Old Brits in Independence

I had driven down the road at least a dozen times before I had even noticed the motorcycles. There were only three of them sitting out front, but it was enough that it finally caught my attention. The chrome gleamed in the sunlight as I drove by, but I was unable to stop at that time. What had caught my attention was the fact that both bikes I had seen were Triumphs. Not the nice new fiberglass covered, fuel injected machines on the showroom floors. These were from at least 30 years ago and they were obviously customs. A custom British motorcycle shop? I would definitely have to go back.
I was an almost warm, sunny day in November when I finally got to go back for a leisurely look around the shop. Of course I rode my own motorcycle, as a car just would not do for this trip. As soon as you walk through the door there are the familiar scents from a mechanical shop, grease, gas, with a slight metallic hint in the air. At the front of the shop were completed motorcycles. One bike was a Triumph that was gloss black with a white racing stripe running along the tank and straight dual exhaust wrapped in black exhaust wrap. There was no front fender residing between the fork tubes and just a solo saddle. There was another that was an electric blue color with a white racing stripe and white exhaust wrap.
As you look through the walkway to the back of the shop, you can see two lifts, both of them with bikes on them. One bike is obviously a custom, purple with pin striping and one off metal work, but missing an engine. The other was a customer’s bike, a Norton, in for an engine rebuild. This one was a machine that was built for fun and speed. Handlebars that are short and clipped directly to the triple clamps, pointing in a drastic angle towards the ground to keep the rider’s elbows tucked into the side of the machine, in true café racer style.
On the day that I was there, Bob, the owner of Wheelsmith Cycles, was busy trying to finish up the Norton café racer. Although the main work was done, I could see that there was still a lot buttoning up work to be done. I asked if he minded me watching, and with a friendly smile through his bushy beard, gave me permission to watch him work. When he pulled the spark plug wires, the brass tip that slides inside the coil tip, stayed there. After pulling the wires apart, Bob grabbed a new long wire and with the skilled hands of a craftsman, he cut two wires to length, slid the boots on, and then soldered the new tips on. The whole time that he was working, he carried on a conversation with me, giving me a brief history of triumph, the name passing through many hands through history. He also told me about the Dirt Track motorcycle that was standing by the lift. Then he brought up their secret project.
He wouldn’t tell me much about the secret project, only that it will be another race bike and that it will be ready in the spring. By the look in his eyes, he was very excited about it. I guess I will have to come back in the spring. Damn, I hate waiting.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed and there were almost no wires or loose parts still sitting under the old Norton. Just watching him, you could tell that he knew his way around motorcycles. Bob has had more than 25 years of motorcycle repair experience and charges a fair rate. Shop labor is only $60 and hour, and a custom bike usually goes for around $15,000. If you are a motorcyclist that appreciates high quality customs and an experienced shop tech, it would be worth it to check out Wheelsmith Cycle in Independence, Oregon. If you would like a closer look at some of the custom bikes, or to see the custom parts available for old Brit-Bikes, simply visit the website, www.wheelsmithcycle.com.