[RideApart] - Ten Lessons I've Learned From Running a Small Bike Shop

Ninjette Newsbot · December 20th, 2017, 06:12 AM

Ten Lessons I've Learned From Running a Small Bike Shop

Being an independent wrench for a living is tough, but it sure is rewarding.

My traditional job went away in 2008. I have two kids, a mortgage, and was fully middle aged, not exactly prime job recruiting material. So, what does one do when they find themselves unemployed in the middle of a global financial meltdown? One throws everything into a tiny independent motorcycle shop, that’s what one does.

I remember my first paid job as an independent wrench. I recommissioned a long parked 1984 BMW R100RS. I'd never worked on a BMW before, but I’d been tinkering for a long time and had survived seven years of peonage in a frantic multi-line bike dealership. It looked possible, so I dove right in. Thankfully, it was a great success.

READ MORE: Opinion - How's Your Bikesitting?

Lesson one: You are required to correctly repair bikes you have no experience with.

Lesson two: Airhead BMWs are logical, well made, and thoughtfully designed. Seek bikes like these, for they are good.

JM, my eternally patient wife, was impressed with the $600.00 profit I earned on the BMW job. She relaxed as we talked money and agreed that this – "this" being me trying to make a living as a freelance wrench – was possible.

Old British bikes are my specialty, and they've taught me quite a bit about motorcycles and motorcyclists. Once there was a troublesome 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub that posed some interesting problems. Problems like, how do I get the clutch off?

“Do I have a clutch puller for a 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub?”

No.

“Where do I find one?”

I removed the primary cover from the lifeless Cub to have a look at the clutch, and the entire assembly fell to pieces in my hands. No puller needed, I guess. I called the owner.

“This might be expensive. How did you ride it like this?”

The guy told me that he had won the bike in an auction and had never even tried to start it.

Lesson three: Auction bikes are risky. Shiny, restored auction bikes are even riskier.

READ MORE: BMW Brings New F750 and 850 GS Models

The owner came around for a look and handed me a large stack of money.

Lesson four: *Triumph Tiger Cubs make no economic sense.

The kids got new sneakers.

Lesson five: Every imaginable part for an old Triumph will arrive on your doorstep after clicking a mouse.

Two weeks later the owner returned with more cash. He smiled after a short test run, loaded up the bike, and drove away. One month later that little Tiger Cub sold on Ebay for the same amount of money I had just paid for my 2003 Triumph Bonneville, $5,000.

Lesson six: See lesson four.

Lesson seven: Keep in mind this quote from Bert Hopwood. After a long career in the motorcycle industry Hopwood wrote, “Motorcycles are bought, never sold. Bought by people who know exactly what they want and are unlikely to be weaned from their fixations by the actions of salesmen.”

Years raced by as bikes moved in and out of the tiny workshop. My reputation grew but finances not so much. Frustrated, I merged my business into a larger shop, a move that proved tragic. Huge overhead costs meant the big shop never turned a profit. The big shop is gone, yet I persist.

Lesson eight: Repairing motorcycles makes little economic sense.

Lesson nine: Self Employment works for me.

Lesson ten: I can’t imagine doing anything else.

READ MORE: 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black - First Ride

I’m reminded of another quote from writer Steve Wilson in which he described a mysterious person known only as “Mavis.” A long time ago, Mavis wrote to Bike Magazine detailing a trip he made, girlfriend on the back, riding a worn out Triumph twin. After hours of filth, vibration, and discomfort an existential crisis arrived. Mavis decided, “The bloody things rattle your brains out and leave you too stupid to ride anything better. We just can’t help ourselves.”

My ten year business anniversary is coming up, the kids have shoes. Mavis and Hopwood might be right after all.

