

Well done Bill your a legend brother after watching your videos years ago I took the plunge to chop my triumph thunderbird 1600 2010 and change it to a bobber I done all the work myself motivated from watching you in biker build off you inspired me at a time I'd lost my way I wish you the best my freind

Billy Lane you're a humble honest genuine human being who made a horrible mistake but you will get through this.

I am a member of the USAF currently deployed to Afghanistan. I am honored by what Billy lane has done for us with this build. How somebody can be in prison dealing with their own day to day challenges and still find the heart to take this on for someone else is inconceivable to me. I have lost several AF brothers to OIF and OEF and what Billy has done brings a tear to my eye. Billy really is a truly righteous brother!!

Billy is a guy I'd love to turn some wrenches with or really just hang out and shoot the shit. Dude is extremely humble and you can tell by listening to him/ people that have personally met him or talked to him that he's a genuine/ real person with a heart of gold. These type of folks are extremely rare, especially nowadays in this crazy ass world we live in. Such a cool project to be able to take part in while being locked up. Jail/ prison sucks, based on the 4 places I've been, but this facility looks like it has some decent staff surprisingly. Cool video, thank you for sharing bro!😁👍💪

A great deal of support goes out to Billy, I have never met him, but I will continue to support him. ROCK ON BROTHER BILLY!!!!!!!!

So glad to hear that you are so passionate about helping the family of the victim. Good show, my man.

I did time with billy @ orlando work release/transition center and this man isnt happy or proud what he did. I lived with/talked this man for several months before I got out and this man was so humble and HONEST about what he did so any of you fools who think you have an idea about him, screw you. HE KNOWS WHAT HE DID AND HES NOT OKAY WITH IT. I respected this man and he gave me hope to be a better man. I'm 23 years old and no longer a convict after doing 30 months in prison for a DUI with bodily injury charge

I love BILLY Lane's Creative work as a Bike Builder and Rider killer

beautiful build my heart broke when I turned on the news the day after this terrible accident it was a very tragic thing to have to happen to a very gifted man it just shows you no matter how popular or rich we are this can happen to anybody I know he will overcome this and this guy's family has forgiven him for this tragedy so we can expect to see some good things come out of this he is and always will be my favorite bike builder !

Great job Billy! Can't wait till you get out and see you using your skills again. God speed.

TV gets edited to whatever the producer wants you to see. I have hung out with Billy a few times. I live in the same town he is from and the first time I met him, he invited me to ride to another stop down the road. Me and my wife hung out with him and a few of his friends that afternoon and ended up having dinner with him and some of his crew that night, he picked up our tab and was as approachable as any body on the street, Very down to earth and friendly. Dont let the TV image fool you.

Billy Lane is a badass of a bike builder but im sorry about the situation hes got himself into and my prayers are with him hoping he stay outta the way of the prison gangs and staying dramafree he comes back in the world doing what he does best and thats fixing those bikes godspeed Billy

Awesome Bike......He's doing his time. I'm sure he has thought many days and nights about what happened and is extremely sorry for what happened. That being said it doesn't mean he should stop doing what he is great at.. Hang in there Billy I hope you are out soon.

Everybody deserves a second chance. If Billy decides to build bikes again, I would very much like to work with him to build my bike of a lifetime.

Lets not forget two things....1 EVERY PERSON IN PRISON is given the opportunity to reform and make something of themselves. 2. Billy wasn't the only person that was intoxicated the day of the accident...the victim was also and had no business on the road either.

I'm Very Close to the victim's Brother and Nephew and the truth that night, when Billy is free, he is going to do something very special for Family and Nephew, yes Everyone Makes Bad Decisions and Billy happened to that night, I know the Cab Company/Owner Personally and any time Billy wanted to party he always called him to drive him, the one night he didn't, forever changed Peoples Life, Knowing The Family Personally,The Family Found And Gave Forgiveness Within Their Own Hearts, So May You Also

The man has served his time and he is a great bike builder. Things happen in life but I'm sure some people are going to keep bringing his past up. Yeah it's bad for the person's family that died. Everyone else should keep their mouths shut. Good luck Billy Lane.

