THE SHOVEL SHOP was established in Austin, Texas, in the early part of the 21st century. When I first conceived the notion of opening a shop, I already had extensive experience with pre-Twinkie Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including decades as a Known Associate of Bud’s Motorcycle Shop in Austin, Texas, where I was mentored in all things Harley-Davidson (and more than a few things in life) by the legendary Buddy Reveile, R.I.P.
I had also accumulated, in my haphazard fashion, a massive library of moto literature — everything from service manuals and monographs on obscure marques to adventure yarns and outlaw memoirs — and a burgeoning collection of motorcycle art, including a number of limited edition prints, vintage photographs, trinkets and toys, Franklin Mint and Harley-Davidson motorcycle collectibles, and fine sculptures by artists like Skip Winn.
THE SHOVEL SHOP was originally conceived as a one-man shop specializing in maintenance and repair of older Harley-Davidsons, with an emphasis on Big Twins from the 1930s through the 1990s. Since I’d designed a number of popular t-shirts for the Motorcycle Rights Organization ABATE of Texas when I served as a state officer with that group, I also envisioned a line of Motorcycle Safety & Awareness and Shovel Shop t-shirts and other fun items.
Sadly, devastating disabilities after a 35′ fall at work made the physical part of that dream unrealistic, at best, so the Shovel Shop became a side gig; a thing to toy with when energy and inspiration collided.
HOWEVER….
I eventually decided that, disabled or no, I could still use this blog to good purpose, as a clearinghouse for information about older Harleys, history and how-tos on adapting motorcycles for use by riders with disabilities, a archive for old magazine and newspaper clippings (I have a ton of ’em!) and just about anything else that might be of interest to bikers.
I’ve also grown my vision to include the founding of MMMoMMA — My Miniature Museum of Modern Motorcycle Art — where I can curate exhibits of motorcycle arts like painting and photography. I’ve already begun hosting online exhibits, but it’s possible that an IRL experience may be in our future, featuring the visual arts, music and film, as well.
WATCH THIS SPACE for further developments.
The Shovel Shop 
I am mag from bud`s. We must have crossed paths in past. I have art stories etc. Let me know if you want to chat.
I absolutely remember you! You designed Bud’s logo, and painted the bikes on the shop wall. In fact, an old East Austin hand was asking after you a while back, but I couldn’t find the card I thought I had for you.
I am not a big social media person, the facebook link is not letting me
reply. I also sent an email to your hotmail account with a photograph.
My wife and I retired to Lake Buchanan. I have a lot of old material
about bikes, my art, etc. I had art in the early version of Iron Horse
and much later In The Wind. will send you a few more images.
If you are interested in more of this and other stuff bike related, I
would be anxious to speak with you at some point. Being retired and
having my own health issues I am home most of the time. Call me at
___________ sometime if you want. thanks for the reply.
I took the liberty of removing your phone number. Wasn’t sure you’d want that out where just anyone could see it, but I can put it back if you prefer.
I’d love to see your artwork, but if you posted something here it didn’t come through. I’m sending you an email with ‘Shovel Shop’ as the subject line. Maybe that will make corresponding easier.
This is a painting I did in school at TSTI in Waco in 1979. You should
recognize the old ad I took it from.
If you posted artwork I’m not seeing it. Maybe we can do better via email? I’m sending an email right now, with ‘Shovel Shop’ as the subject line.
This is really weird. I get an error from WordPress.com with every
reply. I have sent images to others without issue so don’t really get it.
I just went into my WP settings and made some changes that might correct the situation. I’m barely literate when it comes to computers, websites, et cetera, so I just have to kind of guess at stuff sometimes.
As for the email: I’ve been receiving notices of each of your posts on my personal Hotmail account, sent to me by WordPress. That’s the one I wrote you from. It didn’t even occur to me until just now to check the shop Hotmail account, but when I did I found this photo of Bud’s shop.
However, at my shop account, there are only two messages from you – your initial note with that photo attached and one you sent at 8:51 this evening. If you sent other photos to that address, I am not receiving them. I dunno what the deal is.
I’ll keep poking around and let you know what I find. Meanwhile, try responding directly to the email I sent you.
Thanks for your patience.
Not having much luck with WordPress. I tried sending email to your
hotmail account. Let me know if you get anything, just trying to send
text for now.
It took me all day to write it, but I just this moment shot you an email. See if you can attach an image to it. Meanwhile, I’m going to check and make sure my WordPress settings aren’t causing the problem.
who wrote the easyriders history article dated jan 2025?___jj solari
That would be me.
NW Hills Texaco, eh? You must’ve left right before I started working there. That would’ve been around 1981 or 82. Dave’s dad probably still owned it, and I believe he bought it when his dad retired. That place is now gone, and a credit union branch replaced it. It’s as if it never existed, very weird seeing it gone.
I believe Dave has passed away, not sure about any of the others I knew at the time.
I originally worked for Gil at his station on 35 at Oltorf. Then I worked for Dave. I was there when he tried to rip his fingers off jacking with the timing chain on that little sport car he drove.
I recently did a search for Dave and found out he’d passed.
The only others I recall are Buddy, an older guy who worked the pumps with me; a fellow I want to call ‘Cliff’ who was a hotrodder into nitrous kits and such; and Robert Dickson (?) who later went to work at Woods Honda, the motorcycle dealership on 35 north of Braker.
I just amazed myself, remembering all that! 😏