A question concerning older bikes

I have never posted here before but I have a question I hope you all can
help answer. Is there any interest in classic bikes in the Dallas area?
I have been looking for work in my field of graphic design for the last
3 years and I have been living off the slim pickings of contract labor.
The only other thing I know how to do is fix and restore old Triumph and
Norton motorcycles. (I also have a fare amount of experience with Moto
Guzzi) Do you think there is a need for such a service?

James

 

Well James... good luck to you .. If your market search is limited to this
metroplex area of Texas, there may not be a very lucrative market.. There
isn't very many serious collectors of antique motorcycles..

This market seems consumed by the latest technological advanced products ..
If your exertise extends to other models and your skills of restoration
includes the sheet metal and ascetic features, then you might expect a
pretty decent customer base..

Independent shops who service and repair ALL makes and models seem to be
doing fairly well.. Mike Thompson of Renegade Cycles in Mesquite would be a
good contact for advice.. There are others around, but Mike is one that I
know fairly well.. He is honest, as well as a good businessman..

Your friend in Irving
Bill Walker

 

I'd give the guys at Eurosport Cycle in FTW, and Cycle Imports in
Dallas a call. I don't think they are hiring, but they deal with
those types of bikes and might have some ideas of where to send you.

Best of luck!


--Fullstate

Me and Mah 'Priller!

 

Talk to RPM Cycle, 972-620-3883, they do restorations of brit bikes, eg,
Triumph, Norton, etc in the dallas area, don't know if they are hiring
or what your skills are.
BMW of Ft. Worth is also a well known restoration house for german and
european marques eg, BMW, Zundapp, Manx, + Guzzi, Ducati etc.
British-USA in S. Houston does restoration work on triumph, norton, bsa,
ariel etc.

any of those three should be able to steer you in the right direction.
opening your own shop is a decision you would have to make yourself, but
there is a market for competent work on classic machinery and a good
shop will draw clients from all over. you might want to consider
working in someone elses shop first before dropping the money to open
your own, but that's your decision.

i've met some pretty serious brit bike collectors from all over the US,
including n. texas, at the annual British Motor Cycle Owners rally in
New Ulm every May. Some serious interest in this stuff, it's fun and
the bikes are steadily going up in value.

 

you are clueless, aren't you....

 

Not "clueless" about you, Trash.. <snip this>.. Your post in response to the
man asking a serious question was genuine enough.. Your response to my post
was only furthur indication that my opinion of you is justified and "on
target"..

 

I want to thank you all for your thoughtful posts. It has been some
years since I worked in the bike trade. It was very enjoyable if not
very lucrative. I thought of the older bikes as a way back into the bike
field. I have the most experience in those bikes. I used to work in a
BMW/Triumph dealership in Oklahoma City. We used to kid each other at
the time that we were learning all there was to know about obsolete
equipment. (We did a lot of T150, 3 cylinder rebuilds.)

I still keep my Norton 750 as a pet and yes it has gone up in value. I
did a frame up on the Norton when I got it and fixed a lot of the crappy
things Nortons do along the way. I have not been through the engine.
That will have to wait. There are some lower end (oil scavenging and
breather) modification that need to be done and this requires a little
machine work. The Norton is a great ride and it turns heads but someday
(when I find something to do) I would like to find a modern (push the
button and ride) bike.

Thanks for the advice and the contacts.

James

Speaking of clueless, I had a guy walk up to me at a gas station, point
at my Norton and ask "is that a Harley!"

 

I'd have to reply "nope, it's a Honda!"