Donnie Smith: A Lifetime of Custom Motorcycles and Legacy

In the ever-changing world of custom motorcycles, only a few have managed to stay at the top, no matter the ups and downs of the industry. Among them is Donnie Smith, a man whose name is synonymous with custom motorcycle mastery. For over five decades, Donnie has been a fixture in the custom bike world, transforming metal into rolling art and making a name not only in the Midwest but around the world.

Though it might surprise some, motorcycles weren’t always Donnie’s passion. Growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Donnelly, Minnesota, Donnie’s early life was about hard work, but that didn’t crush his spirit. Raised by loving parents, Donnie’s childhood hero wasn’t a motorcycle legend, but his grandfather. "He was my first friend. Grandpa was a storyteller," Donnie fondly recalls, perhaps foreshadowing Donnie’s own gift for connecting with people.

After graduating from the West Central School of Agriculture in 1960, Donnie made his way to Minneapolis and later served a two-year tour with the U.S. Army. When he returned, motorcycles still weren’t on his radar. Instead, he started a performance car shop with his brother Happy and close friend Bob Fetrow. They focused on drag racing cars—until fate, and family, intervened.

It was Donnie’s Uncle Elwood who ignited his motorcycle journey. Elwood brought his Harley-Davidson Sportster to Donnie’s shop, asking the brothers to "rake the bike’s neck." Clueless about the task, Donnie joked, "We thought rake was something you did with hay!" Still, they gave it a shot, and soon, other bikers started noticing. What began as a favor for Uncle Elwood quickly turned into a full-time business.

As more motorcycle enthusiasts came to Smith Brothers and Fetrow for custom work, the shift was inevitable. The shop began producing Springer forks, girders, tanks, and fenders, and eventually, the guys made a pivotal decision. "If you got rid of that race car, you could make a living out of this motorcycle thing," their accountant wisely suggested. The rest, as they say, is history.

Donnie Smith Custom Cycles became a household name in custom motorcycling. Located in Coon Rapids, MN, the shop is known for creating innovative, yet rideable, masterpieces. Donnie’s iconic DS Struts and distinctive Girder front ends are just a couple of the trademarks that set his bikes apart. His ability to blend form and function has made his builds some of the most respected in the industry.

For decades, Donnie has also hosted the Donnie Smith Bike Show in Saint Paul, Minnesota, an event that draws custom builders and enthusiasts from all over the country. The show, which he runs with American Thunder Productions, is a testament to his enduring influence in the custom bike world.

Donnie’s contributions to motorcycling have been recognized far and wide. He was inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in 1995 and again in 2018 as part of the Hamsters motorcycle group, of which he is a founding member. His lifetime achievements have earned him awards from V-Twin and Hot Bike magazines, and in 2010, the mayor of Spearfish, South Dakota proclaimed March 28th as “Donnie Smith Day”, honoring his legacy with a key to the city.

In 2022, Donnie received the Moxie Award from the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, recognizing his persistence, longevity, and determination. He was particularly proud to share the honor with two longtime friends and fellow motorcycle legends, Rick Fairless and Sugar Bear.

Remarkably, 2022 marked Donnie’s 50th consecutive Sturgis Rally—a feat few can claim. At over 80 years old, Donnie shows no signs of slowing down, still creating, riding, and living the custom motorcycle dream.

As Donnie says, motorcycles weren’t his first choice, but they became his life’s work. His journey from a dairy farm in Minnesota to the heights of the custom bike world is a testament to passion, hard work, and a lifelong love of storytelling—whether it’s through words, or in Donnie’s case, motorcycles.

Donnie Smith’s Custom Motorcycle Legacy: Key Highlights

• Raised in Donnelly, Minnesota, Donnie didn’t start out in motorcycles; it was his Uncle Elwood who brought him into the world of custom bikes.

• Co-founded Smith Brothers and Fetrow, which evolved from drag racing cars to custom motorcycles.

• Known for innovative designs like the DS Struts and Girder front ends, which have become iconic in the custom bike world.

• Hosts the annual Donnie Smith Bike Show in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

• Inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame twice, including as a founding member of the Hamsters motorcycle group.

• Honored with numerous lifetime achievement awards, including the Moxie Award from the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2022.

• Celebrated his 50th consecutive Sturgis Rally in 2022—still riding, still building, still at the forefront of custom motorcycling.