“It’s amazing. I’ve never been to the SEMA Show before, but it’s always been something I’ve wanted to experience,” said Iacona, owner of Steven Iacona Custom Cycles in Brooklyn, N.Y. “To be next to these great builders on stage, it’s just incredible. It’s a great thing for the motorcycle industry, and it’s great to bring new life into the industry.”
The inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout presented by Mothers has crowned Iacona as its first-ever champion, recognizing his exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation in custom motorcycle building. He earned the honor with a custom Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, which rose to the top of a competitive field of builders from across the country.
The competition was evaluated by a panel of motorcycle industry experts, including Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, Jeff Holt of V-Twin Visionary and Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs. Judges reviewed entries based on craftsmanship, design innovation and overall execution before selecting finalists and naming Iacona the overall champion.
“I began with a 1945 Knucklehead engine that we had, and I just needed to find the right customer that would let me do what I wanted with it,” explains Iacona. “I built a bike similar to what I had heard the stock Knucklehead was and just enhanced it. I didn’t want to disrespect the Knucklehead, and this is what I came up with.”
The addition of the motorcycle category reflects SEMA’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities across the specialty-equipment industry and strengthening the powersports presence at the SEMA Show. The new competition recognizes the builders who continue to push innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity forward within motorcycle customization.
“The Bike Builder Shootout reflects SEMA’s support for every segment of the customization industry and creating new opportunities for builders to showcase their work,” said RJ de Vera, VP of Marketing for SEMA. “The creativity and craftsmanship displayed throughout this competition exceeded our expectations. We’re excited to build on this momentum and further expand the powersports presence at the SEMA Show in the years ahead.”
The Bike Builder Shootout was introduced in 2026 as an expansion of the renowned SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, creating a dedicated platform for motorcycle builders to showcase their work on the industry’s biggest stage. The new category celebrates the artistry, engineering, and passion driving motorcycle customization while bringing motorcycle builders into one of the aftermarket industry’s most prestigious builder competitions.
Bike Builder Shootout Finalists
• Winner: Steven Iacona — Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
• 2nd Place: Robert Zeolla — Indian In-Line 4
• 3rd Place: James Crosby — Harley-Davidson Pan Head
For more information about SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.semabotb.com.
