La Macchina Italiaina

[JimF]

I took a trip into Chicago today after hearing of a shop that sells old Italian motorcycles.

http://www.motoscrubs.com/La_Macchina_Italiana.htm

It did not dissapoint!

I was in heaven...

[DanM]

WOW!!!!!!

Nice collection. I like the black and silver MV.

[JimF]

Everything there is for sale, including the signs on the walls.

[gtrench]

Is there a phone number or email address available? I was just on their site and it seems to be still under construction. It looks like they've got some interesting Ducati pushrod bikes. I'd like to give them a call.
-Gabe

[JimF]

I got a business card from Marco:

847-691-5856

Chris gave me a flyer for a open house that has already occurred and it has a number on it of 224-935-2687. I would try Marco's number first though. Another open house is scheduled for a few weeks from now, with free Italian meats, cheese, bread, wine, beer and "smack talking."

The prices were a bit high but I have to respect that the business employs an agent in Italy, they have to locate and negotiate on the bikes to buy, tie up their money indefinitely in the bikes, transport them to the Italian port, fill a trans-oeceanic container with 20+ bikes, pay the trans-oceanic freight, manage the export customs and import customs, transport the bikes from the coast to Chicago, pay the rent on their substantial building space which is in a high-priced rental market, pay an in-house tech to perform anywhere from a little mechanical work to get a bike running or a full restoration and then all the crap that goes along with running a business... advertising, insurance, computers, phones, website, etc.

After all that they still need to make a profit.

Marco and Chris were gracious hosts, friendly, talkative, interactive. Just as interested in hearing all about the bikes you have as they were in telling you about the bikes they have for sale. It was NOT one of those 'don't touch the bikes' place, rather it was 'feel free to sit on anything you want' and 'you are welcome to drive any bike', etc.

I went there with a couple friends and Marco, the owner, out of the blue just handed each of us a large bottle of Lambrusco wine from his home town in Italy before we left without buying anything.

Jim

[Daniil]

Wow, what a neat place! Like-minded folks... Always a pleasure. And the owner sounds like a gentleman too, given his wine gesture. Dan

[amartina75]

I was watching this bike on ebay a little while ago, they had others for sale also. must be the same people, they say they have an office in Chicago , and send shipping containers there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Desmo-350-pantah-1983-CLASSIC-cafe-race-italian-motorcycle-run-fast-/171024709119?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&forcev4exp=true