California motorcycle builder sets up repair shop in Burton-On-Trent

BUSINESS is booming for Sam Ermolenko, who has started a motorcycle repair shop in Burton-On-Trent. 

Images from Rod Kirkpatrick from F Stop Press show Sam surrounded by motorcycle engines and parts, with a wood-burning stove centre-stage in his Burton workshop - like a modern-day blacksmith.

It all started for Sam at his family workshop in California at 13-years-old, working with bikes that are now becoming classics - these bikes are also the exact ones he works on at his shop.

Plying his trade on 2 stroke machines, classics, and anything on two wheels, the few reviews (all 5 star) on the shop's Google listing simply state ‘great service’, ‘top guy, knows bikes’, and ‘Sensible and measured advice, very satisfied’. Praise indeed!

Sam Ermolenko said:

“We have old-school skills and the machinery that gives us the ability to fix older generation bikes. Most bike shops won’t look at things over seven years old. The bikes I grew up with are now becoming classics. Most of the ones we work on are at least 30 years old.

“At 13-years-old I began working in my family’s motorcycle shop in California. I then went racing for 27 years. I had to acquire the machinery, tools and know-how to keep me at the top of my sport.

“We still use this machinery. We can actually fix things and keep older bikes on the road. We have modern Dyno testing equipment - we help to tune modern street and race bikes too.

“I love all engines but my favourite is always a winning one. I can feel how a motorcycle is set-up by riding it by the seat-of-my pants and I can hear how its engine is working by the sound of its roar.”

Next steps for this motorcycle builder? 

Sam plans on extending the building and taking on more specialist mechanics to deal with the surge in demand - and to keep older motorcycles on the road.

Definitely check out Sams Dyno Centre if you're in the area, need a repair (or advice on a repair), or fancy a chat. Might head over there myself!