Let’s talk about one of the biggest and most unforgettable teams in the TransAm; you know ‘em, you love ‘em, Team Butts!
Team Butts rolled deep this year, with a mix of machines, but the heart of their lineup was pure Harley-Davidson. Don’t let that fool you though, the champion, Mike Butts, rode a 1913 Henderson, proving this team can handle anything on two wheels.
Just like any good team, the secret to their success wasn’t just in the riders, but in the crew behind them. Team Butts was made up of: Mike Butts, Larry Butts, Brianna Meisinger, Jerry Wieland, Scott Bernardson, Joe Preston, Tony Hardstet, Linda Butts, Cindy Butts, Beth Bernardson, Deb Tallman, and Jen Moehrle.
It takes a special kind of group to get that many people and motorcycles across the country. I could always count on someone from Team Butts when help was needed. Joe was constantly wrenching on someone’s bike, making sure every machine was ready for the next morning’s miles, while Tony kept everything organized and running efficiently. Cindy, Linda, Beth, Deb, and Jen handled all the unsexy behind-the-scenes work that most people never see; making sure the riders had what they needed so they could focus on the road. Cindy and Jen even went out of their way to find and pick up oil for me when I needed it!
Other than Mike, Larry, and Brianna, who share family ties, the rest of Team Butts came together through one thing: a shared love for antique motorcycles. It all started in 2017 when Mike met Jerry, and from there, the rest is history. What began as a connection over old bikes grew into a tight-knit group of riders and friends who found common ground in their passion for vintage machines and long miles together.
Mike, Brianna, Jerry, and Scott made all their miles, and Larry came so close, but what really mattered was that he never gave up. He did what it took to finish strong.
“Having spent time helping Mike & Larry on a Cannonball, I had no hesitation to accept Mike’s invitation to drive their truck and assist in bike maintenance in the evenings. After a few dinners as a team it was easy to see everyone was friendly and going to get along well. While Team Butts worked well as their own group they were also aware of the common goal to get as many bike as possible west bound even if they were a direct competitor. The team was always willing to lend parts, offer advice or physical services such as welding repairs or soldering gas tanks, granted everyone involved with the TransAm was working as hard as possible for everyone to see the Pacific ocean.”
-Joe Preston
Mike Butts
Mike came into the TransAm not aiming to win, but simply to make every mile, and that’s exactly what he did. You could spot his team’s steady pace every day, and when trouble showed up, they worked together to get him rolling again. Mike always had this calm, steady way about him. He never seemed rattled, just focused on getting to the next checkpoint. His quiet determination and gracious attitude set the tone for the whole team. We can’t forget who helped bring this champion bike to life, Mark and Loring Hill of 4th Coast Fours, the brilliant team who built the machine that carried Mike to victory.
“This was the ride of unexpected changes. One year ago, a fellow Minnesotan and now great friend, Scott Bernardson asked if I would talk to him about my experiences riding these old motorcycles across the county. After that, he “caught” the bug and signed up. Initially the team was going to include my brother Larry, Scott and myself for the TransAm. We were all working on “new to us” Harley Davidson bikes. In July, we convinced our good friend, Jerry Wieland, to join us on the inaugural run and my step-daughter Brianna Meisinger was asked to come along as an exhibition rider on her 1929 Indian Scout. I initially had planned to ride my 1920 Harley and had been working on getting it ready for months. However Previously, I had started a 1913 Henderson build in 2019 but it was stalled out and had not had any progress for quite some time. I had reached out to Mark and Loring Hill last fall about energizing this project and suddenly the Henderson motor was finished up in April and was ready to go. Mid August rolled around, and the chassis being built by Matthew Smith was done and in its way to Mark and Loring Hill so they could begin getting the bike put together. I really wanted to ride the Henderson so we started planning for all the possibilities. It was crunch time, the week we were loading for the trip I got the call that the Henderson was ready. We spent three days driving to New York and back to pick up the bike and get a quick lesson on how to ride it from Loring. I then offered up my 1920 Harley to Brianna and she was excited about transitioning to the Harley and changing to competitor status. That left me three days to finish installing my luggage top box and saddlebags speedometer, route chart holder, lights and wiring. I was able to put a total of 10 miles on the Henderson before we left for the Trans Am. I had never even sat on a Henderson previously and certainly had never ridden a single speed before. I’ve spent plenty of time on two wheels for most of my life, but this was definitely a new experience. I can’t say enough about the TransAm staff and what a great job Kelsey, Sean, and Tom did putting this ride together. The miles were challenging and fun, the stops were fascinating with amazing camaraderie from everyone.” -Mike Butts
Larry Butts
Mike and Larry are brothers, and it’s always special seeing families take on this adventure together. Larry came into the race unsure of how far he could go, but he impressed everyone. On the second day, his frame cracked, thankfully, it happened near the end of the ride so he finished that day. We were stopped at Westside Twins, a motorcycle shop, and they called in a welder with all the right tools. After hours of work, the bike was ready for the next day!
