Thinking about opening a custom bagger shop? advice
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: Southeast Wisconsin
Watch the beginning episodes of American Chopper Sr Vs. Jr and follow Jr as he is trying to get his shop up and running and do what he does 
Make sure you have good hours
If you can't stand the customer suck it up and be nice.
Don't let your favorites or regulars interfere with you interacting with your new/non-regular customers.
Make sure you have good hours
If you can't stand the customer suck it up and be nice.
Don't let your favorites or regulars interfere with you interacting with your new/non-regular customers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 824
From: Nevada
Great suggestions above. Only thing I can add is to diversify. Why not offer bobbers in addition to baggers? Also, consider offering some accessories like saddlebags and chrome bits. A simple eBay online store will help generate cash flow when things are slow in the shop. Most importantly, determine the total available market and operating costs before starting the business. Good luck!
Last edited by Geoff; Apr 14, 2011 at 12:27 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Diversify, do more than just baggers and never build the same bike twice. This fad (like all others) will fade in a couple years. Be willing to take on small jobs, special requests. Don't make fun of people with green or pink bikes. Have the equipment and skills to make one-off custom parts.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
My advise is start small. Don't go big time in the beginning. By that I mean do it part time, and don't quit your day job just yet. See if you really have enough work to keep the doors open all year. Pay the overhead, salaries, and then have profit when its all said and done.,,
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the advice. We are definitely going to start small and not limit ourselves to just baggers. I want to start out with drive in oil changes and routine maintenance. I believe the bread and butter will be doing tire changes, but also the biggest expense. A good tire machine is about 5k (don't want to risk screwing up somebodies rim. Once we get a dealership from someone like drag specialties, I would like us to get a website built to start moving parts right away. And always on my mind, good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster.
I will give status updates and let you guys know when we officially open. Keep the advice coming, open minded to take both good and bad.
I will give status updates and let you guys know when we officially open. Keep the advice coming, open minded to take both good and bad.
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