If you remember your high school math an axiom is something universally regarded as true. About a year ago Mark Nemets, himself a rider for over 20 years, chucked the corporate world of computer and finance consulting to pursue his own universal truth, that working on motorcycles, with other motorcyclists, was a much more enjoyable way to earn to his daily bread.
His own first ride, back in the ‘80s, was an ironhead Sportster. Since cash was scarce back in the day, he used to buy bikes that needed work and developed his wrenching skills through trial and error and by asking for advice. “I found that motorcycle people were always willing to help, another reason motorcycling became part of my life. When I was just out of school, I went to work and managed to always have a bike and a hotrod car, Chevelles, Mustangs and Camaros. Since I didn’t have any money to afford mechanics, I learned to fix them in my carport. I eventually made enough money from consulting to open my own shop, a dream come true for me.” Mark laughs and adds,
Asked why he chose the name Axiom for his business, Mark explains, “When I thought about starting my business dealings with other people, one of the things very key to me was being honest with my customers, being right up front and giving them a fair shake. It seemed that everything was all about the buck, sacrificing your ethics and morals to get the job. And I won’t do that. Never have, and never will. And so…Axiom.”
The cozy 2000 sq. ft. shop located in Santa Ana, CA has an open door policy where you’ll be greeted by Mark and chief mechanic John Clayton. “We have a little office area up front, a couple desks and chairs, a refrigerator, a stereo, and in the work area our welders and work benches. Customers can walk in, sit down and we’ll talk bikes. Together we’ll figure out what direction they want to go. If they’re doing a custom we talk about what look they want, what kind of riding they do.”
”Say a guy comes in with his Harley and wants some pipes, a seat, whatever; we show him what we have and how we do it. If he just wants the parts and to learn to do it himself, we’ll show him. We offer full service, everything from adjusting a clutch to rebuilds of motor and transmissions and a wide selection of aftermarket products. We’ve got all the factory and custom parts, all the bling a custom customer might want including full ground up customs, tailored to the owner’s needs and specs.”
As far as motorcycle styles, Axiom’s inclined toward the Old School Bobbers. For example, Axiom offers a Santee Softail framed bobber motorcycle rolling chassis featuring springer forks, bars, wire wheels and tires with matching tank and fenders for $2999.95. In the shop you’ll also find stretched choppers and pavement blistering Pro Street customs.
“We also work on bikes for the ladies including lowering the bike through suspension, seat and handlebar modifications so they’re more comfortable. Basically, we like to build that dream motorcycle each person has in their heads,” Mark said. “We have pictures of hundreds of bikes for the customer to look through while they have a cup of coffee.”
Custom paint options are very personalized as well with four painters hooked up with the shop, again getting away from the mass production line and dealing on a one-to-one ratio. They are however keeping up with the new regulations for 2006 by producing an EPA, NADA and Kelly Blue Book compliant bikes while maintaining the ability to produce a custom tailored bike, all under the Axiom label. You can shop online from over 100,000 aftermarket products from over 100 suppliers with new goodies coming on board weekly, for example recently the complete line of Vance & Hines parts. They also offer a special price guarantee on H-D and custom parts and accessories. Find a lower price on anything over $100 and they’ll beat it by $10. Can’t beat that.
For quality service and customer friendly pricing, give Mark a call at 714-648-0900 or visit them personally at 610 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705 Mon-Sat 10-6 and Sunday by appointment or log on to www.axiomcycles.com.
Tell’em Bikernet sent you.
