BALTIMORE (Map, News) - If you really want to break away from the ordinary, a trip to The Shop at North Point might be just what you need.

Shawn Darby, who owns the shop with Jon Boesche, has built a loyal following for service, sales, and most of all creating custom motorcycles. Taking the customer’s specifications and then adding extra touches, such as measuring the rider so the bike “fits,” is arguably what Darby does best.

“Shawn sets this business apart,” said Boesche. “He is the next wave of big time motorcycle people in the business on the builder side.”

Indeed, Darby seems poised to follow in the path of his friend Russell Mitchell who has built a national reputation for building custom cycles. Darby is a self-described “computer geek” who worked in technology support for 14 years. His background in customer service and passion for cycles makes the business an ideal fit for his skills and talents.

“I’ve found a lot of people in the business are unscrupulous and I can’t work that way,” said Darby. “All my years in tech support taught me that good customer service counts. People remember it.”

Indeed, Darby is one of the few dealers in the area that works on any kind of motorcycle. The shop sells bikes on consignment, too, and Darby has plenty of knowledge on all the different models.

But many customers have come to believe custom cycles are for them. It just makes sense on many levels, Darby said. He recently customized a stock Harley-Davidson for a Grateful Dead fan complete with Dead themed paint and wheels. Another time, he took a stock cycle and customized it so fully that the only original piece was the motor.

“A lot of people will go in and spend $20,000 on a new bike, when they could spend $10,000 or $15,000 [to customize] their bikes.”

Customers love the opportunity to create bikes in the exact image and motif they desire, he said.

“I don’t want to have to go out and find which is my bike,” said Darby. “I want to know which my bike is because there’s a crowd staring at it because it looks so good.”

At a glance

The Shop at North Point

2819 Suite N North Point Blvd.

Dundalk

410-285-7433

Comments from Examiner Readers

12:41 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008 re: "Vintage Triumphs roll on"

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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10:15 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 25, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"

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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3:41 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 2, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"

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

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3:35 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 2, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"

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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10:36 PM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"

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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7:03 PM MST on Fri., Feb. 22, 2008 re: "Tidewater Yacht Service: A port in the storm"

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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9:16 PM MST on Tue., Nov. 27, 2007 re: "Dealer ensures cycles 'fit' the customers"

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

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