South Bay Customs

I was looking for a shop to tear down my 2000 Harley Sportster 1200c to the base gasket and check on one of my head studs.  I live in Long Beach and my wife was looking for a place that I could take it to on a Sunday.  I called up Mike and he said he would be able to do it.  I explained I had my own gaskets that I ordered and he didn't have a problem using them.  I dropped it off late in the afternoon and he told me I should expect a call in the middle of the week about the status.  I struck up a conversation about his old chevy truck, another passion of mine, and he seemed like a really cool guy.  In conversation, I shared that the bike was my form of sanity during the drive to and from work from Long Beach to Mid-City L.A.  I received a call from Mike Monday afternoon that the bike was done and ready to be picked up.  Everything was good to go.  I didn't even put the ramp in my truck since I thought it would be middle of the week before he got started on it.  Mike told me he finished it since I said it was how I remained sane on the drive to work.  Customer service and professionalism like this is hard to find these days.  He not only loaded the bike in the truck for me to strap it down, he also pointed out a few things he took notice of on my bike to look out for for future reference.  Not in a get this fixed and that fixed kind of way, but in a friend telling another friend, you might want to keep these things in mind.  I changed my rear tire as he suggested and went to San Diego to visit a friend in the hospital.  The bike runs like a champ, it seems louder, meaner and more in tune after he took care of the gaskets for me.  I know have a mechanic I know I can trust who will treat my bike as good as any he is building in his shop.  Give Mike a call next time you need work done on your bike, you will not be disappointed.

I been to many motorcycle shops and dealerships over the years and none compare to South Bay Customs. I've been bringing my Harley here since they opened and have had exceptional work done. The customer service is excellent. When you bring your bike to a dealership to they treat you like crap, never follow up on things, and sometimes leave your bike in worse shape then when you left it. Dealerships also hire mechanics straight out of tech school which is not as good as it sounds. To be a skilled mechanic in any kind of repair, you need years and years of experience. By taking your bike to a dealership you are paying MORE for service and repair. In the long run your bike might be handled by a tech who is not knowledgable and doesn't care about your bike. So, don't go to a Harley dealer unless you wanna buy $40 Harley T-Shirts. At South Bay Customs your bike is treated like it's one of their personal bikes. Most importantly they are HONEST and stand by all their work. This trait is non-existent in motorcycle shops at all these days. Forgot to mention it's the coolest motorcycle shop around. I would encourage anybody thats looking for motorcycle shop to check out South Bay Customs. You will not be disappointed and you will feel great knowing your bike is in good hands!

SBC is just one of those too-good-to-be-true places.  For one, it's a top-notch place for motorcycle repair, service, and parts.  Two, it's an open, friendly art gallery, lounge, and gathering place for rides or events.  Three, like one of the reviewers said below, Michael is friendly and honest.  He's personable and takes really good, meticulous care of his customers bikes, his equipment & tooling.  Four, he's expanding all the time.  I knew him before he had a lathe and mill, and more tools & capabilities are on the way.  Five?  Hank.