Within a small non-descript garage in Virginia, two Iron Range blue-collar craftsmen are riding toward the big time.

Jamie Winger and Jeshua Brown, co-owners of Malicious Cycles, Inc., spend their spare time building custom motorcycles in Winger's garage along Second Avenue South.

Their hand-built custom motorcycle work could soon be featured in a television show pilot reality series.

"Three years ago, Jeshua stopped by to buy a motor from me and we found we had a similar interest," said Winger, whose full-time job is at United Taconite. "Since then, we've built several bikes for our friends and we've done a couple of full customizations."

Two Malicious Cycles motorcycles were used in the movie "Sdanka's War," filmed in 2014 in Virginia, at Soudan Underground Mine, and the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area near Gilbert.

The film is soon to be released.

Filming of "Sdanka's War" received support from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board's Film Production Incentive Grant Program. The program supports film productions which create jobs and result in economic impact in the IRRRB service area.

Like nearly a dozen other films recently made in northeastern Minnesota, "Sdanka's War," impacted the local economy through expenditures on equipment and supplies, restaurants, transportation, lodging, and staff.

The connection between "Sdanka's War" and Malicious Cycles could lead to even more economic activity.

Malicious Cycles plans to expand to a larger shop, begin manufacturing aftermarket motorcycle accessories, open a retail store, and perhaps open a showroom to sell a major motorcycle brand.

Brown, a millwright, builds each motorcycle frame by hand. Winger performs air brushing and other mechanical work. Prices on the bikes range from $7,000 to $20,000.

"Every one of them is unique," said Brown. "We build the frame and the bike to fit the person."

Together, the two have sold bikes as far away as Montana.

Chris LaFleur, executive producer of "Sdanka's War" formed a friendship with Winger and Brown during the filming, which developed into a business relationship.

"I ran into these guys and fell in love with them because they're just like me," said LaFleur, a self-employed anesthetist from Aitkin. "They have a full-time job and a dream to be able to sustain a business and create more jobs that are not mining-related."

LaFleur, was born and raised up in Duluth, later lived in Brimson, and worked and recreated on the Iron Range. He also served 15 years on the Giants Ridge ski patrol.

However, "Sdanka's War" is his first filmmaking endeavor. LaFleur financed production of the film and spent nearly two weeks on-site during filming.

In addition to an interest in making more films on the Iron Range, LaFleur is now assisting Malicious Cycles as vice president of business development.

LaFleur's Crzy Iron Productions is currently shooting a pilot reality series episodes in Malicious Cycles' garage.

LaFleur hopes the reality series pilot will be picked up by cable television. He's also made business connections in California where Malicious Cycles' motorcycles and aftermarket parts could be sold.

"Had the IRRRB (Film Production Incentive) program not been around, I would have never met these people and formed these business relationships," said LaFleur. "The biggest attraction on the Iron Range is that there is support for filmmaking and there is a need for that type of economic development. For me, the Iron Range has a huge mix of diverse settings from wilderness to metro area to middle size towns to small towns. You can find a background that will fit any story. And with the IRRRB incentive, it becomes the deciding factor for me."

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, Malicious Cycles is holding an "Iron on the Range" motorcycle expo at Sawmill Saloon in Mountain Iron/Virginia. Admission is free. All types of motorcycles are invited to enter an awards competition. Performance and dyno testing will be available on site along with motorcycle vendors and a veteran's raffle. Live music follows the awards. All proceeds go to support the local VFW and American Legion.

Pictured above: Jamie Winger and Jeshua Brown, co-owners of Malicious Cycles, Inc.