Vancouver mechanic opens repair shop co-op

[DarthRider]

What a great idea!
I understand such shops were common in pre-WWII England. I don't see why this would not work very well.
He needs to tap into the retired market to get the weekday, business hours guys in the shop.

From Dealernews:
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/LATEST+NEWS/Vancouver-mechanic-opens-repair-shop-co-op/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/707915?contextCategoryId=48447

A Vancouver motorcycle mechanic has found a way to indulge his powersports passion and share it with cost-conscious riders.

Paul Malowany remembers a day as a teenager when he needed to repair a flat tire on his motorcycle. He took it to a shop, where the repair cost $100 – a dear price for him at the time.

“As a kid I’d never even seen $100,” he told the Vancouver, B.C. Courier . “I told them I had $25 and they said OK, we’ll take your $25 and you can work the rest off over three months.”

Malowany dreamed of owning his own shop ever since, and last May opened Motomethod Community Motorcycle Repair Shop with partner Simon Travers. The shop rents out benches, bays and tools and the owners teach teenagers how to repair their own machines.

But the shop is also popular with adults. Women, including several grandmothers, make up 30 per cent of the 100-plus members of the cooperative, according to the newspaper.

Membership costs $100 and includes free tire changes, one free pickup, discounts on parts and tires, access to the shop and winter bike storage for $1 a day. The shop offers classes and tools are available for rent.

Posted by Holly Wagner

[Donson]

I rescued a Fellow Rider today when I went for gas. He had a pickup pulled up next to His dresser Harley, and a pair of jumper cables, and a puzzled look on His face. And a 1% patch on a vest sporting a Sombrero........He didnt have a screwdriver to remove the seat to get to His battery. I loaned Him a screwdriver, then coached Him thru hooking up the cables and starting the bike wo damaging His electrical system. He was very appreciative, and thanked Me profusely. He told Me He is 57, has been riding for 30 years, and "been needing to replace the battery for over a year"......Uh,.......Ok. But He had a nice, new Do-rag. A bad battery, but, a new Do-rag. And LOTS of chrome.:028::028::028::028::028:

[Pacific]

I think this guy may have taken the idea from a co-op that's been operating in Victoria for the last few years. Adrenaline Motorcycle Co-op. (http://www.adrenalinmotorcycle.com/) These guys are just about 25 miles from me. I've picked up some things there, but have never joined the co-op.

Here's the concept, in a nutshell:


"Adrenalin Motorcycle Co-op members receive discounts off the shop rate, all parts and materials. In addition, free tire changes and great savings on gear, clothing and accessories." It's about $200 to join, I think.

Jay

[DarthRider]

Yeah Jay, for some guys a co-op like that would make very good sense.
Especially the $1.00 per day winter storage for an apartment dweller!
And I really like that they have how-to-do-it classes.

[Sir Limpsalot]

We have the same thing for car owners, but I've never seen it done for bikes here. Good idea.