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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The story of the Cycle Shack in Randallstown could almost be a chapter from the “Great American Dream Handbook.”
The year was 1972 and Rob and Vicky Kunkel sold Rob’s beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle and took the cash to start their own business in a garage behind his father’s house. Their goal was to earn enough money to buy their own home.
“The first year we were in business, he would work his regular job of construction and I would run the shop,” Vicky Kunkel said. “As soon as he got home, he’d run the shop. In those days we were 9 to 9, seven days a week.”
Life has become a bit less frenetic for the Kunkels in the more than three decades since they began their business. The Kunkels, now joined by son Slade and several employees, still specialize in Harley repair. They moved long ago from the garage that was their first job site, and now house the business in a several-times-expanded 8,000-square-foot building.
Indeed, on a recent day discussing the business, Vicky Kunkel was occasionally called away to discuss various parts or accessories for customers’ cycles. In Kunkel’s world, those customers can range from professionals who’ve returned to cycling after years of absence to the “live and breathe cycles” person.
That’s not surprising to cycle enthusiast Ed Kriston of the Towson office of AAA Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Wilmington, Del. “More and more people are riding motorcycles,” Kriston said noting the high price of gasoline.
When the Kunkels started their business, they almost immediately decided to specialize in the repair of Harleys. Today the business boasts a host of other services including custom paint jobs and an array of sophisticated diagnostic and repair services. Customers, many of whom hail from as far away as West Virginia, can also buy used cycles on consignment.
The shop is customer friendly, too, with many comfortable features including rocking chairs on a large front porch, perfect for customers who want to sit and talk about Harleys.
Not only has business boomed in the years since Cycle Shack began, but the Kunkels have received industry notice, too, most recently from Dealer News for “Best Independent Dealer of Pre-Owned Harley Davidson Motorcycles.”
“We are not standing still,” Kunkel said. “We are always moving forward.”
More information
Cycle Shack
10124 Liberty Road
Randallstown
410-922-6198; 410-922-6141
shackattack.com
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Comments from Examiner Readers
12:41 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Vintage Triumphs roll on"
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10:15 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"
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3:41 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 2, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"
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10:36 PM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"
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7:03 PM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"
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9:16 PM MST on Tue., Nov. 27, 2007 re: "Dealer ensures cycles 'fit' the customers"
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Examiner Reader said:
It is refreshing to see that their are motorcyclist out there that are as passionate about their bikes as the Harley Davidson nation. And heck, I think it is great that they are passionate about their bikes too! I am a motorcyclist and I love to ride. I do ride a Honda VTX1300R. It is my second Honda and I also have owned a Kawasaki (KLR250). I have always loved the styling of the old Triumph's and from what I have seen of the new bikes, the Tiger, Bonneville, Speed Tiples and others they are really incredible looking and performing bikes. Much like Harley, from what I understand, they have worked out a lot of the old bugaboos that came with the bikes in the past. Again, I think it is great that everybody has their own personal prefernce but when it comes down to it I love to ride. I can't fathom the comments that I have heard like, "If I can't ride a (blank) I won't ride anything." Hondas, Triumphs, Victory, Harley, Ducati, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Norton... I love 'em all! John Mozuk
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IN THE KNOW said:
This place is going to be sold to Marine-Max or so it goes around the Harbor
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Examiner Reader said:
The new location looks very nice....The service is still luke warm at best, and the charges are out of line for the east coast
43 agree | 31 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You should check with yacht owners that have gone to other yards due to poor service and overpriced labor! I tell every one up and down the ICW to avoid this place at all cost. You do your readership a great diservice when you write such crap!
28 agree | 31 disagree
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Never Again said:
This fluff piece is a buncha hooey. They have a really bad reputation.....have had it for years.... They are arrogant from the top down..... Tidewater Yacht Service Tidewater Yacht Service.....
38 agree | 39 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This yard is a rip off. You store your boat there for the winter and then they remeasure it after you have paid them and charge you more a coupla months later.
54 agree | 29 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I was fortunate enough to meet these guys last weekend and let me tell you one thing, Jon and Shawn are a class act in both customer service and up front honesty. Very few business men who can fit this mold. Keep up the great work guys. Looking forward in building my dream bike soon. Thanks for all your advice! Big Daddy Dog Route 40 Bikers' Paradise USA
88 agree | 90 disagree
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