I'm just a regular guy, doing what I love, and making a few dollars in the process. I've been repairing and building motors since 1976 and still love the "Rush" of hearing a motor start for the first time. The thought of all those parts that never met until I installed them. I call it "Giving Birth to a Motor". I was born in Miami in 1955. Raised in Hialeah, I graduated from Miami Springs High School in 1972. I was in the Marching Band and earned several "President's Physical Fitness Awards" (Signed by Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford) I rode a Triumph 650 Bonneville, Seriel # DU 36135, but bought a Harley-Davidson Panhead when I got out of school. In 1973 I went to work for "Miami Heavy Equipment" a Harley-Davidson "Chopper Shop" on US 1 and 37th Avenue. We were "Cutting Edge". We had a Chrome Shop in our Shop, and S&S sent us parts to "Test" for them because they knew we had a dyno to run the bikes on. We built 77 Cu In Sportsters than ran 11.20's. (A very respectable time in 1973) We also built bikes for the Allmand Brothers Band and I, PERSONALLY, built Dickie Betts motorcyle. It was a 1958 Panhead, Hydra-glide, Pearl White, with a foot shift. He had trouble reaching the ground with both feet. It was incredible to have the band drive down, in thier El-Camino, to pick these bikes up. I will never forget standing around, drinking beer, and bull shitting with the Allmand Brothers as thier "Live at Filmore East" album came out. I opened my shop in 1976, at the age of 21, as "R&R CYCLE" We specialized in Harley-Davidson custom bikes, but soon discovered that I could make more money rebuilding motors for cars. (Harley-Davidson's had not become a yuppie designer item at that time) We changed the name to "Certified Engine Exchange" in 1980. We advertised, in the Auto Trader, a complete rebuild for $450, less installation. Before long, people began to request that we rebuild thier "Marine" engines. We built inboard and I/O engines, but had to sub out the installation. By 1988 we were installing them ourselves. On January 18, 1989 we were robbed. They stole EVERYTHING I owned, without insurance. They took a Snap-On box with $50K worth of tools, 3 brand new motors, and misc. equipment. I just wanted to quit. I had nothing to start over with. I stumbled through life for the next several months. Then a friend of mine, who owned "Twin Power" a Harley-Davidson shop about 45 minutes South of Miami, told me that the shop next door to him was for rent. I rented it and was there until HURRICANE ANDREW in 1992. Business was great, but after Andrew the building was trashed. We recovered and got everything going again in 1994. In 1997, my wife had an opportunity to go to Disney and help open the Animal Kingdom. I was ready for a change and loved the idea of having more property. My house in Cutler Bay (I still have) was on a 75X100 lot. I moved everything to the Polk City address in 1999 and have been here ever since. Business could not be better. I LOVE it here. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU..... |
My name is Ron Dvorak |
I'm just a regular guy, doing what I love, and making a few dollars in the process. I've been repairing and building motors since 1976 and still love the "Rush" of hearing a motor start for the first time. The thought of all those parts that never met until I installed them. I call it "Giving Birth to a Motor". I was born in Miami in 1955. Raised in Hialeah, I graduated from Miami Springs High School in 1972. I was in the Marching Band and earned several "President's Physical Fitness Awards" (Signed by Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford) I rode a Triumph 650 Bonneville, Seriel # DU 36135, but bought a Harley-Davidson Panhead when I got out of school. In 1973 I went to work for "Miami Heavy Equipment" a Harley-Davidson "Chopper Shop" on US 1 and 37th Avenue. We were "Cutting Edge". We had a Chrome Shop in our Shop, and S&S sent us parts to "Test" for them because they knew we had a dyno to run the bikes on. We built 77 Cu In Sportsters than ran 11.20's. (A very respectable time in 1973) We also built bikes for the Allmand Brothers Band and I, PERSONALLY, built Dickie Betts motorcyle. It was a 1958 Panhead, Hydra-glide, Pearl White, with a foot shift. He had trouble reaching the ground with both feet. It was incredible to have the band drive down, in thier El-Camino, to pick these bikes up. I will never forget standing around, drinking beer, and bull shitting with the Allmand Brothers as thier "Live at Filmore East" album came out. I opened my shop in 1976, at the age of 21, as "R&R CYCLE" We specialized in Harley-Davidson custom bikes, but soon discovered that I could make more money rebuilding motors for cars. (Harley-Davidson's had not become a yuppie designer item at that time) We changed the name to "Certified Engine Exchange" in 1980. We advertised, in the Auto Trader, a complete rebuild for $450, less installation. Before long, people began to request that we rebuild thier "Marine" engines. We built inboard and I/O engines, but had to sub out the installation. By 1988 we were installing them ourselves. On January 18, 1989 we were robbed. They stole EVERYTHING I owned, without insurance. They took a Snap-On box with $50K worth of tools, 3 brand new motors, and misc. equipment. I just wanted to quit. I had nothing to start over with. I stumbled through life for the next several months. Then a friend of mine, who owned "Twin Power" a Harley-Davidson shop about 45 minutes South of Miami, told me that the shop next door to him was for rent. I rented it and was there until HURRICANE ANDREW in 1992. Business was great, but after Andrew the building was trashed. We recovered and got everything going again in 1994. In 1997, my wife had an opportunity to go to Disney and help open the Animal Kingdom. I was ready for a change and loved the idea of having more property. My house in Cutler Bay (I still have) was on a 75X100 lot. I moved everything to the Polk City address in 1999 and have been here ever since. Business could not be better. I LOVE it here. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU..... |
This picture of my daughter, Madison Rose, named "Wildflowers",was taken by me and placed 2nd in Florida Photo Contest 2004. Copywritten 2005. |
My son, "Chris", and daughter, "Madison Rose" 2002 |
My 1/4 Scale 300 Extra "Patty Wagstaff" with Moki 2.10 Motor |
A RARE Appearance on the Interstate. My 1995 Electra-Glide. I also have a 1973, that I bought when I worked at the Harley Shop in 1973, and a 1950 "Hand Banger" |
Lobster Anyone? |
Click for Larger Image: |
My Grandson, "Tyler" |
Now, age 9, witk her .243 (While we still have the Right to Bear Arms) |
Maddie stting in "Big Brother's" New Mirage. |
