Got my first order!

[lrome48]

Man what a weekend. Rode up to the Rock Store with Carol on her bike Sunday. The response to the bike was amazing. Also, the place was ripe with celebrities. Jay Leno loved it, next time I see him I'll ask him if he wants to order one for each of his staff for Christmas presents.

Brian Catterson , now the Editor-in-Chief of Motorcyclist magazine was there and he gave me his card. The next day I got an email from Tim Carrithers about doing a story on my bikes.

I met the builder of the bikes used in the Transformer movies. He invited me to his shop. Cool...a transforming brick...hmmm. More than meets the eye.

Also, a friend who knows David Edwards of Cycle Magazine is setting up a meeting soon.

I GOT MY FIRST ORDER! I am building what I call a 'Retro-Modern 'K'afe. It's a K1200 motor in a K100 frame. Can't wait to get started!

The owner of the blue K75 is allowing me to display it at a dealership for 30 days, so the exposure will help. I have it in my garage and I am getting it ready to deliver next week.

Things are moving, I'll post build progress on my website.

It's exciting, and frankly scary. I am not a business minded person, and I could use any suggestions on how to conduct business. I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement and I won't for all the little people that have made me what I am today.

[owrstrich]

brings a tear to my eyeball there lrome48...

it was just a matter of time... a genuine niche deal you got going on there and you have the perfect location for such an endeavor...

be patient... i will be there in september with a proper business plan... the first draft reads... lrome48 build... j o count his money... that will be a good looking balance sheet...

j o

[Off the grid]

We're all behind you mate, you can do it!

I think you have all the business sense you need....just don't let your kindness be misinterpreted as weakness.

[lrome48]

brings a tear to my eyeball there lrome48...

it was just a matter of time... a genuine niche deal you got going on there and you have the perfect location for such an endeavor...

be patient... i will be there in september with a proper business plan...

j o

Man, looking forward to it JO!

[lrome48]

We're all behind you mate, you can do it!

I think you have all the business sense you need....just don't let your kindness be misinterpreted as weakness.

OTG,

You are prophetic, man talk about tears to the eyeball....

..Thanks.

[Beachcomber]

Hey Larry - the first of many judging by that standard - congratulations and good fortune.

Even in todays' economic climate, the cream will always rise to the top and be desirable.

I am at the other end of my business career - now retired [ ha,ha.], but still with a passionate interest in bikes and especially "something a little different"!

I do a little automotive engineering consultancy work these days just to keep the old grey matter from vegging out - mostly with old pals from the industry.

I have spent a lifetime designing . manufacturing and selling replica sports cars, Porsche, Cobra, Jaguar - but I've always had a few bikes around.

When I "retired" I discovered BMW's ! Never owned or even ridden one until 6 years ago. I'm making up for that now - at the last count 6 x K100's, 2 x K1100's and 3 x R80 / 100 Airheads.

Not ONE has remained standard - several Streetfighters a couple of Flat Trackers [ Airheads ] and my latest project a K100 / 1100 hybrid Race Replica. Then there's the Trike!

Anyway the reason for the preamble, I have been asked to make kits of the Streetfighter an Race Rep available by several parties in the UK - AND there is a definite and healthy market for Trikes, so it looks like I might be coming out of "retirement" in the next 12 months or so.

Follow your dream Larry - I started out 45 years ago with a lock up garage, some tools, about £100 [ $150 ] in my pocket and a dream - at the peak my company employed 14 secialists and we were making 100 kits a year and 20 turnkey cars.

ATB

TJ

[drmalacarne]

COngratulations for the amazing bike that you build!
And cool things just like your K75 will always have market.
Gui

[lrome48]

Thanks for the support everyone,

God is faithful, impossible to understand, but faithful. Falling from a six figure income last October to depending on Carol's piano lesson fees and my unemployment has been a real challenge, yet the bills are being paid and there is food on the table. We are healthy, if not often frustrated and anxious, and keeping our heads above water. July 14th was the first anniversary of winning the custody battle over my kids after a 5 year long struggle. We call it our 'Independence Day'. This first year raising them has been challenging to say the least. I don't think most people have a clue what it is like to have emotionally damaged children thrust upon them. Having the kids come to live with us is great, but the dynamics of the relationships, the dealing with the emotional scarring and psychological baggage they brought with them is a monumental endeavor. And to make it more interesting the kid's mother and her husband continue to play mind games with them, attempting to manipulate and control them. My kid's however, are getting older and stronger each day, and are beginning to see through their mother's attempts to make them feel guilty and they are standing up for themselves more and more.

I am beginning to meet people that I can align myself with, to truly network with, people who recognize and appreciate my passion and support and encourage the vision. They certainly have more confidence and faith in me than I do, and see the potential I do not.

Just today the new vendor I am using for plating drove up from Orange County (A miserable drive up the I5) to visit with me and Carol and to see our garage. We spent several hours getting to know each other and he really was impressed with what we are trying to do, and buys into us. Several of the influential people that we briefly met at the Rock Store have already contacted me and one even stopped by to visit the other day. He said he loves our enthusiasm and is going to promote us and do what he can to help us realize our dream. The momentum is building, and becoming palatable.

Most of all I have Carol who is my greatest ally, and best friend. Without her I am lost. She demonstrates God's love to me every second of every hour of every day. Some mornings she wakes panicking, the weight of the world seemingly on her shoulders, then she goes to God in prayer and returns restored and energized. Her faithfulness and support is what sustains me. I am in awe of her.

God is Good.

[lrome48]

Follow your dream Larry - I started out 45 years ago with a lock up garage, some tools, about £100 [ $150 ] in my pocket and a dream - at the peak my company employed 14 secialists and we were making 100 kits a year and 20 turnkey cars.

ATB

TJ

You are an inspiration TJ.

[Sonu]

I could use any suggestions on how to conduct business.

Hi Larry,

Ted Porter runs a very successful independent BMW shop here in Northern California. He was interviewed on NPR and you might pick up a couple of tips listening to him http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_7 ... Riding.mp3

In particular his thought process on using his parts department to smooth out business year round is food for thought.

Congratulations on your first order. You know we are all rooting for you. I'll stop in next time I head down to LA.

Take care,

Sanjiv

[hirschhs]

Larry, you've got talent.. building talent, visionary talent and talent for seeing a project through.
Business advice? I suspect you won't need it, your artwork will sell itself; all you have to do is make sure you are selling at the right price and that's not rocket science.
Very good luck to you indeed and when I win the lottery, you will be the second point of contact I will be making!

[chris Sunderland]

All the time!

[Milton]

You know what they say; "Do what you like and the success will follow.". Looks like the success is just around the corner for you.

Beautiful work and great contacts; Jay Leno??? that is way cool.

Milton S.