Gutterridge closing?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
Gutterridge was bought out by the MOCO and closed. The buildings have recently been sold. Roger Gutterridge bought out the existing inventory and opened a shop in Danville. The name is House of Bikes and can bee seen on Facebook under "House of Bikes." The adress is 533 E Main Street ind Danville, Il. 61832. The phone number is the same as Gutterridge Harley-Davidson, 217-446-4555.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
I'm not surprised, Danville is competing with Decatur to see which will earn the "Detroit of Illinois" title.
I bought my first motorcycle there back in 2000, a Buell.
Sad.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
It was a dealership in a good location with a good solid base of HD rider's in the area. Should not have been any issues that would lead to closing. Also, heard that there were problems back in the shop and that quality was an issue with maintenance and repair work. Again, just local rumour.
Bones
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
Yes, definately closing. May already be closing. Heard some talk that the MOCO may have pulled the franchise. That was just rumour, never heard anything solid. Also, heard there were management problems. Something of the effect money in the front door, money out the back door, skip the accountant in between.
It was a dealership in a good location with a good solid base of HD rider's in the area. Should not have been any issues that would lead to closing. Also, heard that there were problems back in the shop and that quality was an issue with maintenance and repair work. Again, just local rumour.
Bones
It was a dealership in a good location with a good solid base of HD rider's in the area. Should not have been any issues that would lead to closing. Also, heard that there were problems back in the shop and that quality was an issue with maintenance and repair work. Again, just local rumour.
Bones
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Not the case. I ran the Service Department for 20 years. All money was accounted for. Taxes were behind and late, however all penalties were paid and settled prior to closing. It's public record, look it up. Danville is a repressed area and the MOCO was looking to downsize franchises to better protect stronger markets. We were not in competition with Decatur, nor could we be. We were in competition with Wabash Valley and Andrae's and we were the weakest. We were bought out and eliminated. We had a stellar Service Department and with the highest trained technicians in our area. We completed service no other dealers would want to attempt. Our Service Department had higher numbers than the other dealers and I was told that I was stealing service from other dealers. I would put my guy's up against the best.
I had two problems:
1) Blown rocker gasket (surprise surprise).
2) Installed a V&H SS2R exhaust and it made the bike backfire/carbfart, blowing the intake boot off.
Both times I limped it into your service department and both times you guys had me back on the road very fast. The tech for issue #2 actually hand drilled out the main jet in my carb to save me the cost of buying a whole jet kit, and the bike ran like a dream.
Meanwhile, while I waited for that to be done, Roger put me on his extremely modified yellow Buell Blast and let me go do a bunch of runs up and down the highway on it, just for fun.
You guys had an excellent dealership there and I'm very sorry to see it closed.
If you are ever around the Champaign/Urbana area, give me a holler on this forum cause I'd like to shake your hand. You going to the Wheels and Reels bike show this saturday here in Champaign? A bunch of us from Andrae's HD will be there....
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
If you ran the service dept at Gutterridge, I'd like to personally thank you for providing EXCELLENT service back around the year 2000 when I was on my first bike (A buell I bought there).
I had two problems:
1) Blown rocker gasket (surprise surprise).
2) Installed a V&H SS2R exhaust and it made the bike backfire/carbfart, blowing the intake boot off.
Both times I limped it into your service department and both times you guys had me back on the road very fast. The tech for issue #2 actually hand drilled out the main jet in my carb to save me the cost of buying a whole jet kit, and the bike ran like a dream.
Meanwhile, while I waited for that to be done, Roger put me on his extremely modified yellow Buell Blast and let me go do a bunch of runs up and down the highway on it, just for fun.
You guys had an excellent dealership there and I'm very sorry to see it closed.
If you are ever around the Champaign/Urbana area, give me a holler on this forum cause I'd like to shake your hand. You going to the Wheels and Reels bike show this saturday here in Champaign? A bunch of us from Andrae's HD will be there....
I had two problems:
1) Blown rocker gasket (surprise surprise).
2) Installed a V&H SS2R exhaust and it made the bike backfire/carbfart, blowing the intake boot off.
Both times I limped it into your service department and both times you guys had me back on the road very fast. The tech for issue #2 actually hand drilled out the main jet in my carb to save me the cost of buying a whole jet kit, and the bike ran like a dream.
Meanwhile, while I waited for that to be done, Roger put me on his extremely modified yellow Buell Blast and let me go do a bunch of runs up and down the highway on it, just for fun.
You guys had an excellent dealership there and I'm very sorry to see it closed.
If you are ever around the Champaign/Urbana area, give me a holler on this forum cause I'd like to shake your hand. You going to the Wheels and Reels bike show this saturday here in Champaign? A bunch of us from Andrae's HD will be there....
Thank's man. I remember the bike. Bere Shutes was the Tech that took care of you. On his spare time he is a Mikuni rep on Rob Hassey's Pro Tour. That Blast is one I built for my old man. It is a Revolution 515cc with a Brian ****** head and Bartels' camshaft. It makes 49 horse. No too shabby for a single lunger that made 24 horse stock. I have a ride for and old friend this weekend so I can't make the ride but I am still here in Danville so I am sure we will get together sometime. Thank's again.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Thank's man. I remember the bike. Bere Shutes was the Tech that took care of you. On his spare time he is a Mikuni rep on Rob Hassey's Pro Tour. That Blast is one I built for my old man. It is a Revolution 515cc with a Brian ****** head and Bartels' camshaft. It makes 49 horse. No too shabby for a single lunger that made 24 horse stock. I have a ride for and old friend this weekend so I can't make the ride but I am still here in Danville so I am sure we will get together sometime. Thank's again.
That blast was crazy awesome...I remember hopping on it and being amazed at how powerful it was compared to mine. Man, it makes as much power as my 883 does now!