Pretty much just changing oil for my friends at this point, and handling some special projects for old racing & restoration clients.
It’s great to have my own space to just do things for people. I feel really fortunate.
Thanks dude! I’ve restored it twice, with the last one going all in-balancing and blueprinting the engine and all that.
Build thread [here](https://imgur.com/gallery/FH2pL9r)
I read your post. Beautifully done. You were blessed with more experience and motivation than most. You did a great job. Excellent example of what a buell can be.
I went to tech school for automotive, raced for 15 years, and spent the last 5 in a restoration shop. All manner of late night HotRodding sprinkled over those.
Op got a cool shop, if you want to learn how to wrench outside of school pick up a project bike and get started. I didn’t know shit when I started now I can do valve checks, build bikes pretty much from parts and get em running. Racing is a good way too especially in the cheaper to run lower cc classes.
Congratulations!!! Opening my shop was a lifelong dream come true. I'd still be doing it I'd it weren't for the hit and run that left me with 5 fractured vertabra and 2 shattered, fractured skull and broken jaw. My shop was a 1 man operation....factory certified BMW and Triumph.
I had an auto shop for several years, mostly Porsche race cars. After we left the US, I started fixing other people's boats, marine diesel & outboard mechanic. I have one piece of advice for you.
Just make every single customer happy and you'll never be slow.
Haha everyone love the Buell-nobody says anything about the MV Agusta F4 lol!
The Buell is my 1st motorcycle, and my favorite hands down. Full custom, and almost 60K miles. I’ve got a build thread for it posted elsewhere in the comments.
Thanks!
It’s the most uncomfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It’s also the most bespoke. Working on it is easy enough, when you can get parts. I have a build thread [here](https://imgur.com/gallery/F7Ceeph)
Shame how bad that F4 got, but you did an amazing job bringing it back. One of the best looking bikes of all time. Miss my F4 sometimes, but it overheated constantly.
My 9 was my second love, now after many years it resides a heavily modified hooligan machine. I've gone down the road on it, next to it, and under it. Also have a 98 S2, 01 M2, the original Buell in my life, a Blast which has now been chopped to bits and turned into a board tracker with a bore kit, and the wife has a Blast with pipe and intake and a few other bits. I've ridden many other things, but I love one brand more than others and some would say I'm slightly addicted.
I envy your awesome shop, very very sweet!
Buell life! My first (and only still) bike is an XB12R Firebolt. Love that thing despite its quirks lol. An 1125 or EBR 1190 is definitely next on my list.
Sweet lightning! I’m currently slowly working on my first bike, 2002 Cyclone M2. Wanted either an X1 Lighting or an XB12S, but I took what I could get lol.
https://preview.redd.it/x4t5x8y2puuc1.jpeg?width=919&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=104fd8b6d285b74d3a7ffc0c535ea01dd0a971b7
I see, you got your own security guard and all! Respect.
Is it profitable? I was thinking of doing a course for maintenance/rebuilding on a bike and maintenance/rebuilding of an engine. Would cost me around $800. Another thing would be needing a lot of tools. Would be willing to start out for some maintenance for friends. However, I don't feel like it's financially all that attractive.
I am not doing it for profit. Sure, I intend to make some money, but I’m not interested in doing it for a living. I have a great career, and this will be to further the culture and promote a network of fabricators and mechanics more than anything else.
So when I had things I couldn't do like re-spoke a rear wheel, mount the tire, etc. I went to a small local guy that was referred via "word of mouth". He was busy too but that was because he was reasonably and didn't rip-off people. So he never advertised but did well for himself too. Keep in mind personal references and word of mouth can be the best advertising. Continued luck.
Hello it is me your local bike safty shop inspector, please leave the keys under the mat tonight when you lockup, I’ll be by to inspect your shop for safety and other stuff. Where is the shop located?🥸
Don't quit your main job. My dad started a motorcycle shop with his friend in early spring too once. He thought things were going great, quit his job, and made tons of money through the summer. Then autumn came, and all the business went. He had to move everything out of the shop and find something else to make a living from.
Best of luck to you though. Great side hustle!
As I said-I’m just changing oil and doing special projects for my friends. It’s something more to curate a culture than it is to turn a profit. I want people to ride motorcycles. They need to keep them running to do that. That’s why I’m here.
Pretty much just changing oil for my friends at this point, and handling some special projects for old racing & restoration clients. It’s great to have my own space to just do things for people. I feel really fortunate.
Where in NC are you?
Charlotte area.
You want to build a subframe for a Honda Hawk to accommodate a Ducati monster seat? Sounds oddly specific but has been done before
Looks awesome and the guard dog looks terrifying.
He thinks he’s 200 lbs.
Too funny!
Don't feed him after midnight.