Later in the race, Larry’s rear cylinder went out, but he tracked down a replacement and was back on the road the next morning. Then, unbelievably, his front cylinder failed too, the day before to finish line! That didn’t stop him. Larry and Joe worked late into the night to replace it so he could cross the finish line with his team…. Now that’s heart.
Brianna Meisinger
Brianna took on the same “slow and steady” mindset as her teammates, and it paid off. She rode a 1920 Harley-Davidson, which was a big change from her usual 1929 Indian, but you’d never know it by watching her ride. She adapted to the Harley’s toe to go like she’d been riding it forever. After each day’s run, you’d find her doing maintenance, getting her bike ready for the next leg. Brianna was also the only woman to make all her miles, go Brianna! Brianna also writes a blog about all of her adventures on antique motorcycles, find it here.
“Throughout the entire trip, I couldn’t stop thinking about how special it was to ride century-old motorcycles across the country with my dad, uncle, and their friends. It’s nearly impossible to put into words what happens out on the road — the silly comments, the unexpected adventures, and the incredible places we passed through. Somewhere along the way, you form a bond with everyone involved.
You don’t just spend time with your own team — you connect with every rider, staff member, and support crew who stops to check in or lend a hand when a bike acts up. Then there are the curious onlookers at gas stations or rest stops, amazed that anyone would ride these old machines coast to coast. Some people approach you just to say they’ve been following the journey from the very beginning.
It’s such a rare and remarkable experience that you can’t help but feel deeply grateful to be part of it.” -Brianna
Jerry Wieland
Jerry is no stranger to endurance runs, he’s finished SO MANY. He waited until the rest of Team Butts cornered him to finally sign up, but of course, we were all thrilled he came along. Jerry rode his 1925 Harley-Davidson JDCB with his usual calm confidence. He made it look easy (and we all know it’s not). He’d roll in each night with a smile and get right to work preparing for the next day. Riders like Jerry make the whole event better; steady, humble, and always helping others.
Scott Bernardson
Scott rode a 1922 Harley-Davidson J, and this was his first endurance run. His frame came from Sean at Competition Distributing, and his motor was built by Bill Page, aka The Barn Guy or The Harley Whisperer. Scott’s attitude was as solid as his bike, always positive, even when things didn’t go as planned. He made every mile through pure grit and determination. What a first race to start with, congratulations, Scott!
Having such a strong, experienced, and close-knit team out on the course was a huge asset. Team Butts brought more than just bikes, they brought heart, humor, and the spirit that makes antique motorcycle endurance racing so special.
Anyone who wanted to jump in and ride with them was welcomed like family. They knew when to take it easy on their machines and when to push to make time. From the outside looking in, it seemed like they truly enjoyed every mile, whether it was 36 degrees and raining or 90 and blazing sun. Their crew was always waiting at the finish line, ready to help, encourage, and keep things rolling.
Team Butts helped other riders, staff, and the entire event more times than I can count. They saved my butt more than once, and I’m endlessly grateful they came along for this inaugural run. We can’t wait to see what they do next time!
Photos by: Olivier Touron, Kazuo Matsumoto, Ed Harriger
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Sponsored by: Legends Motorcycles, Sinless Cycles, Competition Distributing, Veritas Vintage, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
