Lighting up the night
WEEKI WACHEE –
Diane Pacheco doesn’t like to sit around. Unless she’s sitting on her 2008 Custom Can-Am Spyder motorcycle with a 990 Rotax motor. Its airbrushed Batman theme, chrome work and custom lighting make it a sight to see which, thanks to its new LED lighting system, is even easier after dark.
The roadster (three-wheeler bike) is one of two Can-am Spyders owned by Pacheco. The other is customized with spiders and says “Creative Cycle Works,” the name of her company.
The Weeki Wachee based motorcycle shop customizes, maintains and repairs bikes for customers in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The shop also sells quality pre-owned bikes. They recently began offering what they say is an increasingly popular accessory for motorcycle riders: custom LED lighting.
Although available in a large assortment of colors (currently ice blue, lava, blue, purple/UV, yellow, red, white, green, orange, teal and pink), motorcycle accent lighting isn’t just for show.
Visibility is a constant concern for motorcycle riders and motor vehicle operators. Creative Cycle Works says their flexible strips of LED lighting provide an additional measure of safety.
The light strips can be shaped to fit many areas on a bike. They attach to any 10-14 VDC system, are waterproof, and have a lifetime warranty against LED failure.
There are currently four different lighting sets available. Cost (including installation) ranges from the $199 basic set to the $349 set that includes a “magic remote.”
Details and photos are on their website or under “maintenance & repair shops” on riderrag.com.
With today’s high gas prices, the shop says it sees more people using motorcycles as primary or secondary transportation, and that there are also many women riders in Florida.
Pacheco opened Creative Cycle Works in 2006 with the support of her husband Al. Both are retired New England law enforcement officers. Al owned the original “Creative Cycle Works” in Wesport, Massachusetts, from 1999 to 2004.
When they retired to Florida they thought their business days were over. “But I just couldn’t sit still,” Diane explained. She decided to revive the motorcycle business.
Two years ago their son Ron and his girlfriend Becky relocated to Florida so Ron could help run the shop.
“We work on everything,” Diane stated. “Harleys, choppers, metric cruisers, rice rockets; we fix them all.” She said popular services are nitro tire fills and Dyna Bead tire balancing. They fully warranty all engine work.
“We’re extremely picky about the quality of our work and meeting our customers’ expectations,” added Diane. “We only use the highest quality parts and fluids. Our wheels all get chromed in California because that’s the best vendor – the chrome doesn’t pit or chip.”
The shop also offers emergency road service, and towing with closed trailers.
Although retired, Al still offers his business expertise, chats with customers, and keeps a watchful eye on the showroom.
General Manager Ron spends much time in the repair shop with Big Mike Fulvi and Jon Lawrence who are both MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) graduates, certified Harley-Davidson mechanics and metric technicians.
Frequent shop visitor Dan Eslinger of Dan’s Signs in Hudson does custom painting on the shop’s bikes, and also did all their signage.
Retail and Customer Service Manager Don Moore has been with the shop since it opened. He helped the business expand from a garage with a tiny showroom to its current large showroom and sales area.
Moore said he’s been “doing it all since they started,” adding although he no longer officially does repairs, “If they need me to wrench, I wrench.”
Stan Tornow assists Moore with parts sales and manages the showroom on Sundays. “We call the showroom ‘the candy store'” added Ron, “And if we don’t have it, we can get it.”
Besides helmets, T-shirts, standard riding gear and a myriad of motorcycle accessories, the showroom has something unique: Their own brand of chrome and glass cleaner, developed by a chemist and family friend in Wisconsin. A 32-ounce bottle is available in the shop for $12.99. “We have exclusive national distribution,” Al added.
Every Saturday the shop sponsors a Customer Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. which includes free hot dogs, soda, water and music (weather permitting).
Appreciating and supporting their community is a passion of the business. They’re currently co-sponsoring the first annual “Pillow Run” to benefit battered women’s shelters in Pasco and Hernando counties on Sunday, July 11 (call for details).
In the spring and fall they sponsor biker awareness events at the store that include vendors, food, games, free awareness T-shirts and raffles. A big event planned for Spring 2011 in conjunction with Born to Ride will include TV coverage. Watch for details on their website.
Last year they raised more than $5,000 to buy a special motorized wheelchair; in May they raised money for the widow of Jim Schlane, who used to vend at their awareness events.
“We get involved as much as we can,” said Diane. Future plans include fundraisers for troops overseas and for animals.
Creative Cycle Works also sponsors three local bike nights with M.C. “DJ Dave” Martini. A musical host for many local corporate events, weddings and functions, Martini also belongs to the “Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood,” a non profit dedicated to community service that frequently supports local bike nights.
These bike nights offer a chance for motorcycle enthusiasts to meet and enjoy music, games of skill, a bike wash, local vendors, food, fun, trophies and prizes:
Tuesday, 6-10 p.m., Mariner Lanes, 3544 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill 352-683-7576.
Wednesday, 6-10 p.m., Capone’s Billiard Lounge, 10463 County Line Rd., Spring Hill 352-688-9965.
Saturday, 7-10 p.m., Mermaid Lounge & Eatery, 4658 Commercial Way, Spring Hill 352-597-5884.
For more information contact Martini at 352-263-5517 or www.martinienterprises.net.
Creative Cycle Works is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the showroom is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They claim to be the only cycle shop in the area open on Sundays.
Jody Bowes writes regularly for Hernando Today. She lives in Spring Hill and can be contacted at [email protected].
