Tim Kelly

Tapping into the growing presence of motorcycling in downtown Chattanooga, Certified Powersports has opened in the former Lawrence-Doster Lincoln Mercury site selling and repairing used bikes.

"We're trying to be a Car Max for used bikes," said owner Tim Kelly. "It's a used-only store."

Mr. Kelly is teaming with Kenny Reynolds, who for years has run a custom paint and collision business for motorcycles. Mr. Reynolds has "a store within a store" at the 400 W. M.L. King Boulevard location, said Mr. Kelly.

"His name is worth a lot," he said.

Staff Photo by Gillian Bolsover Gregory "Chop" Whitehead works on the wiring on a Harley Davidson motorbike at Certified Powersports Tuesday. The shop, which celebrates its grand opening on June 27, sells repairs and sells used motorbikes.

Certified Powersports is leasing the approximately 25,000-square-foot site.

"It's perfect for selling vehicles," said Mr. Kelly about the location that is within a half mile of his auto dealership on Riverfront Parkway. "It's a good fit."

Mr. Kelly also owns Southern Honda Powersports, which is located off of Rossville Boulevard. But, he said, the idea behind the new business is to be unaffiliated.

"That guy buying a Harley-Davidson doesn't want to walk into a Honda store -- nothing against Honda," said Mr. Kelly. "There is a place in a very healthy metropolitan market for an agnostic bike store."

Mr. Reynolds said he was looking for a location to expand his business, and the timing was right for both he and Mr. Kelly.

"It puts us in a front-running position," Mr. Reynolds said, adding that downtown has accepted the motorcycle community.

Mr. Kelly said the Harley-Davidson store is on the other side of the city off Lee Highway.

"With our years of sponsoring Nightfall, we know how many motorcyclists like to come downtown and ride," he said.

Mr. Kelly declined to say how much he's investing into the business, but said the timing is right even in spite of the recession.

"The key to thriving in this environment is making lemonade out of lemons," he said.

The businessman said there are a lot of repossessed motorcycles which can be purchased for a cheap price.

He hoped sales could reach $10 million to $15 million the first year, but added it's hard to say because it's a new venture.