.....

 

Yes, open up a shop across a HD dealer....at half the price. Do excellent work.....word of mouth will spread fast. must be at least a few bays....one will not do.

 

Stick to your job and play/wrench on bikes as a hobby.
If I were in your situation I would buy a few bikes, fix them up and sell them.

 

start with detailing

 

What experience do you have working on motorcycles and running a business?

If you want to SPEND money to open a business (a good deal of it) and be willing to wait at least a year before you come close to breaking even while you are running the business AND you have all of the technical/practical knowledge fixing bikes, try it. If, however, you are expecting to make what you're making now right from the start? Keep your day job.

Depending on your situation, having a decent paying job is more important than being passionate. Some get to do that. Others also have bills to pay and mouths to feed.

 

Yep. Turning your hobby into your career, "or trying to", can kill both your career and your hobby.

 

Keep your day job and wrench on bikes on the side and if it picks up then rent a shop and start working on them on more but do not quit your job until as such time that you can justify quitting your job.
A lot of it also depends on your competition as well.
Research your subject.

 

I had a shop in the late 90's until about '03 and then I sold it and bought another big truck.
I made good money with the shop, because I was very good at what I was doing.
I just grew weary of dealing with the customers and the retail end of having a shop and the fact that because I have a low tolerance for bullshit, I don't possess the diplomatic skills for retail.

If you are going to actually try to have a motorcycle shop, you'd better be a better mechanic than anyone you know of and you'd better believe absolutely in your knowledge of these machines....otherwise the motorcycle business is going to eat you alive.
My shop did very well and I still take on work for people I know on a case by case basis, but, if you're just a hobbiest with a fantasy, stay at your job, this line of work aint for you.

 

Ever pulled a top end down? How do you get the mainshaft out of the high gear on a 5 speed? Do you know what tools are needed? Can you tune a carbureted bike with a screw driver, your ear, and the seat of your pants? What bolts do you loosen first on the inner primary on ANY big twin where the trans and engine aren't bolted together? Is the clutch hub nut on the mainshaft a left hand or right hand thread?

Unless you can answer these very basic questions without googling, I wouldn't even consider you as someone who could touch my bike with a wrench.

 

My Indie has been in business since 1974. I'd like to have 1% of his money that's for sure. His prices are reasonable, he'll come get you if you break down and has tons of take off parts that he sells for cheap.

People will support a knowledgeable Indie that has superior customer service values. I'd never take my bike to a dealer unless I was far from home and it was my only option.