Northern Tool + Equipment wrapped up the third edition of its hands‑on training program this summer, guiding 15 high school learners through the conversion of a brand‑new 2025 Harley‑Davidson Nightster into a flat‑track racing machine. The initiative, known as the Build Series, pairs equipment donations with real‑world projects to spark interest in skilled‑trade careers.
Learners Convert Harley‑Davidson Nightster into Flat‑Track Bike
The team tackled extensive modifications, swapping out tires, adjusting brakes, re‑routing controls and tuning suspension to meet flat‑track specifications.
The effort required modification to the tires, brakes, controls and suspension, giving participants a taste of the challenges professional mechanics face daily. An Harley‑Davidson Nightster served as the base chassis for the transformation.
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Racing Icons Guide the Hands‑On Project
Seven‑time A.M.A. Grand National champion Chris Carr stepped in as a mentor, sharing more than five decades of racing insight. He helped the group decide on ergonomic placement of hand and foot controls, noting the bike’s large engine demanded careful adaptation for riders of varying stature.
Stock‑car veteran Kyle Petty also joined the effort, recalling his father’s similar builds and emphasizing that the skills the students were learning would always be in demand.
Skills stay in demand.
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The retailer coordinated tool donations from several vendors to support the school’s workshop. By structuring the event, matching partners and overseeing project milestones, the company ensured the build stayed on schedule from start to finish.
“We created the Build Series platform with a very intentional goal of getting more young people excited about future careers in the skilled trades,” Frank Crowson, chief commercial officer, said. “Our customers are tradespeople, so it’s important for us to help build and grow the future community of professional tradespeople.”
The conversion was unveiled at the American Flat Track Sons of Speed National Short Track race on June 6 in Hohenwald, Tennessee, where Brian Bauman claimed the main event victory. The showcase highlighted both the technical achievement and the confidence gained by the young builders.
