We lost 2 good dealers

[Mick]

Racer Cafe in St. Charles il is closing its doors. I just received an email from them this morning. They catered to sports bikes but would also work on trikes. I wish them well in whatever direction they wind up.

And sadly Al Timm of Timms Trikes retired last month and closed his doors awhile back. Al was a staunch supporter of trikes and triking. Anytime you stopped by Al and Jan always made you feel like family. If you needed help they always were there and went the extra mile plus to help. His website is still up but sadly his doors are closed. Best wishes to him and his family in retirement!

 

[dirtdobber]

Sad to hear this.
Tony's trikes closed last fall. They were great folks to deal with. Always willing to help trikers.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

We lost a real super Honda Dealer and
Trike conversion company years ago.
Pete Hatfield Motors of Muscatine, Iowa.
I drove 300 miles to buy a my new 06 Goldwing and Champion Trike conversion from him.
I have never had one problem with it to date.

 

[rhino 2]

Quite a few business are going south- And or retiring early... And not just the bike shops..
We have found the enemy and he is us..
Aka; E-bay, Amazon , And the internet.. [I can get it cheaper]

 

[suvcw04]

Weber's Cycle Center in Waterloo IA closed about a year ago. From 1966 to 2009, I bought 14 bikes from Lloyd Weber. He and wife Mary Lou were riders long before they became a dealership. They sold Yamaha, Honda, Triumph and (many years ago) Royal Enfield.

 

[Mick]

Quite a few business are going south- And or retiring early... And not just the bike shops..
We have found the enemy and he is us..
Aka; E-bay, Amazon , And the internet.. [I can get it cheaper]

That might be part of it but in some respects the trike companies are their installers worst enemy. It used to be you got a franchise and the next dealer was far enough away that it didnt impact your sales. Nowadays there is a couple of companies that are so hungry theyll sell franchises to whoever comes up with the cash. And now the dealers that worked hard to build up there business and reputation have another franchise on there back door. And these guys who have been in the business for many many years are the guys you want working on your trike. Unfortunately age ,politics, and just a lot of malarkey is causing some of these dealers to call it quits. And from what Ive heard from a few dealers I honestly dont blame them

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes, it is a sad commentary, some of the 'good' installers getting out of the business. Some/many dealers getting into the business of trike building, giving real trike builders a bad name. Dealers are always a hassle to work with, that's a broad brush stroke, but that's been my negative experience.