The story
What started as a hobby has turned into a job. And the great thing is, it still doesn’t feel like work.
My story
During the 2020 Christmas holidays, my wife and I drove to Leeuwarden so that I could register as a self-employed person. After working as a mechanic for years, I felt it was time to take a different direction. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like at the time. But this was the first step.
At first, I offered my services as a self-employed person to various companies, including those in the maritime sector, offshore and mechanical engineering. Hourly rates. A decent income, but it didn’t really set my heart racing. On the contrary — I was mainly looking forward to getting back home to tinker with my motorbikes in my own workshop. The Saturdays flew by… and before I knew it, it was Monday again.
Meanwhile, there was always a bit of business going on. I’d buy a motorbike, then sell another one. More out of passion than any real plan.
In early 2025, I came home after what felt like a long day’s work and decided things had to change. I stopped working as a self-employed contractor and switched entirely to dealing in motorbikes — and everything that goes with it. Maintenance, repairs and the sale of parts. With one clear focus: vintage motorbikes.
My love for them began even earlier. During my first motorbike holiday with friends, I was allowed to borrow an old police motorbike: an FLH with a foot clutch and manual gearbox. At first I thought: what a clunky, sluggish thing. But after a few days, I felt completely at one with it. The old-school engineering, the ritual of starting it up and the adventure of being on the road — that’s where my heart lies.
I’ve now fully kitted out my workshop with everything I need on a daily basis. I also have a shed that I’ve converted into a showroom. From there, I spend my days buying and selling vintage motorbikes, selling parts, and carrying out maintenance and repairs for customers.
What started as a hobby has grown into my job. And the great thing is: it still doesn’t feel like work.
Now every day feels like a Saturday.
My story
During the 2020 Christmas holidays, my wife and I drove to Leeuwarden so that I could register as a self-employed person. After working as a mechanic for years, I felt it was time to take a different direction. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like at the time. But this was the first step.
At first, I offered my services as a self-employed person to various companies, including those in the maritime sector, offshore and mechanical engineering. Hourly rates. A decent income, but it didn’t really set my heart racing. On the contrary — I was mainly looking forward to getting back home to tinker with my motorbikes in my own workshop. The Saturdays flew by… and before I knew it, it was Monday again.
Meanwhile, there was always a bit of business going on. I’d buy a motorbike, then sell another one. More out of passion than any real plan.
In early 2025, I came home after what felt like a long day’s work and decided things had to change. I stopped working as a self-employed contractor and switched entirely to dealing in motorbikes — and everything that goes with it. Maintenance, repairs and the sale of parts. With one clear focus: vintage motorbikes.
My love for them began even earlier. During my first motorbike holiday with friends, I was allowed to borrow an old police motorbike: an FLH with a foot clutch and manual gearbox. At first I thought: what a clunky, sluggish thing. But after a few days, I felt completely at one with it. The old-school engineering, the ritual of starting it up and the adventure of being on the road — that’s where my heart lies.
I’ve now fully kitted out my workshop with everything I need on a daily basis. I also have a shed that I’ve converted into a showroom. From there, I spend my days buying and selling vintage motorbikes, selling parts, and carrying out maintenance and repairs for customers.
What started as a hobby has grown into my job. And the great thing is: it still doesn’t feel like work.
Now every day feels like a Saturday.
Eddie’s Shovel made the cover of Bigtwin Magazine!
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