1981 saw a recession and high interest rates. Several dealerships were closing or going bankrupt.  The owner of Tacoma Harley-Davidson, Gary Bethke,  closed the doors forever.  Then in 1983 Gary started American Motorcycle Service by making repairs, selling parts, and installing upgrades to bikes in a small shop behind his house. After a while he needed more room and opened up a repair shop and retail store on 24th street in downtown Tacoma.

Over the years American Motorcycle Service became known as the place to go for quality service, fair prices, hard to find repair parts, accessories, and upgrades. The store moved from its original location to a slightly larger store where it remained for just over 6 years.  When the opportunity came to expand back at the original location on 24th, the move was made once again and we've been there ever since.

In 2005 Gary decided it was time to retire and American Motorcycle Service was purchased by a group of people who saw a diamond in the rough. The name was shortened to American Motorcycles,  and the transformation begain. 

A nearly year-long remodel of the retail store, parts warehouse, and service department took place. We greatly expanded our parts and accessories inventory to better serve our customers.

The only thing that didn't change was our expert mechanical knowledge of motorcycles and our mechanical abilities. American Motorcycles can still boast that we have the best motorcycle mechanics in the northwest.

A new computer inventory and point of sale system was developed and installed, and the Web site launched to make shopping from home easier. We obtained our dealers and manufacturers licenses and began offering new and used motorcycles for sale. We aligned ourselves with Big Bear Choppers to offer their complete line of products. We became a Big Dog Motorcycles factory authorized service center.

With all the changes, expansion, and updating we have done, it all comes back to one thing: we are the best place to go for parts, accessories, sales, and service of Harley-Davidsons and American V-Twins.

We really are the dealership alternative and have been now for 25 years. Whatever it is you need for your ride, we can take care of it. With a vast inventory of repair parts and accessories, we assembled a team dedicated to excellent customer service, and we are here to serve you.

Gordon

Gordon wrenched for years on four wheeled "cages," and also has experience in business and facilities management as well as computer administration. His diverse knowledge of business makes him a good leader for our company. Gordon helps out wrenching in the shop when it gets busy and is our resident wiring guy for all the Big Bear builds. Gordon owned his first motorcycle at the age of 14. 

Tessie

MotoDoc

-  Service Technician

Chopper Don

With an impressive resume spanning over 22 years, Don is one of the best v-twin mechanics around.  He used to be the service manager at one of the larger dealerships around, but came to us to be closer to home, get away from the politics of a dealership, and focus solely on wrenching.  Don is Harley certified and definately knows his stuff.  Don has been riding for over 40 years.

Doug

Doug has been wrenching on and riding bikes for over 30 years.  He as worked in both independent shops and dealerships in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, and here in Washington.  He's been to MMI and is Harley certified. He spent the last several years at a local dealership where he was the go to guy for motor work and all the old bikes.  When several other techs have tried to fix the problem and the bike still came back for repair, Doug was the one they turned to.  He currently rides his 89 FXRP, but on nice days you may catch him on his 1948 Indian Chief.

Mark