Tricked Out Custom Cycles - Shop Talk With Steve Kehler

How long have you owned TOCC and what is it?
I started the corporation in 2000, but I have been building bikes for over 20 years. We are a full-service motorcycle shop that specializes in sportbikes.

How long do you think the custom-bike scene will be popular?
Sportbikes have been popular since the mid-'80s and have been growing ever since. They have really become mainstream in the last five years, though.

Has it reached its peak?
I don't think sportbikes have reached a peak, and I am not sure they will. There are just too many varieties of bikes and disciplines to choose from: customs, racing, stunting, etc.

What do you think the next trend in custom bikes is going to be?
I think the next thing we will be seeing a lot of will be fully customized, one-off sportbikes just using the engines from the original bikes.

Run us through a typical day for you...
My day is very busy. After getting my three kids off to school, I have my eight employees, 200 phone calls and 300 e-mails a day to deal with. After settling the online store sales and getting everyone going for the day, I try to get a few hours in the shop fabricating parts for builds we are working on. Then repeat that 365 times a year.

What is the best trick ever performed in a rental car?
Driving the car from the back seat.

What is the best $40 ever spent?
Getting my son a model of a sportbike at one of the shows I was at. He's four, and I wanted to get him interested in building bikes early.

What's the fastest you've been on two wheels, and what bike was it on?
I have gone 190 mph on my '99 'Busa.

What are you riding presently?
The bike I ride for fun is an '06 GSX-R1000.

Stock/240/300/360-what's your favorite size and why?
It's basically a draw. A 300 is the best all-around tire size. The look is great, and you can still enjoy riding the bike. Anything larger than 300, the worse the bike handles. But the 240 tire also looks good and rides almost the same as stock. But keep all of those 360 and larger tires coming out. I know size matters, but it's really about how you want to use the bike.

What would you do with the last gallon of gas on Earth?
I would have to put it in the tank and take either my wife or one of my kids out for a ride. Riding for me is as close as you can get to flying like Superman.

Person you most admire?
All of my customers because they are the reason I am here.

What's the achievement you're most proud of?
Building my Hayabusa quad.

What would have been your alternate career?
I was running auto dealerships for 15 years before I switched to just building bikes.

Have you ever skinned a rabbit for food?
Yes, I have, and a squirrel. They tasted like KFC!

You've got the choice of three magic powers: fly like a bird, read people's minds or invisibility. Which would you choose and why?
Invisibility-just think about it.

Who's your favorite rider and why?
Ricky Gadson. He's a legend in his own time and a great friend.

Hard alcohol, beer, shots or wine?
Beer, and beer only.

Contact Info
www.tocc.biz