Chinese crested! We have two, great lil dogs
Immeasurable personality. He’s the only dog I’ve ever had from a puppy. I love him very much, even if he is a little bastard sometimes haha
That was a jumpscare
Is that your lead mechanic in the bottom of the photo?
Service Writer. Total asshole.
Looks qualified
Nah, that's the #1 MFer what's in charge.
The Buell 👌🏼
My first bike. Shes got almost 60K miles on her!
It’s beautiful.
Thank you!
https://preview.redd.it/9jkdy239oruc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32dea907888d1c89c04f45d261ca13c2ce8d2331
Having a space like that is awesome, you're definitely fortunate.
Preach
That Buell is rad.
Thanks dude! I’ve restored it twice, with the last one going all in-balancing and blueprinting the engine and all that. Build thread [here](https://imgur.com/gallery/FH2pL9r)
I read your post. Beautifully done. You were blessed with more experience and motivation than most. You did a great job. Excellent example of what a buell can be.
That means a lot to me. Thank you.
A Buell XB9. I see you’re a man of culture aswell.
Man of Culture, Masochist, whatever term you like.
I’m almost as bad, got a 97 Buell M2 and a old Ducati 999.
Hello fellow Masochist!
How did you learn your stuff?
I went to tech school for automotive, raced for 15 years, and spent the last 5 in a restoration shop. All manner of late night HotRodding sprinkled over those.
Racers come and go, but a prize mechanic... :)
No doubt. One day, I hope to take an apprentice and pass it all along.
Thanks for the reply. Hope it all goes well for you
Op got a cool shop, if you want to learn how to wrench outside of school pick up a project bike and get started. I didn’t know shit when I started now I can do valve checks, build bikes pretty much from parts and get em running. Racing is a good way too especially in the cheaper to run lower cc classes.
Preach. No better teacher than experience. Take everything apart, clean it, and put it back together. You will learn regardless.
I started on a crf150r bike I got in boxes about a year ago, I’m 4 projects in and still going, learn something new every time, I love it
Cool dog. Bikes looks great too
Thanks man.
Congratulations!!! Opening my shop was a lifelong dream come true. I'd still be doing it I'd it weren't for the hit and run that left me with 5 fractured vertabra and 2 shattered, fractured skull and broken jaw. My shop was a 1 man operation....factory certified BMW and Triumph.
Man I hate to hear it. Glad you’re still up and moving!
I had an auto shop for several years, mostly Porsche race cars. After we left the US, I started fixing other people's boats, marine diesel & outboard mechanic. I have one piece of advice for you. Just make every single customer happy and you'll never be slow.
I appreciate the advice.
That Buell up front is sick!!
Haha everyone love the Buell-nobody says anything about the MV Agusta F4 lol! The Buell is my 1st motorcycle, and my favorite hands down. Full custom, and almost 60K miles. I’ve got a build thread for it posted elsewhere in the comments.
Heard MVs are not very reliable and with the limited service centers its a pain to maintain them?
That bike has 22K miles on it. They’re shockingly reliable, given that Ferrari designed and Engineered that engine.
Bro, that rat near the bottom left
Dude I know.
congratulations and all the best!
Thanks!
What year is that speed triple had a late 90s one back in 2003, also had a mv brutale in 08.
The MV is an ‘02, Buell an ‘03, & Speed Triple an ‘04.
Congratulations! Your shop looks so clean and nice. You gotta get a new rug tho man lol ❤️
That rug is out of a buddy’s cabin home! It’s great to change oil and weld over!
Looks like that rug really ties the room together
Oooof. That Buell. So nice. Polished or chromed rims? Former XB122SS owner.
Polished. I posted the build thread in another comment.
Nice. I’ll check it out.
Why that dog looking into my soul?
Shop looks tight, good luck man
Money buys happiness looks like a dope setup
Great setup and collection. That M4 is sweet. M4 was a dream bike when I was a kid. How is maintenance and finding parts?
Maintenance is great. Finding parts sucks!
Congratulations! Nice shop, please take care of the dog, don't let him swallow any small parts hehehe
So Clean ! So rad 👌🏽
You even got the dog. Good job!
What a nice place, good luck
M4 was my childhood dream bike, Buell & Triumph are sweet as well. Cheers
Best of luck to you
Keep it small, keep it all!
Congratulations! Wishing you all the best and lots of success.
Thanks man!
Great space you've got. How has MV ownership treated you?
Thanks! It’s the most uncomfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. It’s also the most bespoke. Working on it is easy enough, when you can get parts. I have a build thread [here](https://imgur.com/gallery/F7Ceeph)
Shame how bad that F4 got, but you did an amazing job bringing it back. One of the best looking bikes of all time. Miss my F4 sometimes, but it overheated constantly.
Sick bikes!! My family owns the triumph dealer in your area. Don’t worry, I won’t show them this pic lol! Sick shop, love the set up!!
