Biography of Northcoast Thunderbikes
Thunderbikes started out more than 25 years ago in the mind of Arlie Becker.
As a young man Arlie loved motorcycles. During his informative school years he spent many hours tinkering on cars and motorcycles - not because he had to but because he loved all things mechanical. An opportunity came along that sent Arlie to school in California to become a factory trained Honda mechanic. His love for learning and wrenching continued strong. Arlie worked at several Seattle-area motorcycle shops, including Seattle Harley Davidson (which is where, in 1979, he met his future bride, Kristine).
In 1981 Arlie went to Milwaukee to become a factory trained Harley mechanic.
Arlie went on working in the motorcycle industry and in 1983 a great opportunity came along for Arlie to go to Arizona and teach at the famed Motorcycle Mechanics Institute.
Also that year, Arlie and Kristine were married. Soon after another great opportunity came along and Arlie found himself back in Washington and teaching at Renton Vocational College. On the side Arlie continued doing custom and high-performance work for friends. When the teaching job was discontinued Arlie decided to go full-time with the bike shop.
For several years the shop was located on the property where Arlie and Kris live. It was an easy commute for Arlie, but eventually he wanted more and the decision was made to move to Everett, Washington where the business would be closer to the customers.
In December of 1993 the Becker's took possession of Motorcycle Goodies, lock, stock and barrel. Got the good with the bad but decided to make a go of it and see what might happen.
Business blossomed. The shop was busy building custom bikes and the Becker's went racing. Winters came & went, cold and wet, but spring was always just around the corner.
In December of 1997, Northcoast Thunderbikes moved to its new location at 2715 Hewitt Avenue in Everett, just east of downtown, and located just off the Pacific Avenue Exit from Interstate 5. The new building has held many businesses in its lifetime, from one of the first grocery stores in the neighborhood to a restaurant and now a motorcycle shop.
The old lunch counter was still in the corner and looked like a perfect place for an espresso stand. Hot coffee drinks made to order!
Thunderbikes has two full-time HD mechanics on duty, Tuesday thru Friday, 9:30 to 6:00 pm. Saturday is "first come, first served" and scheduling time will vary depending on the available time and work-load. The shop does close at 5:00 on Saturdays only.
Northcoast Thunderbikes offers a full line of after-market parts and accessories for your Harley Davidson, including Custom Chrome and S&S. Although we do quite a bit of custom and high performance, our main focus is the daily rider. We carry points, plugs, ignitions and all the other stuff you need to get on the road. Give us a call or stop by and pick up any and all supplies you need.
Street or strip, we are the oldest & finest local source for fine performance in the Northwest. Give us a try. You won't be disappointed.
Thunderbikes is located at 2715 Hewitt Avenue in Everett, Washington, just west off the Pacific Avenue exit from I-5, at the corner of Hewitt Avenue and Cedar Street.
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