Kawasaki Concours Forum
Marketplace => Industry Merchants => Topic started by: Damn Potholes on October 15, 2011, 10:44:59 AM
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What happens when you get layed off and don't want another job your going to hate? You start your own company doing something you really enjoy. If I'm out of line for posting this here just let me know. I'm going to be launching Advanced Sport Touring at the beginning of November. I have a dozen or so products I'm working on that should be out over time and I'm going to be selling some things I made over the summer as soon as I can get the website built. Right away you can expect to see a new design on the luggage rack for large touring cases and a system for getting the bike on the center stand for people like me that as a matter of physics can't be done. I know some of you will argue with me but it will really help out some people. I'm not going to rip off other people's ideas. I just want to make some cool parts that get the job done and look good at the same time. Over the next few month's I'll have some parts ready for testing and will be looking for some volunteers. If you guys can help, it would be great. More info to come.
Ryan
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The best businesses get started during hard times like these. Good Luck!!!
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Go for it and good fortune.
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Wish you all the best Ryan! :chugbeer:
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Bring on the farkley stuff :P
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Good luck with your business!
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Any tease of what's on the menu?
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I take one in black, a size L and a gallon.
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I can help you with the product/web photography if you're around Tampa for no cost (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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Dell, FedEx, and more all started in a recession. Go for it!
I've been helping people start businesses for 21 years. Let me know if you need help. I don't know where you are, but go to www.asbdc-us.org (http://www.asbdc-us.org) and search in your state. Those people are paid for by your tax dollars to help you do just this. Some programs are better than others. Ours in GA is one of the best, if I may say so myself. The one is FL (if that's where you are) is good, too. You've got a good Google person at the Tampa location. Met her at some training in January.
Plan your work, work your plan, but be flexible.
Good luck.
Ron
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It's not the right place but I'm tired and won't be ready to move it until tomorrow at some point. It's going to move under Industry Members... That is, when I feel rested enough to move it.
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It's not the right place but I'm tired and won't be ready to move it until tomorrow at some point. It's going to move under Industry Members... That is, when I feel rested enough to move it.
Tonight is for drinkin' anyway (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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Tonight is for drinkin' anyway (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Tru dat Steve... :chugbeer:
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good luck with the new company. let us know when u need product testers.
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Thanks for the support. I'm over in the frozen region, Waterford, Michigan. In the short run aside from the previously mentioned, I will hopefully have by the end of the year a new way to mount a gps...cheap, handle bar lowering brackets and if the planets align, some mid-sets with removable touring pegs. The last one is the big project but I think I have a firm grasp on it. I just need to beg, borrow or steal some better tools. Everything else will be in the coming year but the more I can get out before Christmas, the better.
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here is one idea that I'm sure you could make some money with: a tip over protection like the one Kawa sells in Europe, but that it costs less than a plane ticket there... ::)
No kidding, we are looking for it.
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here is one idea that I'm sure you could make some money with: a tip over protection like the one Kawa sells in Europe, but that it costs less than a plane ticket there... ::)
No kidding, we are looking for it.
I'm open to all ideas. Keep 'em coming and i'll put some time into it.
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I'm open to all ideas. Keep 'em coming and i'll put some time into it.
I want to mount my topbox over the passenger seat.
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Make all your parts in black, they'll sell faster... ;)
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I would buy bars that were one inch wider. They would slide in the stock mounts. Wedges make the angle perfect, but the bars become slightly closer together.
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Ryan,
Hopefully we'll see you at the MichCOG outings in the future w/ your wares!!!! ;D
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here is one idea that I'm sure you could make some money with: a tip over protection like the one Kawa sells in Europe, but that it costs less than a plane ticket there... ::)
No kidding, we are looking for it.
+10000000
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+10000000
That was fast.
+10000001
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I wish you the best!! if you need some testing done I ride year round here in California. Count me in if you need any help!!
Thanks for the support. I'm over in the frozen region, Waterford, Michigan. In the short run aside from the previously mentioned, I will hopefully have by the end of the year a new way to mount a gps...cheap, handle bar lowering brackets and if the planets align, some mid-sets with removable touring pegs. The last one is the big project but I think I have a firm grasp on it. I just need to beg, borrow or steal some better tools. Everything else will be in the coming year but the more I can get out before Christmas, the better.
