This is a bike shop with a difference
When you ask Christo Grove why he chose to make a living by custom painting or building up motorbikes, the sideways smile and twinkle in his eye say one thing - passion
POLOKWANE – Being in the business of customising motorcycles for 10 years, Grove says it all started when he and his brother were young with their own motorbikes. He has since never really had a “slow” day.
“I wanted to have a bike shop with a difference, the normal is not what I am about,” he says.
From a tender age, Grove had a love for painting and motorbikes, this kick started his passion for changing something into a custom masterpiece.
Grove is known in Polokwane for his top notch modifications on and restorations of bikes. He repairs accident damage on motorbikes and does aluminum and plastic welding. Handmade exhausts and custom builds make Grove one of the most sought-after custom designers in the city.
He has worked with biking clubs like Sapa Yopa, who speak very highly of the man who turned his hobby and passion into a living. His operating hours are from 07:00 in the morning usually to late at night.
He says this does not affect his marriage though, because he and his wife share the passion and they work side by side.
Grove says he does not believe in advertising his work, he sets store by word of mouth advertising.
“My work is my advertisement. If people like what you do they will come back for more and bring a few friends,” he laughs.
This holds true as the name of his shop, Grove Customs, is popular among bikers from as far away as Swaziland and Botswana for their customising work.
“You come to me with an idea and we start brainstorming and, before you know it, a two-wheel monster has been built out of nothing, or we have a customised wonder standing out in the crowd,” he says.
One of the jobs he is most proud of is a three-wheel motorcycle he recently modified for a client in Louis Trichardt.
With customisation work done by Grove, the President of the Sapa Yopa Motorcycle Club, Sarel Nong, recently won a prize for the loudest cruiser in rallies around South Africa.
“My motto is to make something that will stand out from all the rest. I believe in hard work and that is the message I would like to give to young people who would like to make a living from customising motorbikes or cars. It is a lot of hard work, but it is worth every drop of sweat and every late night spent on it,” Grove concludes.