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December 20th, 2017, 06:12 AM	#1
Ninjette Newsbot All the news that's fit to excerpt Name: newsie Location: who knows? Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): only digital replicas Posts: Too much.	[RideApart] - Ten Lessons I've Learned From Running a Small Bike Shop Ten Lessons I've Learned From Running a Small Bike Shop Being an independent wrench for a living is tough, but it sure is rewarding. My traditional job went away in 2008. I have two kids, a mortgage, and was fully middle aged, not exactly prime job recruiting material. So, what does one do when they find themselves unemployed in the middle of a global financial meltdown? One throws everything into a tiny independent motorcycle shop, that’s what one does. I remember my first paid job as an independent wrench. I recommissioned a long parked 1984 BMW R100RS. I'd never worked on a BMW before, but I’d been tinkering for a long time and had survived seven years of peonage in a frantic multi-line bike dealership. It looked possible, so I dove right in. Thankfully, it was a great success. READ MORE: Opinion - How's Your Bikesitting? Lesson one: You are required to correctly repair bikes you have no experience with. Lesson two: Airhead BMWs are logical, well made, and thoughtfully designed. Seek bikes like these, for they are good. JM, my eternally patient wife, was impressed with the $600.00 profit I earned on the BMW job. She relaxed as we talked money and agreed that this – "this" being me trying to make a living as a freelance wrench – was possible. Old British bikes are my specialty, and they've taught me quite a bit about motorcycles and motorcyclists. Once there was a troublesome 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub that posed some interesting problems. Problems like, how do I get the clutch off? “Do I have a clutch puller for a 1964 Triumph Tiger Cub?” No. “Where do I find one?” I removed the primary cover from the lifeless Cub to have a look at the clutch, and the entire assembly fell to pieces in my hands. No puller needed, I guess. I called the owner. “This might be expensive. How did you ride it like this?” The guy told me that he had won the bike in an auction and had never even tried to start it. Lesson three: Auction bikes are risky. Shiny, restored auction bikes are even riskier. READ MORE: BMW Brings New F750 and 850 GS Models The owner came around for a look and handed me a large stack of money. Lesson four: Triumph Tiger Cubs make no economic sense. The kids got new sneakers. Lesson five: Every imaginable part for an old Triumph will arrive on your doorstep after clicking a mouse. Two weeks later the owner returned with more cash. He smiled after a short test run, loaded up the bike, and drove away. One month later that little Tiger Cub sold on Ebay for the same amount of money I had just paid for my 2003 Triumph Bonneville, $5,000. Lesson six: See lesson four. Lesson seven: Keep in mind this quote from Bert Hopwood. After a long career in the motorcycle industry Hopwood wrote, “Motorcycles are bought, never sold. Bought by people who know exactly what they want and are unlikely to be weaned from their fixations by the actions of salesmen.” Years raced by as bikes moved in and out of the tiny workshop. My reputation grew but finances not so much. Frustrated, I merged my business into a larger shop, a move that proved tragic. Huge overhead costs meant the big shop never turned a profit. The big shop is gone, yet I persist. Lesson eight: Repairing motorcycles makes little economic sense. Lesson nine: Self Employment works for me. Lesson ten: I can’t imagine doing anything else. READ MORE: 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black - First Ride* I’m reminded of another quote from writer Steve Wilson in which he described a mysterious person known only as “Mavis.” A long time ago, Mavis wrote to Bike Magazine detailing a trip he made, girlfriend on the back, riding a worn out Triumph twin. After hours of filth, vibration, and discomfort an existential crisis arrived. Mavis decided, “The bloody things rattle your brains out and leave you too stupid to ride anything better. We just can’t help ourselves.” My ten year business anniversary is coming up, the kids have shoes. Mavis and Hopwood might be right after all. More from RideApart: 2018 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black - First Ride Suzuki Goes to Space! - Bike Giant to Fund Lunar Exploration Gift Ideas For Your Girlfriend That Rides MV Agusta Announces New Four-Cylinder for 2018 RawHyde Adventures' 2017 BMW ADV Fleet is up for Sale Related Stories How to Save Motorcycling in 5 Easy Steps The Case for the Mid-Sized Cruiser MV Agusta Announces New Four-Cylinder for 2018 Click here for full story... __________________________________________________ I'm a bot. I don't need no stinkin' signature...

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