​What’s Pearl Hot-Rod Yellow with Nebulous Black around the edges? A custom-painted VTX 1300 motorcycle that a lucky guest will win this weekend at Honda HomeComingSM. While every motorcycle built at the Marysville Motorcycle Plant receives hands-on craftsmanship, this bike is unique from start to finish. Tim Cattell, an associate in the Paint Department, conceived the design that took first place in the motorcycle plant’s design competition. Fellow associates brought the design to life through their custom painting and decaling talents. “We wanted to make the connection between our associates and the customers even more personal this year,” said Jan Gansheimer, senior manager of manufacturing at the motorcycle plant. “This bike that was designed and custom-painted by our associates is a great way to demonstrate the creativity and skills that we have here. In fact, our associates build every bike here for one special customer.” A distinct “tribal” design appears throughout the one-of-a-kind VTX 1300, and even the frame was hand-painted to carry out the custom theme. “This bike could not have been made without the help of every associate on line in the motorcycle plant,” said Cattell. “As a team, they made my dream of designing a motorcycle come true.” HomeComing guests can register for the bike from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27, and from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28. The drawing is at 5 p.m. Saturday and the winner must be present to win. Motorcycling enthusiasts from throughout the country ride thousands of miles to attend HomeComing, to renew friendships and to see Honda associates building motorcycles on the assembly line. More than 5,000 visitors toured the motorcycle plant during HomeComing last year, and associates often talk with riders about their Honda motorcycles. The closing banquet, at 4 p.m. Saturday, is back by popular request. Other activities at HomeComing include demo rides on Honda motorcycles and scooters, a demonstration where associates tear down and re-assemble a Gold Wing, rider safety, manufacturing displays by associates at the Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant and Anna Engine Plant, as well as ice cream socials and entertainment. HomeComing admission is free and the public is invited along with motorcycle riders to participate in the events at the motorcycle plant, located northwest of Marysville, Ohio, off U.S. Rt. 33 on Honda Parkway. Events take place all day Thursday through Saturday, starting at 7:30 a.m. Motorcycle riders enter Gate A to park at the event. Guests in cars enter Gate B for parking and take a shuttle to the events. The only motorcycle plant in Ohio, the Marysville Motorcycle Plant has the annual capacity to produce 75,000 of Honda’s largest and most complex motorcycles, the Gold Wing GL1800 touring motorcycle and the VTX 1800 and 1300 cruiser models. Associates also assemble the motorcycle engines in the plant.