CycleSpecialties.com sells BMW motorcycles, parts, and accessories in California.
Title
California BMW Parts and Motorcycle Dealer - Cycle Specialties BMW
Description
Cycle Specialties BMW is the result of one man’s love for motorcycles. It began back in the 1960s, when John Wienholz was just 14 and visiting his uncle in rural Nevada. During that trip, John rode a bike for the first time—a Honda 90—and a lifelong love of motorcycles was born. Back home in California, he started mowing lawns to save money for a bike of his own, a goal he reached a year later when he bought a 1965 Honda 160 for about $300. When the Honda needed a new clutch, John took it to Cycle Specialties, at that time a small shop located on 8th Street in Modesto. The $89.00 repair bill caused John to go out and buy his own motorcycle repair book, which he still has today.
Soon, friends were asking John to work on their bikes, and he took over his parents’ garage with repair work, going to Cycle Specialties for the parts he needed. Finally, Cycle Specialties owner Ralph Silvias asked 17-year-old John if he’d like to come to work for him. John said yes, and went to work for Ralph while he began his pre-engineering courses at Modesto Junior College. During his second year of college, while he was taking a particularly tough Calculus course, Ralph asked John if he would be interested in buying the business. John, faced with the choice between calculus or motorcycles, chose the latter. He took out a small bank loan and, in 1971, became the owner of Cycle Specialties.
John moved the shop to 301 Maze Blvd. in 1969, then into the larger space next door at 307 Maze in 1983. Initially, Cycle Specialties was a source for salvage parts, new and used accessories, service on all makes of bikes, and custom-built bikes. In 1990, Cycle Specialties became an authorized BMW dealer, and by about 2000, the decision was made to sell and service exclusively BMW motorcycles.