Great job billy !!! I glad you was able to press on in there and build this great bike !! I know it will mean alot

all you haters, if you've never met Billy Lane, shut the hell up. He's one of the nicest and best people I've ever met

Billy Lane is one of my favorite bike builders along with Indian Larry and RIP

Billy Lane is an awesome person, Mr Lane if you ever read this, i was there with you at the Orlando Bridge. Your good people

billy is an artist,its weird that the design is so spot and with the future despite he is in jail and not in the loop anymore...he is way ahead of alot of designs being put on the market today. yes he costed someone a life,but from what i read he teaching bikebuilding to inmates,so maybe he saving some lives also,in any case we all have to live with what we have done.

Lane was always my fave. Indian Larry’s bikes were very cool as well

Continue on your path Billy... God will not turn away from you, your gift can be used for his glory

So glad Billy is out of prison. He messed up, but he payed for it. One of the baddest bike builders out there, behind Indian Larry. And sons of speed is bad ass, I'm joining that shit.

Man its so weird to see him without the dreads.... Hopefully when hes free he will return to what he loves to do.

Again, my prayers go out the family of the man that passed along with the injured individual. I also said a prayer for Mr. Lane. God will judge him, after all who knows his heart, who knows him better? as for the rest of us, know this, we are not beyond reproach. This could have happened to any of us. Let us learn from his mistake and stop the finger pointing. Some of you understand what it is I am trying to say. PEACE Brothers and sisters.

Beautiful bikes keep them coming brother I like eye for detail it’s a unique perspective that I really like and I don’t ride but one of those bad boys could change my mind

I feel terrible for the family of the person Billy killed but he is a great guy who made a terrible mistake and is paying his dues for it. I was fortunate to hang out with him at Biketoberfest and we had dinner with a group of other bike company owners. He is a really down to earth guy and has a true passion for motorcycles. He's also one of the few who actually loves to share his craft with others. Looking forward to when he gets out of prison and gets Choppers Inc back in action.

I’m glad you didn’t lose focus . You made good use of your time . I never doubted you . You don’t give up

Billy has an incredible talent and gift, but those of us that like and respect him need to keep in mind his poor choices lead to a loss of life. To those of us who dislike him we need to remember not to solely judge someone for their mistakes. I do respect his talent, but don't like what he did. Either way how can I judge him? His story isn't finished. It takes a lifetime to see who a person actually is. You like to sit and judge, sit and judge yourself. I'm sure non of us are perfect.

To error is human, perfection is godlike. Who of us can say they are perfect. That family had the strength to forgive him and recruit him to save others...lets all leave it at that...

It's good to hear that your out Billy. I wasn't there for the finish of your build, but it looks good. Hope your still working out and running. Still need you to build me a Triumph too.

I don't think anyone has forgotten what he did. As you'll notice, it is mentioned in the video. There were 4 other bike builders involved with the other 4 bikes. Rolling Thunder asked that he be involved. You should also remember that the point of prison is to "reform" and put productive people back into society.

Lots of folks know about his tragedy.....and yet most continually drink and drive. I will go out on a limb and say God showed him the light. Sometimes we have to hit bottom before we learn to crawl out of the pit. Unfortunately most people will NEVER learn their lesson, no matter how many lives they take. Those are the ones I feel sorry for.

I realize you may find compassion like this hard, but it is out there. Two years ago my aunt was killed in almost the same situation. When sentencing was given the driving record of the man who killed my aunt was given, multiple speeding tickets, 3 DUI's that had been dropped, a long list. My Uncle pleaded that the man's sentenced be modified as he had forgiven him. This is not to say that punishment shouldn't be given, but that even in our society there is still compassion and forgiveness.

Imagine killing a guy while drunk driving and you still get to build a bike in prison for the Air Force no less.

Awesome Bike!!