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I want to mount my topbox over the passenger seat.
If you were to have your topbox mounted over the passenger seat, would this be a permanent option (can be unbolted but not "quick release") or something to be put on and taken off quickly? Would you expect to retain the stock luggage rack or have a matching luggage rack for the stock location? What type of box would you want to mount over the passenger seat? Any additional info would be great. Give me something to contemplate. Anyone else have an opinion?
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I've got an oem topbox that I don't use because I don't like it flying out back. For this reason I've never had need for an after market box either. I ride solo the vast majority of the time. A semi-permanant mount would be easier to design and build than a quick release I would think. Maybe a second Phils rack that wound attach to the passenger grab rails assuming they would carry the load. This would allow for the variety of boxes used by forum members. This would leave the rear rack in the stock location. The heavy load would be carried in a more optimal location over the axle as a passenger would. It should be only a few minutes work to mount or dismount the box and rack. Dismounted it would leave the bike in stock trim.
Hope this helps.
Gary
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Ryan, you looking at this? I'd buy immediately if you had something reasonably priced to look like what Top Block does. Their cost is pretty prohibitive.
here is one idea that I'm sure you could make some money with: a tip over protection like the one Kawa sells in Europe, but that it costs less than a plane ticket there... ::)
No kidding, we are looking for it.
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Ryan, you looking at this? I'd buy immediately if you had something reasonably priced to look like what Top Block does. Their cost is pretty prohibitive.
Yep. I moved this up the product development ladder. I can't commit to a time frame as of yet or a price till I get a prototype developed but I definitely see the possibility/profitability here. I have virtually no overhead and I'm working with some awesome Waterjet/CNC people so price should definitely be cheaper.
Right this minute, my goal is to get the website finished and functioning. I have someone working on this now so as soon as that's done I can really focus on the projects I want done this year. Right now I can only afford the free labor from my Dad (he's retired and wanted something to do anyways) so things are going slower than I'd like but I'm working on that as well.
I'm listening.
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Sounds good, thanks man!
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here is one idea that I'm sure you could make some money with: a tip over protection like the one Kawa sells in Europe, but that it costs less than a plane ticket there... ::)
No kidding, we are looking for it.
+2 or 3!!
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Update please!
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Delays, delays, delays. I've learned some very important lessons during this en devour. The majority of people are good and want to do what they are hired to do but some people are just "bad people." The guy that I hired to do my CAD work attempted to steal my designs. He first tried to patent them for himself and then tried to sell the designs to other companies. I went through a legal battle with him which had mixed results. He was ordered to cease and desist but he closed his office and took off to places unknown with my prototypes which makes it very difficult for the next CAD guy. We've managed to recreate them and my finished prototypes are just about done. Had to change my launch date for most products to January.
Then my website designer, a.k.a. my friend, told me he doesn't have time to work on it at all and bailed. I designed the website myself so if you see any bugs, just let me know. It was my first one. www.AdvancedSportTouring.com (http://www.AdvancedSportTouring.com)
I've also been working on several other products during this time frame.
I'm almost done with the passenger backrest which mounts to the luggage rack. It can even be used with a Givi E55 mounted.
Passenger drop brackets need a few more days in design.
A new way of mounting a ram ball completely separate from mounting on the risers are at the machine shop
I'm designing an economical tip-over protection right now. It shouldn't be too far out there.
Lots in the works right now. Everything is on the up-and-up these days now that I've found some quality people to work with. I'm still looking for someone with an '08-'09 non-ABS bike in the lower Michigan area to let me fit some parts. If you know someone, please let me know. I'd be happy to work out a deal with them.
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web page looks great so far.
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web page looks great so far.
+1 ..... yes it does
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Good luck, I am interested in seeing your tip over protection.
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Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear of the legal troubles. Character matters as my dad still says.
Keep us in the loop! And good luck!
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Delays, delays, delays. I've learned some very important lessons during this en devour. The majority of people are good and want to do what they are hired to do but some people are just "bad people." The guy that I hired to do my CAD work attempted to steal my designs. He first tried to patent them for himself and then tried to sell the designs to other companies. I went through a legal battle with him which had mixed results. He was ordered to cease and desist but he closed his office and took off to places unknown with my prototypes which makes it very difficult for the next CAD guy. We've managed to recreate them and my finished prototypes are just about done. Had to change my launch date for most products to January.
