“Custom bike shop rolls out economical chopper” |
| Custom bike shop rolls out economical chopper Posted: 13 Jan 2011 09:43 PM PST Borderline Customs & Motorcycle Accessories, in a strangely ironic twist, might not have come into being but for a devastating motorcycle accident. Best friends Beto Garza, a former pharmacy owner, and Agustin Mata, a former welder for Keppel AmFELS, had dreamed of opening a custom bike shop together. But in September 2007, Garza was struck by a car while riding his high-performance Suzuki, and came down on his head. Left for dead after the early morning hit-and-run, Garza, who was wearing a helmet, has been paralyzed from the neck down ever since. It was shocking, but for Mata, also a motivating factor. "Everything gets in perspective," he says. "Life doesn't last forever. I took the plunge and started up the shop. It was slow the first year, and gradually we just started picking up." Borderline Customs offers a full range of customization options for any type of motorcycle. Since November, the shop has been a franchise-dealer for Johnny Pag Motorcycles, based in Orange County, Calif. JPM's products differ from other full-size custom brands by virtue of a smaller, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled 300cc engine, which makes for a gas-sipping ride that will still carry a rider at highway speeds. The builder claims 65 miles per gallon on its 300cc. Another big difference is the price: under $5,000, which is saying a lot in a market where new custom bikes typically start at $20,000 and up. JPM models include the Spyder chopper, the Pro Street and Raptor X cruisers, and the Barhog, a "bobber" style that evokes the stripped-down look of the 1940s and 1950s. During business hours the shop keeps a black Barhog out front in view of passing traffic, as well as a head-turning, limited-edition, Ferrari Red Spyder. Borderline has sold two JPM bikes to date, and they've made for good advertising, Garza says. JMP is adding to its line a more muscular, V-Twin chopper for just under $12,000, and it too will be available through Borderline Customs — the only JPM dealer in South Texas, he says. For Garza, who gets around in a motorized wheelchair, the shop is his home away from home. "This is where I come and hang out and help him out with whatever I can," he says. "It's what you do with what's left of your life. I could have easily stayed home and bitched. If it weren't for him I'd probably still be in bed. He pushed me a lot to get up and help him here at the shop. That's what I've been doing ever since." Though he can no longer ride, Garza still enjoys being around motorcycles and chatting with customers. "It's passion, I guess," he says. Mata says he's often asked if it feels strange to be in the motorcycle business in light of his friend's experience. "He doesn't have any hate toward the motorcycle," he says. "It was somebody else's negligence that he had the accident. But I see it in his eyes: When I bring in bikes, he's happy to see them." —Borderline Customs & Motorcycle Accessories —2710 International Boulevard —10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed Sunday —543-4809, 640-7953 —www.borderlinecustoms.com —www.johnnypag.com This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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