William Shatner made a stop on the Navajo Nation on June 28, 2015. Photo by Patrick Murphy

Star Trek star visits Eastern Navajo
By Patrick Murphy

CHURCHROCK, NEW MEXICO -- The Churchrock Chapter (Kinlitsosinili) on the Navajo Nation is now a part of American motorcycle history.

The community hosted a photo shoot on Sunday for the Rivet, a futuristic motorcycle from American Wrench. The star of the set was actor William Shatner, better known as Captain James T. Kirk from the Star Trek television and film series.

"I am taking another step into the unknown!" said Shatner. "A phenomenal bike made by American Wrench and a 2,400 mile journey, where the road holds the big mystery."

Shatner, 84, has been a motorcycle enthusiast since the age of seven and his shoot on the Navajo Nation was his second visit this year to the Land of Enchantment. During an appearance at the Albuquerque ComicCon in January, he shared his plans of riding the Rivet this summer.

The Rivet was created by Kevin Sirotek, the owner of the Illinois-based American Wrench. Shatner himself contributed to the design throughout the process.

William Shatner received a blanket from the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders during a stop in Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

"We've partnered with William Shatner to create a machine that combines the experience of riding a motorcycle, driving a high performance car, and gives a feeling of flying on the open road," said Sirotek.

Shatner and American Wrench are riding across the country not only to showcase the new bike but to urge support for the American Legion scholarship that has been helping children of military servicewomen and men since September 2001.

The journey kicked off on June 23 from the American Wrench shop just outside of Chicago. Participants -- including riders from the American Legion -- following the legendary Route 66 for most of the trek.

Riders made stops in St. Louis, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff and Las Vegas. In Flagstaff, the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders got to visit with the caravan.

William Shatner meets with the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders during a stop in Flagstaff, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

"We were invited to share some of our story and culture with William Shatner," the group said on Facebook. "Offered a prayer of safe journey for their group, a couple gifts and a story of who we are as Diné (Navajo). Hopefully this is all has a positive impact and gives insight to how we honor and remember our Warriors."

American Wrench describes the Rivet as “a creation unlike anything you have ever seen has been shifted into gear. Old school metal fused with high-tech culminates in a machine that makes the Batmobile tremble as it climbs atop the throne of moto-culture.”

The machine features a B-17 bomber-inspired aluminum body. The trike forgoes a traditional handlebar for a radical-looking twin-lever steering system.

The Rivet is seen during its appearance on the Navajo Nation. Photo by Patrick Murphy

Self-diagnosed with an oil addiction and coming from a long line of motor-enthusiasts, Sirotek is a 4th generation stakeholder in Illinois Auto Electric Co., the parent company of American Wrench. He has design/3D background and experience in the fuel category.

The ride concludes today in Los Angeles for the final event. Look out for a television production about the entire trip as the video shoot at Churchrock included drone flyovers of the Rivet sitting on NM 566 directly over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.

Patrick Murphy, a member of the Navajo Nation, has more than 20 years experience in the news industry. He was a former news director/news reporter at KTNN AM in Window Rock, Arizona, and was a news photographer/reporter with KOBF-TV in Farmington, New Mexico.