This post guest written by reader Michael K!
San Diego, California enjoys year-round motorcycling weather, is the home of a number of AMA Hall of Fame members, and a plethora of motorcycle shops including Trophy Motorcycles. Trophy is owned and operated by partners Isaac Heinrich and Tim Johnson and is definitely a Shop You Should Know (SYSK) if you like older motorcycles.
After many years of working for other motorcycle shops, Isaac and Tim opened Trophy Motorcycles in 2009, the depths of the recession, because they wanted to create “a place for old motorcycles in San Diego.” They thought that if they could make the business work in that economy their long-term odds were good, and then the right building became available, so they took the leap. Business has been good and they have since outgrown the original building and moved into a new location in the Point Loma neighborhood.
Trophy focuses on European brands, but welcomes Japanese brands as well. Service is the mainstay of the business with basic ‘diagnose and fix’ work and “make right” for bikes bought at auctions. They also do ground up restorations, and have even built a few ‘old bikes’ starting with nothing but a deposit check, and sourcing every part themselves. They always have some old bikes for sale, and they even have an Ariel Square Four on display in the office just for decor.
left to right Tim Johnson, 1967 Norton Atlas 750cc, Isaac Heinrich
Tim and Isaac both got their start when they were young and bought old bikes. Those bikes were rebuilt over and over, bikes in parts were bought and rebuilt repeatedly, and they now have personal garages with old and new Triumphs, Nortons and BSAs.
Trophy hosts a few Vintage Bike Nights and swap meets every year with ‘burgers, beverages, and camaraderie – visit their web site, sign up for their emails, and come by some time.