Boston Biker takes a road trip to visit a custom bike shop where old-school values, kick ass designs, and customer satisfaction are lacking in many shops and ALL dealerships. Guess what? This place is right in your own back yard!
American British Cycles
Boston Biker's Webmaster, Larry Cahill, heard that there was a bike shop in Marlborough (MA) that was different from the run of the mill 'custom' bike shops that have sprung up over the past few years. It was time for another road trip to find out why they were different!
American-British Cycles isn't really "off the beaten path" but it is in an industrial area that is down a few side streets. It is definitely worth a trip! (take a look at the map at the end of this story).
As I walked into the shop there was a faint mist of smoke and I could smell burning metal. Ahhh, I felt like I was at home! Co-owners, John Mitton and Chris Senniville, greeted me and welcomed me in. The source of the smoke and melting steel was a Porsche that Chris was 'modifying' for an upcoming project. As I looked around the shop, there were many bikes in various stages of build and repair. More about the bikes in a minute...
First, a little about Chris and John. Chris was European auto mechanic for 15 years before he started riding, "All my friends rode, every time my friends came back from riding they asked me to fix their bikes. I knew nothing about the bikes." When he got his Panhead he decided that nobody was going to work on his bike. Over the years, Chris has worked with some of the top mechanics and engine builders and has now joined their ranks. "We have both worked for enough people to see how not to treat customers, how not to run a business! We opened our shop to do things right." said Chris Chris does all the engine builds, wiring, finish assembly
John grew up in Canada where if you wanted something special you had to make it yourself. John's fabrication skills have been honed by years of building motorcycles, hot-rods, and lead sleds. His fabrication skills are only out done by his eye for what looks right and will cause the whole project to just "flow". "We love all things mechanical, we are more gearheads than just bikers.", said John. John does the gear work, fabrication, most assembly assembly work. John said, "Our approach is to take no hostages, we don't want bikes hanging around any longer than we really have to have it here. We don't want the bikes to be sitting here, they get worked on and then the customer can get riding."
John and Chris have created a history of very high quality work while providing a good turn around. They build motors, we balance the cranks, line lap cases, build frames, straighten frames, stretch frames, rake frames, and fabricate custom parts. They do most of their our own machine work. They don't lace wheels. Not because they can't, but they don't have the time. They have an excellent guy to lace the wheels in any configuration you want. Additionally, they don't bore the engine cases or do the headwork (valve jobs) again, they have an excellent relationship with a machine shop that specializes in those tasks. They do inspect and examine everything that comes back in to make sure it is perfect. They can offer a better value to their customers by sending some work to specialty shops. They have a full machine shop here (milling machine, lathe, etc.) tire equipment, and media blasting cabinet.
If you are looking for a shop that will give you an honest hour hour work for every hour you get charged then check them out. "People come to the shop and put money down to order a part and we order the parts right away. We call them back two days later to say the parts are in. They are usually surprised that it is so quick." quipped John.
They don't care if it is a lucky old bucket of bolts or a brand new road king, all bikes get treated them the same. John said that anybody can make a bike run but not everyone can make them run right. Chris and John have the skills and knowledge to get your bike running perfectly. Stock bike, performance machine, or a classic ride... it will be perfect before leaving the shop!
When it comes to performance work - you might be able to buy a motor off the shelf but American British will build the custom motor to your specific riding style and requirements. They won't just stuff the biggest pistons and cam into the case, the right components depend on the type of riding you will be doing. They will take the time to find out how you ride and then build you a motor that won't quit. Speaking of performance... A good friend of theirs bought a Kosman Crossman drag chassis a few years ago and wanted to build a bike to ride on the street. Everyone laughed at him. John did all the sheetmetal work (look at the photos below), The bike sports a monster 103 inch motor, custom hub, and tons of custom frame work. Many shops will throw a wide tire kit on a bike and then try to do the alignment with a stack of spacers. They are surprised when everything comes apart under torque. John and Chris had a custom hub made that will stand up to full power, track true, and the wheel is perfectly centered in the frame.
If you are looking for a shop that will build you a custom bike this is a place to check out. If you want to find a shop where you are comfortable bringing your bike for repairs or extended warranty work... same answer! Check out this shop!
As we were getting ready to leave the shop John told us "We have a simple rule of conduct here, look me in the eye and shake my hand and we will never have a problem. We say what we mean and we do what we say. There won't be a surprise when you come to pick up your bike. We will keep you informed of every step of the way."
Here are a few photos we took while visiting the shop.....
(click on any of the images for a detailed view)
 The shop |
 Co-owners John & Chris |
 '66 BSA (gas tanks made from HD mufflers) |
 Another view of the '66 A customer has been working on it for 4 yrs. |
|
 Ducatti rebuild rescued from a wreck! |
 |
 This is going to be a STREET bike! |
 Gonna be a real handful! |
 John's Softail that he's slowly turning into a bagger |
 A Porsche that Chris is working on for a 'special' project! |
 The shop |
 Some of the shop equipment |
 Some of the machine equipment |
 The parts counter |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| More than just bikes.. Here is John's '60 Caddy. Wait till you see the 34 Ford project truck. |
|
 |
 |
American British Cycles
65 Lacombe Street #12
Marlborough, MA
(508) 303-9988
