Hamlin Cycles in Bethel CT, owned by my friend Jim Hamlin, has just gotten the Guzzi franchise.
Jim has been a fixture in the Connecticut motorcycle community for three decades, working at several dealerships. Jim encountered Moto Guzzi when he came to Branchville Motorsports (which closed in 2013), and bought a Norge. Over his years in the business, Jim has become known as the go-to guy for improving sport and sport-touring bikes to their optimum for speedy road riding. He was hired by Twisted Throttle to set up their in-house farkling shop, which he did before coming back to Connecticut to open his own place.
Hamlin Cycles opened as an independent shop this past Spring. After many months of red tape, they placed their first order for Guzzis this week and expect bikes on the floor by the end of the month. If the State grants their license change from used-only to new vehicle sales on schedule, they will even be able to sell the bikes when they arrive. Jim learned Tonti-frame and smallblock stuff at Branchville, and riding a Norge (aggressively) has led him to learn a lot about modern Guzzis.
Obviously I like this guy, and I like having a Guzzi dealer 20 minutes from my house. But I really do think that Hamlin is the kind of dealership Guzzi needs: Dedicated, enthusiast-run, connected to Guzzi for the long haul, and not afraid to take on serious customizing projects for customers.
Jim has been a fixture in the Connecticut motorcycle community for three decades, working at several dealerships. Jim encountered Moto Guzzi when he came to Branchville Motorsports (which closed in 2013), and bought a Norge. Over his years in the business, Jim has become known as the go-to guy for improving sport and sport-touring bikes to their optimum for speedy road riding. He was hired by Twisted Throttle to set up their in-house farkling shop, which he did before coming back to Connecticut to open his own place.
Hamlin Cycles opened as an independent shop this past Spring. After many months of red tape, they placed their first order for Guzzis this week and expect bikes on the floor by the end of the month. If the State grants their license change from used-only to new vehicle sales on schedule, they will even be able to sell the bikes when they arrive. Jim learned Tonti-frame and smallblock stuff at Branchville, and riding a Norge (aggressively) has led him to learn a lot about modern Guzzis.
Obviously I like this guy, and I like having a Guzzi dealer 20 minutes from my house. But I really do think that Hamlin is the kind of dealership Guzzi needs: Dedicated, enthusiast-run, connected to Guzzi for the long haul, and not afraid to take on serious customizing projects for customers.
