William David Lane, better known as Billy Lane, is a well-known name in the world of custom motorcycles. As the founder of Choppers Inc., he gained widespread fame for building and riding his hubless wheel motorcycles. Many also recognise him from the show Biker Build-Off, which was aired on Discovery Channel.
However, his journey hasn’t been easy as he got caught in a drunk-driving incident in 2006 that led to the tragic death of another biker. Lane was convicted in 2009 and served 6 years in prison. Despite the setback, he didn’t give up on his passion and is still involved in custom motorcycle building.
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Early Life
While there are not enough details available about his early life, some online wiki pages reveal that Billy Lane was born on 6th February 1970 in Miami, Florida.
Growing up, he developed a passion for mechanics and design. To turn his hobby into a career, Lane enrolled at Florida State University to earn an associate degree. He also studied mechanical engineering and completed his graduation in 1997 from Florida International University. His academic background helped him polish his technical skills and become successful in the field.
Beginning of Career
Talking about Billy Lane’s career, he had a humble beginning. During his early career days, he worked on motorcycles in his garage.
After gaining confidence, he started his own company, Choppers Inc., in Florida’s Melbourne area. The shop quickly became known for building unique motorcycles and unlike factory-produced bikes, his choppers were handcrafted. This helped him catch the attention of motorcycle lovers from across the country and in a short time, Lane had built a loyal following.
Shot to Fame
Billy Lane rose to fame after he joined the cast of Biker Build-Off on Discovery Channel. The show was all about custom bike builders competing against one another and trying to outdo creativity and craftsmanship. Fans loved watching Lane do his thing on the show. But it was his no-nonsense approach that made him a favourite.
Besides making motorcycles, Lane wrote two books, including Billy Lane’s How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers and Customs and Billy Lane’s Chop Fiction: It’s Not a Motorcycle, Baby, It’s a Chopper.
However, Lane’s career took a major hit in 2006, due to a tragic drunk-driving accident he was involved in. The incident caused the death of a biker. After serving six years in jail, Lane was released.
Relationship
Billy Lane has kept most of his personal life private, especially after his legal troubles. However, it is known that he is a married man and also a father.
After his release, Lane focused more on being a family man than a motorcycle. He occasionally shares moments from his personal life through social media and interviews, showing a softer side of himself.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
Based on current reports, Billy Lane’s net worth in 2025 is between $3-5 million. His primary source of income has always been custom motorcycle building. A major chunk of his wealth comes from his company Choppers Inc. In addition, he has earned money through his books which were loved by motorcycle enthusiasts.
