Commonwealth Motorcycles of Louisville, KY has been working hard to make changes since the initial purchase of the business in 2003. Commonwealth began as a Ducati/Suzuki dealer and recently added Triumph, KTM and Genuine Scooters to the lineup. In addition, Commonwealth has been remodeling and expanding a downtown Louisville property at 625 E. Jefferson Street Louisville, KY 40202. The “new” Commonwealth Motorcycles will be both the “corner bike shop hangout” its customers have known and loved at the Baxter location, and a premier motorcycle dealership, dynamically representing Ducati, Triumph, KTM, Suzuki and Genuine.

Soon the new 15,000 square foot facility will open. It will offer a beautiful two level motorcycle showroom including brand specific apparel and accessories designed to please road-going, trail-riding and racetrack markets. To top that off, the new facility will include an all new Service Center. The Center will include OEM and performance parts and will also have an on-site fabrication area.

Here are some images of the ongoing renovation. The interior of the former photo processing facility is being completely gutted and remodeled.

This is the main staircase to the second level which will house Ducati, KTM and Triumph. The concrete floor was cut to allow this opening and the stair frame and railing were just electrostatically painted red and the treads poured concrete which will be stained.

The warehouse in the rear is a new addition and is almost complete. It will house the new motorcycles stacked on pallet racking as well as a protected area for customer bike storage.

Interior view of the warehouse.

Sales offices on either side of the parts counter. This is the main level where Suzuki and Genuine will be.

Second level where Ducati, KTM and Triumph will be as well as sales offices, the internet office, break room, restroom and upstairs storage area.

Service area. It is hard to take an image of this room due to size, but it is a very good sized service area. It connects directly to the warehouse on one side where new and customer bikes are stored and the parts room on the other side so the techs can get their parts quickly.

The outside still has a long way to go. There were no windows to begin with so the front had to be cut up quite a bit. New curbing was just installed, next up is landscaping, painting the rest of the outside red, paving the parking lot, etc…

Keep your eye on this thread for new images as the renovation continues. A Grand Opening Gala is planned for December 2007. You can also check out the photo gallery for the building here.

In addition to the new facility, Commonwealth is pleased and excited to announce partnerships with www.desmoworks.com and Meyers Performance.

www.desmoworks.com, an online motorcycle parts and accessories vendor, is very excited to be teaming with Commonwealth Motorcycles. The new partnership will allow desmoworks to access a much larger line of products including all clothing, accessories and OEM parts for Ducati, Triumph, KTM, Suzuki, and Genuine Scooters.

“desmoworks would like to thank it’s customers for their support in its first year as an online business”, says Anthony Creek, the human behind the desmoworks virtual store. “Our customers have helped to make us even more successful than we could have imagined in just the first year of business and we looks forward to being able to supply even more great products and services through this new partnership with Commonwealth Motorcycles. Watch for the new expanded online catalog from us at our new online location, www.store.commoto.com in the near future.”

Meyers Performance, Inc. of Meredith, NH is a motorcycle technical services consulting firm started by Bruce Meyers, Ducati Hall of Fame tuner. Meyers will be managing technician training and developing new opportunities for the Service Center specifically related to performance upgrades and racing applications.

“People always ask me how retirement is but I’ve not really done that”, says Meyers. “Since I sold BCM, I’ve been doing a lot of consulting work, helping Ducati dealers and independent shops with training and technical advice. That’s what I’m doing here with my good friend, Ed Staloff, and Commonwealth. I’m also looking forward to making new friends in Louisville. My goal is to help build Commonwealth into the premier regional motorcycle service center. I also plan to work with the Commonwealth’s race team both locally and on a national program. And I love trail riding so watch out for me in the woods. At the same time, I’ll still be heading back to New England to help manage Fishtail Riding School, shameless plug here, www.fishtailridingschool.com. To quote my favorite Kentuckian, Nicky Hayden, ‘It’s all good!’ See you in Loo-ah-vul!”

For those customers who worry that the “new” Commonwealth will not be the same Baxter Street hangout, do not fear! Susie Leiper, Meyers Performance partner, will be working hard to continue the traditions of streetbike outings, track days and trail rides.

“I’m looking forward to being around great motorcycling customers again”, says Leiper. “That’s what I’ve missed since we sold BCM – all the passion and the camaraderie. I’ll be helping Commonwealth get their new facility squared away in the administrative and parts/accessory/inventory system side of things. And hopefully Ed will let me plan a few seminars and other fun customer events. I hear y’all like to party in Louisville! I also have a real passion for getting more eco-friendly in the motorsports industry so watch for some green ideas. And, I’ve had great experiences with women in motorcycling and hope to plan some special events including a Fishtail Riding School Ladies Sportbike Day at a track near Commonwealth.”