North County Motorcycle
Center.......
June 2000
When looking for a reputable business, longevity says everything.
If a business has been around for more than two decades, then
they are doing something right. North County Motorcycle Center
is one of those businesses that has lasted the test of time. It
has been in the same location since 1972.
After 17 years of working for NCMC, Scott Brown bought the business
from former owners Wes and Marie Parker in 1997. The Parkers told
Brown that when the time came that they would talk to him about
buying the business and give him first opportunity. They did and
he bought it.
"I was working here when the Browns bought the business,"
said Brown. "They retained me as manager and I worked for
them for 16 years. It has been a golden opportunity and a real
challenge in owning the business. There are some good days and
some bad days. But it's neat because you are working at something
you really enjoy. I'm not about to get rich, but you are richer
than someone who makes a million dollars and hates his job."
NCMC is a salvage shop specializing in vintage, classic and Japanese
motorcycles. They carry used motorcycles, used parts, new parts
and accessories. In the nearly 10,000 square feet of space, Brown
has thousands of parts on the shelf and if it's not on the shelf
he might have to pull it off one of the many salvage cycles he
has.
They are connected to a nationwide hotline so they can locate
parts if they don't have them on site. It is a computerized system
that has a dedicated line and a closed system. There are about
180 member salvage shops on the hotline. If one of those shops
has the part they can quote on it and have it shipped to NCMC
for the customer. NCMC uses the hotline system and the Internet
in locating parts.
NCMC does minor repairs, such as replacement of chains, sprockets
and tires. They also buys bikes.
"If you find something in the back of your garage, come see
me," Brown said. "I just love that stuff. You never
know when someone is going to bring in some cool old bike that
has been in their garage for 30 years. I have found a few that
way. People bring them in and we get them running after sitting
for so long. It's like resurrecting the dead. There is major satisfaction
in that."
Brown has been riding motorcycles since 1966. He did a little
bit of motocross in high school and a little bit of road racing.
He loves going to Ocotillo Wells and Glamis and has a personal
collection of over 25 motorcycles with everything from vintage
and classic street, vintage motocross, to modern street and dirt
bikes.
"It's been a lifelong affliction," said Brown. "I'm
pretty caught up in it and enjoy working on them. I've never been
without a bike since I got my first one in 1968. I am currently
a member of the Southwest Vintage Racing Group and I try to accumulate
a lot of vintage stuff. I go out to the various races and we give
discounts to SVRG members."
North County Motorcycle Center is at 2305 Vineyard Avenue in Escondido;
760-746-7467, email [email protected]. Hours are 9a.m.-6p.m.
from Tuesday-Friday and 9a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday; closed Sunday
and Monday.
This page last updated 6 September 2000