Timing was everything for Tim McDowell and Dan Gray, who own The Cycle Vault Club in Elkridge.
The two considered themselves kindred spirits who enjoyed vintage motorcycles, even belonging to the same Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club. So it seemed only natural that the two join forces to produce parts for vintage Japanese motorcycles and for use in their own restoration cycle business.
“The most difficult part was finding a building to suit our needs,” said McDowell. “I found this building driving home from work one day. I knew it was going to work out when the owner [of the building] and I first met was wearing a Harley-Davidson T-shirt.”
Fast forward one year where word-of-mouth has quickly spread about the Cycle Vault Club. Not only do customers flock there for vintage parts and restoration, but there is ample room for year-round motorcycle storage too.
The climate-controlled storage allows easy access for owners? to retrieve their cycles from this secure, monitored building and The Cycle Vault Club?s services include a wash bay, an air compressor and hookups for an electric battery tender. An on-site ASE technician is another convenience.
Asked about all the extras the Cycle Vault offers, McDowell chalked the details up to the knowledge he and his partner have gained in the many years they have collected cycles.
“If a bike is older than 15 to 20 years, you just can?t find parts and timely service forit,” he said. “We wanted to change that.”
Indeed, the problem lack of parts for classic cycles seems widespread as evidenced by a recent look at the Baltimore-area CraigsList.
“So, I was looking for a mechanic that would do quality work on my ?80s bike, but all of the mainstream mechanics and dealers were giving me the same line: ?If you had a newer bike, we?d make time for it but since it is an older bike, you?ll have to wait until winter, when no one else is riding.? ” wrote a CraigsList poster identified only as Jess, who was referred to Cycle Vault. “Let me tell you, these guys absolutely rock!”
The poster went on to discuss the professionalism of the shop and the respectful treatment afforded cyclists.
“We keep this business spic and span,” said McDowell. “If I was going to put my classic vintage bikes somewhere, that is how I would want to store them. It?s just that kind of business.”
The Cycle Vault Club
7035 Kit Kat Road
Elkridge
www.cyclevaultclub.com
410-799-3588
