Amen to custom bikes

Builder targets County with $60K creations If you ask Paul Rector, Chief Operating Officer of Amen Custom Motorcycles why the name, he doesn’t hesitate with his answer, “Jesus is first in our life and he’s first in our business.” This philosophy may not be unusual in East Tennessee, but it is unusual for a custom motorcycle shop. Motorcycle riders and owners have taken a reputation of being low on morals, and Amen is setting out to change all of that. The bikes are built in Rogersville Tennessee and when they say custom, they mean custom. The company was the first to put spinner wheels on their bikes, they are also known for having the largest back tire in the business. “We talked with Avon tires in Thailand and they gave us a size that they wanted to make.” Says Rector. “So we built our bike around their tire. The bikes are all hand fabricated and the company makes each part from the frame to the wheels that grace these beautiful machines, and each bike comes with a name that is taken from the Bible. An example is the long and sleek “Savior” bike. Graced with a heavenly blue powder coat and chrome, lots of it, overlaid with a wisp of silver on the tank, the bike speaks of heaven. The bikes are priced according to how much custom you want, from one of a kind bikes to a replica of The Savior can be made for you. The company has gained national attention with a bike that was built for Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neill. We are going to participate in a bike build off also,” adds Rector. “We will compete against a competitor and then take the bike to Little Sturgis Kentucky and let the fans vote for a peoples choice. Discovery Channel will film the whole process from start to finish.” When Amen opened in Sevierville in the Pioneer Center on State Road 66, the question may have come up, why? “We associate with the rod builders.” Said Rector. “We have been trying to get a retail location for quite some time, and Sevierville seemed like the best place to bring the bikes.” If your taste tends to go for the truly radical custom, Amen is the builder for you, with some of the bikes going to over ten feet long, they look as unusual as their names. If you want more information on the Amen experience, you can call them at 865-428-4848, Tuesday through Saturday.