Imagine be behind bars and getting this chance

I didn't hate him in his wild days and if the change in him is true...... I like him better for what he is now

we want you uot billy!!!!! one more year billy.,hang in there.,god bless you bro......

Billy lane is a very humble person GOD BLESS you brother 🙏

As I read the comments on here I am amazed at the contempt of some of the people have toward someone they don't even know. Billy Lane made a mistake when he got behind the wheel after drinking. Not the first nor will he be the last to do so. He paid the price for is crime. His victims family did the right thing by forgiving him and are trying to go on in the right direction. I do not know Billy Lane personally but did witness him laying on his back in the gutters fixing someone else's motorcycle on Main St in Sturgis so the guy could enjoy the rest of his vacation. How many of you Nay-Sayers would do the same?

I always liked this guy,i hope him success when he gets out. We all deserve a second chance..

Some prison. Gold chains, bike building, guard friends. Wow when celebs go to prison it gets pretty rough.

we miss you Billy

For the people with the stupid comments. If u do your fuckin research, u would know that after this tragedy,Billy went straight to the victims family to show his remorse and regrets for his actions and they FORGAVE HIM. He owned up and paid his debt. He will have to live with his actions for the rest of his life.Hes a good guy that made a mistake. I wish him the best

Hang in there billy

Let's not forget, Gerald Morelock was also intoxicated when he was hit and killed. Two people made irresponsible decisions that day.

So what does the family of the dead guy get? Money? Oh that just makes everything better.

It is unfortunate that repentance comes too late. I have not met Billy Lane but from watching his bike build off and interviews he seems like he has some integrity. This life experience will change Billy but I am afraid that It is the end for "Billy Lane the bike builder". After he gets out he should leave his biker lifestyle behind and become a motivational speaker and address his mistakes to minors. I wish the best to Mr. Lane.

Did a great job building a bike 4 the usaf👍🤝😃amazing job

I feel so sorry for Billy. obviously it is terrible for the victims family and I feel for them too but I think what happened to Billy could happen to almost anyone who drives and most of us forget that!!

don't let hatred destroy you my friend

best bike builder on the planet!

Fortunately he wont be looking for a Job , as he will have orders to build bikes before he is even out . With so many supporters around him , he will be fine.

Billy Lane seems like a genuinely nice guy. I doubt he's ever going to be at peace with the tragedy that he caused - but hopefully his story can do some good if it shines a light on the "bad boy" behaviors that often lead to trouble. Indian Larry, Jesse James, and even Paul Tuetle Sr - all of them have made some really bad choices. It would be cool to see a "20 years after" special on how trouble will find you if you're not being careful.

Love the way the haters want to get on their soap box everytime this is mentioned. All you perfect people throwing stones. BTW, Billy wasn't convicted of drunk driving in this case. Nobody else could have pulled this off, it wasn't 'fun' for him to put 18 hour days into this build, it was a labor of love, to respect the military. But that's not good enough for some of you, you guys are so perfect you wouldn't be happy if he had got life.

He's going to have to get out of jail & prove that he's cleaned up & on a new path. Then he'll be forgiven by the public. But there's a lot of people out there who have lost loved ones to a drunk driver. Don't expect them to become Billy Lane fans.

billy lane as long as iam not American i really liked and still like your work

Love Billy Lane smartest and humble dude!

The bike is built off a vintage platform. What the fuck did you think it was going to have? Hubless wheels? The dude seems pretty humbled. Im sure being in a cage for 5 years will do that to you. Dude is a couple months from being out and did his time like a man. Give him that much.

Yes... Redemption and rehabilitation are a big part of what prison is for... It's not ONLY meant as a punishment.

I wish all the best for you Billy Lane. I will pray for you.

This dude took a life with his reckless lifestyle. Hopefully the victims family forgives him and he learned his lesson.

for some the school of hardknocks is the only way to learn .to learn and change proves a man wise . hope you join the club Billy Lane .

Awesome piece Jay! So glad Billy's still riding . .

