san francisco scooter centre

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The following appeared in the January 2008 UrbanMoto motorcycle paper: (and probably tells the story better than we could)

The storefront on 10th Street in Soma doesn't look that remarkable, at first glance, though there's plentiful scooter/motorcycle parking right out front. When you step in, you realize that while the shop is narrow, it goes all the way through to 11th Street (technically it goes to Grace Street -- ed.), encompassing 3500 square feet. Two thirds of the first floor is devoted to service and repairs, and upstairs are offices and the "museum", where more than 30 vintage Lambrettas are on display (possibly for sale, for the right price).

The man who owns, runs and is San Francisco Scooter Centre is Barry Gwin, part salesman, part service manager, part "scooter historian" and part every scooterist's pal. One of the reviews on Yelp.com (where SFSC is the highest-rated scooter shop) says he's "a scooterist's scooterist, and he runs a scooterist's shop." He seems to know everyone in the local scooter scene; many of the San Francisco Scooter Girls have his number programmed into their cell phone, in case of flat tires, running out of gas, or other crises.

Twenty-five years in the business - and he's only 40! Barry's been fixing scooters since 1983, when he was still in high school, doing the repairs out of his parents' garage in Lagunitas. When he graduated in 1985, he owned more than 40 scooters. He tells the story of trading a skateboard for his first scooter (a Lambretta Jet 200), remarking that back in 80s, you could buy a used scooter for a few hundred bucks. Because parts for these vintage Italian scoots were scare and mechanics were non-existent after the sale of two-strokes was banned in California, kids learned to work on their own bikes and developed an informal network of resources for parts, advice and labor. Courses in automotive mechanics at Redwood High School and Indian Valley College extended Barry's skills, and the opportunity to buy old Lambrettas and parts from a Monterey dealer who was liquidating allowed him to establish a mail order parts business, the beginning of his worldwide network of vintage scooter aficionados that continues today.

With two friends, Barry founded the racing-oriented Lucky Seven Scooter Club, which became well known for its professional racing techniques and lightening-fast bikes during the early days of the American Scooter Racing Association. The club and its successes on the track increased both his visibility and his business.

San Francisco Scooter Center first opened its doors in 1986, in the garage of an apartment building at Pierce and Fell. He admits it was as much a hangout as a repair shop, where they worked on scooters during the day and partied at night. The business moved to a warehouse in Washburn Alley from 1989-1993. While working at one of the largest motorcycle shops in California, Barry attended and graduated from Honda mechanics in Torrance, CA. Wanting to be his own boss, Barry re-opened SFSC in November 1998 in its current location. His wife and co-owner Deena (also a vintage scooter enthusiast), serves as office manager; he employs three experienced scooter mechanics and service sales/customer service people, all scooterists. The day we met he was proudly showing off a new computer system for sales and his service that had been installed just weeks before, saying he was finally moving into the next century.

SFSC, a haven for vintage and modern scooters

Though his preference for vintage scooters is clear, 80% of scooter purchases are modern, and Barry admits that new scooters are easier for newbies to start on. His motto is, "Better a new scooter than no scooter," and he sees modern scooters as simply the first step into the world of scootering. Wanting to assure his customers of trouble-free enjoyment, he is particular about the brands of scooters he sells and will not sell scooters made in Mainland China. Parked out front and lined up inside his showroom are modern Lambrettas (the old trademark with new design, now headquartered in Seattle and assembled with US with Italian-made parts), vintage-inspired Bajaj Cheetaks, TGB Scooters (made in Taiwan by suppliers of Vespa engines and CVT transmissions since 1978), an scooters from Chicago-based Genuine Scooter Company, including the Buddy, Blur, Black Cat and Rattler, all made in Taiwan. Because SFSC caters to an urban customer base, these scooters are all in the 50cc to 150cc range. As I parked, Barry glanced skeptically at Ingrid, my Burgman 400, who, truth to tell, looked a bit ungainly in the midst of these smaller, nimbler scoots.

Barry is particularly high on the Genuine Buddy 125 for its solid manufacture, reliability and moderate price. The Buddy, currently the "It" scooter, has a distinctly retro look and comes in an array of colors, including pink and chic Italia green. It's an all-around good choice for an urban moto, which may explain why, of the 1700 or so scooters he's sold in the last three years, about 700 of them have been Buddys.

A big believer in the importance of continuing customer service, Barry includes a year's roadside service, including towing, with every scooter he sells.

SFSC also sells used bikes, both vintage and modern, although they are always in short supply and do not remain in the showroom for long. If your tastes (and budget) are more refined, you might consider one of the nearly three dozen Lambrettas upstairs, displayed pristinely upstairs in the "museum." They range from 1950 to 1969, beginning with a rusty blue 1950 model C in totally original condition. Some of Barry's favorites are a trio of red 1951 D racers and a 1958 TV174 Ser 1. A lambretta Golden Special with the seat upholstered in Louis Vuitton's signature fleuron print caught my eye.

Dedicated gear for scooterists

The shop carries helmets, gloves and jackets, including Corazzo jackets designed specifically for urban riders. In addition, you'll find magazines and books, scooter accessories and an eclectic assortment of items having a scooter theme (how-about a scooter-riding Barbie?) If you want to customize your ride with a top case, basket, mirrors and other aftermarket accessories, Barry stocks a plentiful supply for instant gratification.

Service is where it begins...and continues

Barry firmly believes scooter shops should service what they sell, and SFSC services all the marques, plus Vespas, since his mechanics are Vespa-trained. He also believes in having parts in stock, which explains why most minor services and repairs - oil change, tune-up, tire repair, cable replacement - are completed in just one day. His mechanics can tackle any job, including full vintage restorations.

Barry and his mechanics are happy to share their knowledge and explain exactly what they are doing to a bike, and they encourage scooterists to learn to do basic maintenance themselves. SFSC recently sponsored a Saturday class in scooter maintenance for members of the San Francisco Scooter Girls.

If you are considering the purchase of a scooter from a private party, SFSC will inspect the bike before you buy, generally free of charge. Relying on a widespread network that includes Europe and every major scooter shop in the US, Barry can help you find specific scooters and parts that may not be readily available.

A "clubhouse" for the scooter community

Barry and SFSC generously support the rallies and events of local scooter clubs, often providing a meet-up for rides, such as the San Francisco Scooter Girls' rally in September. He also attended the Sunday rally lunch in Dolores Park and donated two scooters to the raffle. The shop serves as headquarters for the annual mid-August Kings Classic, a weekend-long rally and "family reunion" of vintage 300-400 riders and scooters from all over the country and the world.

Well-acquainted with members of the various local scooter clubs - there seems to be almost no one he doesn't know - he is a member of the Black Sheep Scooter Club, which he describes as "old school, mostly vintage" and exclusively men. However, he's no chauvinist, as the reviews on Yelp.com will attest. One woman from Boston says, "One of the things that I really appreciated about SFSC is that they are really women-friendly, ... they didn't patronize me just because I'm a girl. They also carry a lot more women's merchandise than the other shops I've been to."

Barry Gwin is clearly a man who loves his work, every day. If you're looking for professional expertise and personal service, from people who are passionate about scootering, San Francisco Scooter Centre is looking forward to meeting you.

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