Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - July 2008 - (Page 31) SPECIAL FEATURE STORIES BIKER OF THE MONTH ? only transportation “We’d go out shopping and come back carrying three of four bags of groceries,” he said. But this was nothing in comparison to the birth of his first son. “I took her to the hospital,” Doug said of the unconventional maternity transport via his RD 400. “I was going up and down the curbing because the traffic was backed up.” Everything seemed to have worked out just fine, though, as Doug and his wife will soon celebrate their 28th anniversary and now have six children, the youngest just 10. Like a lot of guys, Doug later sold his motorcycle and spent a lot of time without one. But now he’s back in the wind on his Yamaha V-Star and he just recently joined the Essex Motorcycle Club, a “family oriented” group he said is made up of great people. Doug is shown between John Schoff and Rodney McDaniel. All three are avid motorcyclists, More Great People members of the Essex Motorcycle Club, and House of Balance employees. Dick was highly appreciative of Doug and his bikes the perfect fit for the average rider. His first staff, a group he said makes it possible for House ride? “An old Vespa scooter,” he said. of Balance to continue to provide quality service As far as restoring vintage motorcycles, Dick at a reasonable price. For example, House of advised it’s important to do business with a good Balance only charges $150 plus shipping to machine shop and to read about the restoration balance a vintage Triumph twin crank assembly, process as much as possible. “You’ve got to get a lot of bang for the buck. Perhaps the reasonable up to speed,” he said of learning about expense is rooted in Dick’s business philosophy. motorcycle restorations. However, he also “Never worry about money,” Dick said. wanted people interested in restoring their first “Worry about the customer and the job.” bike to know that they shouldn’t be afraid to tackle a motorcycle restoration because the job is well within the capabilities of most people. Dick encourages anyone with a question about engine balancing to give him a call at 410-379-8330. While he spends a great deal of time on the road, he said he’s always happy to lend his expertise when he can. Doug “I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 12,” Doug said of his introduction to twowheeled transport. He fondly remembered one he had at 13, a Honda CB 350. “Oh man,” he said. “I thought I was king.” But the king lived a humble life right after he was first married. An RD 400 Yamaha was his This modern Triumph crank is being balanced for a race bike to be built by Bonneville Performance, a regular House of Balance customer. I WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® WALNECKS.COM I JULY 2008 31 http://WALNECKS.COM
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