Then my website designer, a.k.a. my friend, told me he doesn't have time to work on it at all and bailed. I designed the website myself so if you see any bugs, just let me know. It was my first one. www.AdvancedSportTouring.com (http://www.AdvancedSportTouring.com)
I've also been working on several other products during this time frame.
I'm almost done with the passenger backrest which mounts to the luggage rack. It can even be used with a Givi E55 mounted.
Passenger drop brackets need a few more days in design.
A new way of mounting a ram ball completely separate from mounting on the risers are at the machine shop
I'm designing an economical tip-over protection right now. It shouldn't be too far out there.
Lots in the works right now. Everything is on the up-and-up these days now that I've found some quality people to work with. I'm still looking for someone with an '08-'09 non-ABS bike in the lower Michigan area to let me fit some parts. If you know someone, please let me know. I'd be happy to work out a deal with them.
I have an 08 non ABS and I'm near Grand Rapids. We may be able to work something out.
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Nice site. Looking forward to purchasing some future farkles. Good Luck.
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I just wanted to take a minute to express my praise of Ryan and Advanced Sport Touring. I re-visited his site after seeing an updated posting and thought I would check it out again and see what farkles he was carrying. As I browsed his inventory, I saw something that I needed and had not seen before. Nothing fancy, just very simple, but addressed a need. He has a wall bracket for your Givi or Kawi trunk so that when it isnt on the bike, you can hang it on the wall. They were cheap too, at $10.00 how can I go wrong ........ so I placed my order. I get the order confirmation email and then a day or two later I get the notice that it has shipped. But then I get an email that my $$ has been refunded....WTF?? Then Ryan sends me an email and says that he only had one left and cosmetically, it wasnt up to par. Nothing wrong with it, just had some marks and rough spots on it and he didnt feel it was up to his standards so he shipped it to me anyway and refunded my money. "This one is on me" was his statement. I just want to say that I truly appreciate this kind of businessman. Not just because I got it for free, but because even if a refund was on his mind, he could have waited to see if I said anything when it arrived. He could have also refunded me and not shipped it. But his way of dealing with it is just the kind of customer service/support that I have found from all the vendors here on this forum. Ryan, Gary, and Phil have all gone above and beyond when I have needed something after the sale and I would probably not have known about any of them without this forum. HUGE SHOUT OUT to the Industry Merchants on this board!
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Ryan is great. I bought a set of 2nd ,2 inch risers and they look brand new.
I really could not tell the imperfection in coating.
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Thanks for the support. I'm over in the frozen region, Waterford, Michigan. In the short run aside from the previously mentioned, I will hopefully have by the end of the year a new way to mount a gps...cheap, handle bar lowering brackets and if the planets align, some mid-sets with removable touring pegs. The last one is the big project but I think I have a firm grasp on it. I just need to beg, borrow or steal some better tools. Everything else will be in the coming year but the more I can get out before Christmas, the better.
DP,
Will all your stuff be for the C-14 or will there be any C-10 stuff ??
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DP,
Will all your stuff be for the C-14 or will there be any C-10 stuff ??
What's a C-10? ;) :stirpot:
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What's a C-10? ;) :stirpot:
Well...its a Chevy Truck! (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/iconhammer.gif)
This one is for sale....
(http://image.truckinweb.com/f/8117441/0710tr_01+1972_chevy_c10+large.jpg)
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Had a stepside K-10 which was misbadged as a C-10 cause it was a 4x4.
It was an awesome hill climber.
Too bad it was a Chevy, cause I'm a Ford man, but OMG was that truck fun.
However, if it was wet out, hope to god you didn't need to stop fast.
Drum brakes at all four corners.
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What's a C-10? ;) :stirpot:
Now, now, Jay....be nice. ;)
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Now, now, Jay....be nice. ;)
Sorry Sparky, my bad... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_smackbottom.gif)
All in good brutherly fun. ;) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/swiqe.gif) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/camp-fire-smiley.gif)