Billy Lane made repeated mistakes and didn`t change. He wasn`t legally allowed to drive to begin with. My heart goes out to the family of the gentleman that was killed and his wife, children and entire family and friends.

from what I read in the horse backstreet choppers, there was an agreement that billy would teach inmates the craft of metal working, not sure if it is true though

I have his risers on my sporty! Love his style. Met him a few times at bike week in Daytona. Allways polite! I was very upset with him for what happened. I used to drink and drive in the 80's but, then I grew up! He's my age! That said...He's paying his due's and Iknow he feels like shit for his " mistake "! Cant wait to see more bikes in the future from him.

Anyone know how Billy is doing now? I always liked his charisma and character. The way he was with Indian Larry was what solidified my respect for him. None of us are perfect, he’s a good dude that fucked up..

Billy Lane was chosen for this job because of his talent and they knew he is good at challenges and getting the job done. Yeah he made a mistake...WE ALL have. That just makes him human like anybody else. So at the end of the day you can say what you want about him, Who are WE to JUDGE HIM??? Whether if he's labeled an Inmate, or something else, the fact still remains and the end of it all...he's still huMAN!!!!

Good luck billy, I would love to own one of the first bikes you build when you get out.

Unfortunately people drink and drive, I have a good friend I like very much who has a drink problem and sometimes drives under the influence. He was banned before and still does it. He's a very generous, kind person. But what he does is wrong.

thats a good man there we all make mistakes and he is trying his best to make up for it good luck billy in the future

He was and still are a very great guy. Who are some ppl to judge him for one single thing. Sure he was under the influence and hit someone, but i guarantee you, that there isnt a day gone by that he doesnt regret that. Let the one without fault throw the first rock anyone? This could happen to most of us in one way or another. I think Billy Lane along with Indian Larry is/was the 2 greatest bikebuilders in the us.

I just subscribed Nice video. Billy is trying so hard to make up for his mistake. Thanks for sharing this.I also post motorcycle content from Canada

To All.. Judge not lest you be Judged !!!!!! The people that have had the occasion or opportunity to talk to him, Know him best. The truth resides in them, the rest are just wishing and guessing !!!! Gods Speed and God Bless you Billy!!

I dont even remember what the event was, i just remember as a little kid, 4 or 5 years old, having no clue who billy lane was, my dad was bringing me with him to some thing, and my mom was asking him to get billy lane’s signature for her while we were there....then i remember some crazy looking guy with dreadlocks signing the back of my shirt. Lol

Excellent story....

We still love you Billy!

Billy Brother - U still da Man. Keep the spirit -

good on ya, Billy. Nice ride.

Cool Billy !!! Best Wishes.

a way to make him repay his debt to society as far as i am concerned he still in prison and being made to something for charity while serving his sentence this is the right way to do it

Great job Billy God Bless You Brother ✌️🤙

I agree. Everything happens for a reason. It is a tragic thing that happened to a life, but a positive way of looking at things is that maybe it happened so Billy could save countless others by giving them a trade so that one day maybe that person can be a productive member of society instead of a criminal. Maybe in some way that persons life was not in vein.

Billy I will be praying for you n look for Jesus cause he gives us unconditional love

maybe Billy will bring me parts to build bikes while i am in jail. what a punishment. murders a guy and still gets to do what he wants.

All this came about becuase of alcohol. So please dont drink and drive. It's easy to forget. We all like going out and having few beers. But take a taxi. Billy has done good he made a great bike awesome looking and has accepted responsibility.

everyone one makes mistakes... wat you do after those mistakes is called moving forward

Brother u a good guy sometimes we just make mistake in our life...

For all those who don't know Billy personally and all the haters talking trash in here. I can tell you this; for a guy with his talent, and at the peak of his career with all the fame and madness associated with career. I have yet to meet a more humble, kind and unpretentious guy. Shit happens, billy's downfall was that he wasn't a celebrity football player, and he had a new judge trying to make a name for himself. Ok necrofiliac666!

Bart - Believe me he will - he breathes , shits and farts motorcycles . Its in his blood , hes good at it and he is one hell of a good guy .