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FOCUS PSB FOCUS PSB V-twin www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • April 8, 2014 • 15 14 • April 8, 2014 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Beyond performance gains, ACCEL's Stealth SuperCoil has the added benefit of hiding spark plug wires, as seen in this before (above) and after photo. Seeking something better, 7th Gear Motorcycle Co. trio goes it alone BY DAVE MCMAHON EDITOR IN CHIEF It doesn't take much to see the success that the trio of thirtysomethings will likely experience as owner-operators at 7th Gear Motorcycle Co. The new parts, service and customization shop, under the direction of Justin Lowther, Paul Saminto and Don Stefanic, didn't take long to make its mark on local riders after its May 1, 2013, opening in Albany, Ore. "These guys are second to none in honest direct answers! If you have a question about parts they are Jonny on the spot to help you make the best choice." "This shop is awesome." "Honest and professional." "Just picked up my '08 FLHT, Wow, what a great job and so friendly, I will be back and recommend you to my friends!" And those are just the start of the plaudits on Facebook. Their debut trip to V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati, where they ran into an enterprising industry reporter on the show floor, didn't leave much time for tomfoolery on the side. "This has been a great day. Not many pictures yet because we're doing so many training seminars today," is how one of their Facebook posts reads. There's no doubt, these guys were not tak- ing a haphazard approach to opening their own business. "Our whole goal when we started this wasn't to dip our toe into the proverbial pool, where you see a lot of small shops open up and they never get past that small shop stage because they don't take the big plunge," the talkative Saminto said. "We've invested everything from our wives and kids into this business, and we're reaping the benefits. We're seeing it ramp up in ways that we dreamed of. We're excited about our growth prospects." That growth started weeks before the store opened, when Lowther reports that the store had a three-week backlog of service jobs. And the business never let up into riding season and beyond in the service department, which has eight lifts. "In the dead of winter, we had 20 bikes in our shop," he said. It's not like they stumbled upon success, however. They had earned outstanding reputa- tions at dealerships prior to going it alone. "We worked for various Harley-Davidson dealerships and have about combined 20 years or so between the three of us," Saminto said. "We worked together at a dealership and are chasing our dream together." Their most recent foray was at Latus Motors Harley-Davidson near Eugene, Ore., where a change in ownership didn't deter their earlier thoughts of opening their own shop. "We were all tied in and committed to working for the new ownership, but we had already been talking about 'Hey, this is what we have wanted to do for our whole lives.' When we met each other, we realized that Don brings a long time of experience with him; Justin brings experience and contacts, and I have been running parts and service depart- ments in retail for years. Each of us coming together were able to create a solid business. They wished us good luck." The 4,000 square-foot operation also includes well appointed PG&A departments and an equally impressive customer lounge. Among the brands carried at 7th Gear Motor- cycle Co. are: Biker's Choice, Drag Specialties, Dunlop, Icon, Küryakyn, K&N, Lucas Oil, Metzeler, Michelin, Progressive Suspension, River Road, Roland Sands Design, Speed and Strength, S&S Cycle and Tucker Rocky. Chasing their dream See 7th Gear, Page 18 Owner-operators of the newly formed 7th Gear Motorcycle Co., in Albany, Ore., made their debut trip to V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati: Justin Lowther, Paul Saminto and Don Stefanic. P12x19-PSB5-Focus.indd 15 3/27/14 11:10 AM