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Motorcycles have been in Dave Richardson's blood ever since he purchased a Honda Trail 90 in 1968.
Now they're his business. He and his partner, Brent Prindle, have run Moto International Inc., a local Moto Guzzi dealership, since 1992.
Richardson, who once considered becoming a teacher, and Prindle, a former computer programmer for Microsoft Corp., have successfully turned their enthusiasm for Italian-made Moto Guzzi motorcycles into a thriving business that combines retail, mail-order parts, sales and repair - but not without some hard lessons along the way.
The dealership - initially founded by two other partners no longer involved - employs six people and is located at 7701 Aurora Ave. N. in Seattle, where six brand new Moto Guzzis are on display.
Richardson began to make a career out of motorcycles in 1983 while working with another famous Italian motorcycle brand, Ducati. Not long after, his interests shifted toward Moto Guzzi.
Initially, Richardson's Moto International provided maintenance for Moto Guzzis as well as other motorcycles. The shop also sold motorcycle parts and riding gear and helmets.
However, parts purchased from dealers of other makes and models cost the dealership more than parts for Moto Guzzis, Richardson said. As a result, the dealership lost money on repairs.
"We tried to be all things to all people," Richardson said. "The lesson we learned was, if...