DEKALB, Ill. — Built in honor of the 100th anniversary of DeKalb seed brands by Paul Teutul Jr., the “DeKalb chopper” drew a lot of attention at the 30th annual IDEAg Northern Illinois Farm Show at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center.

Unveiled at last year’s Farm Progress Show, the customized motorcycle will tour the Midwest before it’s auctioned online, with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross. It will be awarded to the winning bidder at next year’s Farm Progress Show, according to Al Ratfield, a board member of the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Assoc., Inc. (DAAHA).

“It’s been a big hit,” Ratfield said.

The bike was built by the younger Teutul and featured on two episodes of Discovery Channel’s “American Chopper – Senior v. Junior,” starring him and his father.

DeKalb’s “winged ear” logo is incorporated into to the spokes, and the seat is a throwback to an antique-style tractor seat. The phrase “100 years strong” is shown in several places on the bike, including the back fender.

Instead of chrome, more commonly used today, Teutul used nickel plating because it was employed more often in 1912. He also built the bike to run on ethanol.

Emerson Wells, another DAAHA board member, said the bike has generated great interest, with several reporters from national publications stopping to ask questions and interview those manning the booth.

Ratfield pointed out the bike honors not only DeKalb brands, but also the 100th anniversary of the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Assoc., the forerunner of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

For more information about the bike, where to see it in person and details of the upcoming auction, visit www.dekalb.com/100