Business Spotlight: Rex's Custom Cycles

Rex Weldon has always had a passion for motorcycles. Weldon got his first Harley in 1980 and then decided to turn his hobby and passion into a business. He opened up shop in 1996. The former Carrollton resident then moved to Lilburn four years ago and opened up his custom cycle shop in January 2010.

Patch: What is the best aspect of owning Rex's Custom Cycles?

Rex: The people I meet and the customers and friends I have made over the years. Contrary to TV shows you're not going to get rich from this. You do it because you have to love motorcycles without a doubt and you deal with good people. That's a big aspect of what keeps me going. I still have over 100 customers that drive the 82 miles to deal with me from Carrollton. You make a lot of good friends and the biker community is really a big family, and anybody would tell you that that rides.

Patch: What is the most challenging aspect of owning a motorcycle store?

Rex: The challenge on the business side of things is the internet. Retail and the parts and accessories lines of things have been hit hard because now you can go online to buy. The problem with that is you don't have an actual person to talk to. People come in all of the time and say that they bought something off of the internet and they want to exchange it. As far as the actual bikes are concerned, you have to constantly keep up with the technology. Newer Harleys are all set up with computer modules, so you have to keep up with the machinery and scanners.

Patch: What makes Rex's Custom Cycles unique?

Rex: Well, we are a one-stop shop when it comes to Harley Davidson and custom-built choppers. We do retail, service, parts, tires and pretty much anything based on Harleys. But customer service is number one. I personally do most of the work. Like I tell my customers: If it's good I hope you go and spread the good word, and if you have a problem you come back and you speak to me. My name is on the sign. You won't come in tomorrow and and find a different person working behind the counter. I'm here six days a week.

Patch: What makes the Lilburn community special?

Rex: Lilburn has got a small-town atmosphere to it even though it is surrounded by big cities. I've lived here for the past four years and I'm close to everything.

Located at 391 Killian Hill Rd., Rex's Custom Cycles  is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.rexscustomcycles.com