GAINSVILLE, FL - Jonesville man builds motorcycle on 'Wrench Against the Machine'

By Meryl Kornfield Correspondent, Courtesy of The Gainsville Sun

Justin Webster stayed up for 72 hours to build a custom motorcycle.

“Your dexterity goes out the window,” the Jonesville motorcycle builder said. “The physical side effects got to me.”

Webster’s motorcycle-building skills were featured on Esquire’s “Wrench Against the Machine” reality TV show. During the show, Webster and his team of two other mechanics competed against another team to build the best custom motorcycle in 72 hours with parts and equipment from the studio’s shop.

Both teams started with unassembled motorcycle parts, but were given a $3,000 budget for extra supplies.

“Even with how stressful it was and how much was asked of us, the entire experience was just not something I would trade for anything,” Webster said.

He worked in front of celebrity judges with experience with motorcycles.

“They are people we all look up to in the industry,” he said.

Webster runs a shop called J. Webster Designs out of his home in Jonesville. His wife, Toni Webster, said they work on custom motorcycles and sell parts. She said Webster first met representatives from NBC Universal at an invite-only motorcycle show in Austin, Texas.

“Never in a million years did I think this would happen,” she said. “I’m sure he did very well. He puts his heart and passion into the work he does.”

The episode Webster competed in will air Dec. 6. He said he's hosting a watch party at Gators Dockside and he's excited and nervous to know others will watch him compete.

“It’s nerve-wracking to know you were on national TV and you put yourself out there,” he said. “(The camera) caught all the downfalls and upswings.”

By Meryl Kornfield Correspondent, Courtesy of The Gainsville Sun