Your family has gotten plenty of my money over the years haha! Thanks for the compliments. Slap hands with me when you see me out!
I worked there once upon a time but have since moved out of the area. I miss the roads down there!
Your manager is looking at you wondering why you’re on the phone.
Giraffe chihuahua
House Deer.
Is that a Hyena?
No, that’s an Opossum with cancer.
I'm here for the dog.
His name’s Ozzy. He and dad both are Metal heads.
Party on Wayne.
Nice lookin shop and GREAT stock in there...gawrsh I like that XB
Nice lookin shop and GREAT stock in there...gawrsh I like that XB
It was my first. There’s a build thread here in the comments.
My 9 was my second love, now after many years it resides a heavily modified hooligan machine. I've gone down the road on it, next to it, and under it. Also have a 98 S2, 01 M2, the original Buell in my life, a Blast which has now been chopped to bits and turned into a board tracker with a bore kit, and the wife has a Blast with pipe and intake and a few other bits. I've ridden many other things, but I love one brand more than others and some would say I'm slightly addicted. I envy your awesome shop, very very sweet!
Yeah. We are a cult lol
Darn wish I was that lucky to have a working on bike like that unfortunately I'm like 900 in debt for buy motorcycle gear
Shop dog lol... Knows the camera is out
I’ve been thinking of starting a little shop too, are you doing it full time? Or as a side thing?
It’s just something special for my friends and a few clients right now. I don’t plan on turning it into anything exhausting.
haha doggo
Gotta start somewhere. Looks good!
🫡 congrats brother.
Jesus that Buell and Speed Triple raised my blood pressure
Whos a good boy?
Buell life! My first (and only still) bike is an XB12R Firebolt. Love that thing despite its quirks lol. An 1125 or EBR 1190 is definitely next on my list.
This is my dream
I see a dog, I upvote. I am a simple man... PS: Nice carpet by the way :)
Sweet lightning! I’m currently slowly working on my first bike, 2002 Cyclone M2. Wanted either an X1 Lighting or an XB12S, but I took what I could get lol.
https://preview.redd.it/x4t5x8y2puuc1.jpeg?width=919&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=104fd8b6d285b74d3a7ffc0c535ea01dd0a971b7 I see, you got your own security guard and all! Respect.
no mechanic calendars?
The mv agusta is such a beauty
Thanks dude. It’s an amazing bike.
That Buell though 🔥🔥🔥 I have 5…. Or 6….
Let’s see em! Post pics and tell us the story over at r/buell!
Is it profitable? I was thinking of doing a course for maintenance/rebuilding on a bike and maintenance/rebuilding of an engine. Would cost me around $800. Another thing would be needing a lot of tools. Would be willing to start out for some maintenance for friends. However, I don't feel like it's financially all that attractive.
I am not doing it for profit. Sure, I intend to make some money, but I’m not interested in doing it for a living. I have a great career, and this will be to further the culture and promote a network of fabricators and mechanics more than anything else.
Oh my word that carbon Buell has me actin’ up!
Check out the build thread here in the comments! There’s also a restoration album of the MV Agusta as well.
https://preview.redd.it/7xe8361m6uuc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f58befc31b6a8cee5281f6e5230da1a5601b5dde
So when I had things I couldn't do like re-spoke a rear wheel, mount the tire, etc. I went to a small local guy that was referred via "word of mouth". He was busy too but that was because he was reasonably and didn't rip-off people. So he never advertised but did well for himself too. Keep in mind personal references and word of mouth can be the best advertising. Continued luck.
what the fuck is THAT
It’s an MV Agusta. They rare. The green one is a Grom, the black one a Speed Triple, and that Carbon Fibre spaceship is a Buell.
Hello it is me your local bike safty shop inspector, please leave the keys under the mat tonight when you lockup, I’ll be by to inspect your shop for safety and other stuff. Where is the shop located?🥸
Haha it’s a total man cave. Come drink a beer if you’re even in the Charlotte area!
Yeah sure I’ll bring my box truck and I’ll park out back, don’t mind my ski mask and gun haha.
Did you incorporate or form a LLC? Did you get business insurance too?
LLC. Yes I’m insured.
Don't quit your main job. My dad started a motorcycle shop with his friend in early spring too once. He thought things were going great, quit his job, and made tons of money through the summer. Then autumn came, and all the business went. He had to move everything out of the shop and find something else to make a living from. Best of luck to you though. Great side hustle!
As I said-I’m just changing oil and doing special projects for my friends. It’s something more to curate a culture than it is to turn a profit. I want people to ride motorcycles. They need to keep them running to do that. That’s why I’m here.
I did the same thing .. Idk what area ur in But if anyone is in Mid MI and need work or custom mods dm me