[Bassdude404]

A few weeks back I started a thread looking for ideas to name my new business here at home, working on bikes...Had a ton of great ideas, and a few that stood out above the rest...Was gonna post the best ones and include a poll and let you guys vote..That would be fun, but I think I have the one that's gonna be it...Had this in my mind the past couple weeks, and have waited to see if it sticks...


Odie's Cycle Shack
Metric cruiser service and modification


As some of you know, Odie is our miniature Daschund that we got back at Thanksgiving last year...When folks ask who Odie is and I'll point to him, telling them that he's a real slave driver and he runs the place (he really does have me trained quite well now...lol..)


And to celebrate this occasion, and show my appreciation for all the ideas you guys threw at me, I'm gonna cut everybody a great deal on valve adjustment/check...

Dealers charge anywhere from $250 to $350 (and even more sometimes) for this job....My normal price is $200 for the same job..We've all read horror stories of dealers doing this job "while you wait" which is not doing it correct....The bike has to sit overnight so the engine is completely cooled off...Some delaers charge $300+ and don't even pull the tank or open the tool box, they just start the bike and listen to them!!...Anybody that has done this job can back me up here...There's no way in hell that anybody can tell if all three valves in each cylinder are within spec by just listening to the engine run...:nope:

So for you VTX Cafe members, through the July 4th weekend, I'm gonna offer the valve adjustment/check for $150...

Due to my work schedule during the week, I can only do this job on the weekend...So you'll need to drop the bike off here on Friday afternoon/evening, or trailer it in Saturday morning...Then I can get it done and you can be riding again by Saturday afternoon, (depending on what time you arrive if trailering the bike)...


After the July 4th weekend, the price goes back up to $200 which is still a good price...And you know that I'll actually do the work, versus some of those dealer techs that just rip off the customer...

Send me an email to set up an appointment...
[email protected]

Thanks everybody, and I hope to live up to your expectations...atriot:

 

[wanderingbear]

Good luck Bill.

 

[MR VTX]

I've been thinking about doing something similar down here in my neck of the woods. I've gotten all kinds of requests (engine painting/polishing, valves, electrical, rejets, etc.) I've done a few on the side and made a decent amount, but maybe I need to take it to the next level and make it official. :hmm2:

Will you just be doing VTXs, or have you done other metric bikes? I'm only familiar with the 1300.

 

[rs42sport]

sweet...

 

[Bassdude404]

I've been thinking about doing something similar down here in my neck of the woods. I've gotten all kinds of requests (engine painting/polishing, valves, electrical, rejets, etc.) I've done a few on the side and made a decent amount, but maybe I need to take it to the next level and make it official. :hmm2:

Will you just be doing VTXs, or have you done other metric bikes? I'm only familiar with the 1300.

About a month or so ago, I did the valves and pair removal on vjp5's wife's Suzuki...All metric cruiser bikes for now...

 

[wanderingbear]

I've been thinking about doing something similar down here in my neck of the woods. I've gotten all kinds of requests (engine painting/polishing, valves, electrical, rejets, etc.) I've done a few on the side and made a decent amount, but maybe I need to take it to the next level and make it official. :hmm2:

Will you just be doing VTXs, or have you done other metric bikes? I'm only familiar with the 1300.

As long as it's not a major repair it's all in the service manuals. If you go public you need a business license, insurance and tax permits. You need to keep books and build a good customer base. Liablity insurance is a must, if anyone gets injury as a result of a repair you are going to get sued. Incorporate so they can only sue the business otherwise you're risking everything you own. Do the studies it's a lot more involved than opening the garage door. It's the reason most dealers won't do the tires for the darkside. They don't care about your warranty that's the bike owners responsibilty, they don't want the potential lawsuits. Owning a business is a big step.

 

[headcase]

Congrats Bass...that is a great name for the business...

 

[BigBoreVTX]

short and sweet.I like it good luck.

 

[MR VTX]

As long as it's not a major repair it's all in the service manuals. If you go public you need a business license, insurance and tax permits. You need to keep books and build a good customer base. Liablity insurance is a must, if anyone gets injury as a result of a repair you are going to get sued. Incorporate so they can only sue the business otherwise you're risking everything you own. Do the studies it's a lot more involved than opening the garage door. It's the reason most dealers won't do the tires for the darkside. They don't care about your warranty that's the bike owners responsibilty, they don't want the potential lawsuits. Owning a business is a big step.

Yes, it is...I already own one company. I'm not sure if I would take it to that level. This would mainly be for the people I already know here in the greater Houston area. But you are correct that those items are necessary to open a full-fledged shop.

 

[knightrook]

cool name and best of luck with the new business and occupation "odie" with occ :bleh:

 

[Mondorah]

Nice Bill.

 

[doug48317]

Cool name Bill, I wish you the best of luck getting this off & running.
I just hope you like being called Odie from now on

Liablity insurance is a must, if anyone gets injury as a result of a repair you are going to get sued. Incorporate so they can only sue the business otherwise you're risking everything you own. Do the studies it's a lot more involved than opening the garage door. They don't care about your warranty that's the bike owners responsibilty, they don't want the potential lawsuits. Owning a business is a big step.

I'm not sure if IN has the same set up or not (?) but in MI you can get a business started by registering your business name under a DBA (Doing Business As) they cost about $15 at the local court house.

Not to be a downer on your plan as I'm sure you've done some homework already but... as Jerry said you should seriously look into going Incorporated or at the very least go with a LLC to protect all your personal assets. It only takes one unhappy person to file a law suit and turn your whole world upside down over night.

Then you get to the other Elephant in the room "Insurance" In this sue happy world of today there are Way to many people looking for a easy payout. So before you get anything rolling to fast I strongly recommend you talk to your Ins agent to see what it'll cost you to cover your buttocks. Even a million dollar ploicy doesn't go very far today.

 

[h2omagnet]

Love the name!! AND it could lead to some pretty cool logo's for the business down the road!!

 

[redsoxnation]

I hope that your business will be a success.

 

[pastordave]

I know you will do well Bill. The very best to you.

Pdave

 

[djdano]

ODIE'S CYCLE SHACK....hot duddity DOG..........lol

that does sounds like a cool name for it though.........
hope it all works out for ya bro..........

 

[Gonzo1970]

I like the name!!

-Gonz

 

[wanderingbear]

Hey Bill you going to have a grand opening with free Hot Dogs???????

 

[Bassdude404]

Hey Bill you going to have a grand opening with free Hot Dogs???????

Hmmm.....That's funny right there!!....

Was gonna give Odie a hotdog at the tech session, but thought it might be too much like cannibalism...:icon_eek:

 

[rjtmac]

Good luck "Bass". Hope everything goes well and every customer is a good one. Make a $$ mint $$ ...

Being a metric shop I would think egg rolls would be more appropriate than hot dogs though.....:hmm2:.. Maybe not Red - White - and Blue enough though ... OK, hot dogs then...