Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas and Dorothy Caudle.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My first taste of motorcycles was about thirty five years ago when I started riding, I instantly fell in love with the feeling of freedom from riding in the wind, I just had to get my own…….from there I rode a wide variety of bikes, everything from import sport bikes to homegrown Harley Davidson bikes.
I learned very quickly about the hassles and costs of sending my bike in for maintenance, so my friends and I started repairing our own bikes in the garage, learning as much as we could to save money for gas and upgrades. We borrowed and checked out books on motorcycle repair and taught ourselves how to fix and upgrade our bikes.
I also got into automobile custom painting and body work about twenty five years ago, learning the ins and outs of doing custom paint. I took that knowledge and applied it to motorcycles, where now I am able to do any number of custom work from paint to retro fitting to custom designed gear for the motorcycles.
About 12 yrs. ago I decided to travel around Asia and spent the next 10 years learning their ways of life and motorcycle repair as well as their style of painting, after that, I returned to Texas, working in my garage taking on overload work for other garages, I quickly out grew my garage and began to look for a space to open a shop and was introduced to a fellow who was looking to retire out of the motorcycle repair business.
We had a nice lunch, toured his shop, and after talking with him for a short while, both agreed that this shop would be a good fit for me and he would be able to retire.
My wife who also enjoys the motorcycle life as well as learning about motorcycles and I purchased High Energy Customs in March of this year and we have really enjoyed making this transition from having a garage business to a standalone now thriving motorcycle repair and custom business.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making the transition from a former custom garage turned service shop to as of March 1, 2017 to an all-around full motorcycle/motocross service shop. Including everything from a 50 cc pocket bike to full blown custom baggers and old school choppers coming in the very near future. It was a bit of a challenge to build our customer base but once we got the right players integrated into our now very tight nit family everything runs like a well-oiled machine.
Please tell us about High Energy Customs.
Ever since 1985 when Owner/ Operator Thomas Caudle started his steps towards a career in Custom Paint and Body work as well as machining parts to eventually running shops all over the world like in Okinawa, Japan building choppers. Just like his featured customized 2001 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200. Here at High Energy Customs we do everything from your basic oil change, to tires, and anything to get your bike back on the open road. We are also expanding into the custom side of things taking it back to the 70’s with our custom choppers. I don’t mean those overpriced fat tire things that people did I mean true red white and blue old school choppers like out of your grandfathers Easy Riders Magazines. Even the newer age Big Wheel baggers that have recently burst on to the scene with rapidly growing popularity. Our diverse team of technicians each bring a different style as well as knowledge into the shop. Being a locally owned and ran business makes the atmosphere feel more inviting.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was five, my father took me for my first motorcycle ride. I remember vividly sitting on the gas tank with the wind blowing in my face. Every time I toss my leg over my Harley it takes me back to the days when things where much simpler and you went to the local hardware store to chew the fat and drink some coffee with the neighbor behind the counter. That’s exactly what I want our shop to be like, a place for everyone around town feeling welcome with their kids.
Contact Info:
- Address: High Energy Customs
1901 TX-78 Wylie, TX, 75098 - Website: highenergycustoms.com
- Phone: 9724424300
- Email: highenergycustoms@yahoo.com
- Instagram: ChaosHigh_Energy_Customs
- Facebook: High Energy Customs
Image Credit:
Kathy Tran
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