What do you guys think.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
What do you guys think.
I posted this in the General Forum and then thought I would have been better served putting it here.
Do any of you think a shop that specialized in Evo and earlier bikes would survive?
I see more and more that the Factory Dealers are not working on the older bikes. I've been wondering how many of you that have Evo,Shovel, Pan, Knuck and Flatheads would take it to an Independent shop or do you guys mostly do all your own work.
The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about getting out of my current job and maybe opening a shop that does strictly pre TC work. I know there are plenty of Indy's that can do it but I think someone that specializes in it might be able to build up a decent costomer base.
What say you?
Do any of you think a shop that specialized in Evo and earlier bikes would survive?
I see more and more that the Factory Dealers are not working on the older bikes. I've been wondering how many of you that have Evo,Shovel, Pan, Knuck and Flatheads would take it to an Independent shop or do you guys mostly do all your own work.
The reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about getting out of my current job and maybe opening a shop that does strictly pre TC work. I know there are plenty of Indy's that can do it but I think someone that specializes in it might be able to build up a decent costomer base.
What say you?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I dunno. Any new business today is an extreme risk. However, there are a lot of pre-TC bikes out there, including all the "customs." It would depend on your particular area.
Frankly, I'm gonna suggest you don't quit your existing job. Being in business for yourself sux big time. You can start a small business on the side of your existing job and let the business build itself. Rent a store front, be open after 5 and on the weekends, etc. When you get to a point that you are making more money from your business than from your day job, then quit. It's like I told my wife this afternoon: If you make $1000 an hour, that's great, but if you only work 1 hour a year, it sucks, and $10/hour every hour for 40/hours a week is a whole lot better than $1K/hour for one hour a year.
Frankly, I'm gonna suggest you don't quit your existing job. Being in business for yourself sux big time. You can start a small business on the side of your existing job and let the business build itself. Rent a store front, be open after 5 and on the weekends, etc. When you get to a point that you are making more money from your business than from your day job, then quit. It's like I told my wife this afternoon: If you make $1000 an hour, that's great, but if you only work 1 hour a year, it sucks, and $10/hour every hour for 40/hours a week is a whole lot better than $1K/hour for one hour a year.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I dunno. Any new business today is an extreme risk. However, there are a lot of pre-TC bikes out there, including all the "customs." It would depend on your particular area.
Frankly, I'm gonna suggest you don't quit your existing job. Being in business for yourself sux big time. You can start a small business on the side of your existing job and let the business build itself. Rent a store front, be open after 5 and on the weekends, etc. When you get to a point that you are making more money from your business than from your day job, then quit. It's like I told my wife this afternoon: If you make $1000 an hour, that's great, but if you only work 1 hour a year, it sucks, and $10/hour every hour for 40/hours a week is a whole lot better than $1K/hour for one hour a year.
Frankly, I'm gonna suggest you don't quit your existing job. Being in business for yourself sux big time. You can start a small business on the side of your existing job and let the business build itself. Rent a store front, be open after 5 and on the weekends, etc. When you get to a point that you are making more money from your business than from your day job, then quit. It's like I told my wife this afternoon: If you make $1000 an hour, that's great, but if you only work 1 hour a year, it sucks, and $10/hour every hour for 40/hours a week is a whole lot better than $1K/hour for one hour a year.
I'm on the road now and only get home for a few weeks every 6 month's or so which leaves out the sideline idea.
But thanks for you input. I appreciate ti.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 463
From: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
Another thing to consider is that working on pre TC bikes would be the diminishing client pool. As the bikes get older there will be fewer and fewer of them to work on. Difficulty of parts availability will be another issue.
On the upside, if you are really good, you can charge higher fees, and need fewer customers to sustain the business.
I am not suggesting that you do not do it, but take a while to put together a thorough marketing and business plan to figure out how you can make the numbers work. Good luck.
On the upside, if you are really good, you can charge higher fees, and need fewer customers to sustain the business.
I am not suggesting that you do not do it, but take a while to put together a thorough marketing and business plan to figure out how you can make the numbers work. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
Yeah, and from personal small business experience, when you're doing your numbers: Take what you think you will bring in gross, divide that by 3. Take what you think your expenses will be, multiply that by 2. At the end of the year, you will find that the governments (all of them) made more money that you did.
Maybe you could find a lower paying job doing local truck runs that had you home most evenings. Then you could have time to build up a side business.
Maybe you could find a lower paying job doing local truck runs that had you home most evenings. Then you could have time to build up a side business.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 2,605
From: NC USA
I wrote a lengthy post to this thread last evening and chose to not post it but....
If going into a personal business as one's sole source of income, and starting from scatch as in - no established customer base, no longevity reputation, and requiring stock (parts) and equipment and storefront - one really needs to have enough money (on-the-hip, not borrowed) to stock and run the business, as well as total personal living expenses for one year. Otherwise, it's more of a struggle than most proprietors can bear.
I realize you're getting what seems to be negative vibes from these responses, but speaking for myself and most likely the others, we're telling you what is truth and reality from experience. But there ARE perks to being self-employed and "working" them the right way is key and it can be done.
From what you wrote, IronAss, you're (basically) doing what I'm doing and want to do the same thing I want to do. I've given it a LOT of thought myself. So, on a more positive note, I remember a very wise person once told me:
"you can do anything you want to do. And you can be anything you want to be. You just have to be willing."
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
Get your checkbook out, IA. NO time like the present !
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1293480742.html
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1293031551.html
Got an address where you want ME to show up?? Just as long as we are NOT in downtown Phoenix!!!!!
Sedona would be nice. OR the north side of the White Mountains. H*LL, I like New Mex, too. Riodoso. Just NOT to close to Area 51, I DON'T WANT 'em to think I am a runaway/escapee !!!! 
Course, if you were to swing by with the 'rig', sure would make the move, easier!!!!
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1293480742.html
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/1293031551.html
Got an address where you want ME to show up?? Just as long as we are NOT in downtown Phoenix!!!!!
Sedona would be nice. OR the north side of the White Mountains. H*LL, I like New Mex, too. Riodoso. Just NOT to close to Area 51, I DON'T WANT 'em to think I am a runaway/escapee !!!! Course, if you were to swing by with the 'rig', sure would make the move, easier!!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 430
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
my buddy was laid off and started doing it out of his garage. he then went and opened a shop that did ok. when it was all said and done he went back to his garage. he is doing the same work but putting the $800 rent in his pocket.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
From: Middle of Kansas
I'm in the same shoes,different industry.
It's a big step and also involves something that I'm not fond of............
"desk work"
Back to the OT,there is a guy in town that started out part time working on older bikes. He does great work,built a rep, and has taken a lot of the older/custom bike work from the local HD dealer.Enough that he now does it full time and hired a couple of employee's !!
If your heart is in it,you take pride in your work,treat people fairly,and don't mind some long hours,give it a shot.
Many of my friends with newer bikes are also starting to head his way.
There's just something about a guy that takes pride in his work that will draw a crowd!