Not a BMW shop anymore,but "Tote" has been in Peoria area for over 45 years.Gets credit for bringing dirt track racing to Illinois and the return of the Springfield mile.Guess i wil have to find another place to hang out on sat mornings..Ed
Not a BMW shop anymore,but "Tote" has been in Peoria area for over 45 years.Gets credit for bringing dirt track racing to Illinois and the return of the Springfield mile.Guess i wil have to find another place to hang out on sat mornings..Ed
Ed Baker
Dang, that is a long time in business, and my house is a bit of a drive.
Sorry Ed.
19 BMWMOA Nationals under my belt, and I have no idea what I am doing.
Thanks Roy,maybe i can go to Macs' place.
Ed Baker
Really?
Details Please? Why closing? As you said, been around forever...what happened? A good shop that will be missed.
Chuck Manley #12106
2012 Howlin' at the Moon Rally Chair
Ambassador, Knights of the Roundel #333, IBA Member, Life Member NRA
Red '09 R12GSA, Black '02 K12RS
Wow didnt know that. My buddy has bought a few from them and been pretty happy
http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=269122Originally Posted by chasman
Apparently like many long term family businesses they survive as long as their is someone in the family to run it or buy it and carry on.
Pass the mustard and UP THE REVOLUTION!
Sherry has been in charge for a while,Tote has had health issues and pretty much keeps in the background.If they have an auction,it will be a good one.Lots of old bikes,etc-he even has a pink caddy in the warehouse.Sure will miss the place.Ed
Ed Baker
Latest news is a possible deal with another multi-brand dealer taking over the shop.May know more soon,but BMW won't be in the line.
Ed Baker
That's too bad, would be nice to have an alternative to champaign.
Not too far from Lexington to Countryside BMW.Nice bunch of folks there and they know what they are doing.
Ed Baker
Heard this morning that World of Powersports in Decater il has bought Grayboy-taking over oct 1.Ed
Ed Baker
Noooooooo, I don't think so, Lucy!Thanks Roy,maybe i can go to Macs' place.
I'd heard that world of Powersports was interested..so that's good news. Now if they don't take away all the chairs from the side of the building where we old farts hang out on Saturday mornings, all will be well. BTW, I did near Gina's made a swoop on all the old BMW stuff Tote had in the back room. Ah well.
Mac
Mac
1986 R80RT, 2005 R1200GS
Livin' Large On The Lake
We are pushing for new chairs and an awning on the patio!!Most of the old bike stuff is gone,they have some old frames and a couple bikes without titles.Parts dept is looking kinda picked over too.
Ed Baker
As previously mentioned, Grayboy Motorsports of Peoria Heights, Illinois has been purchased by World of Powersports of Decatur, Illinois. Saturday, the World of Powersports guys bought Thunder Powersports of Washington, Illinois (KTM / Suzuki ) and reportedly made an offer on Cupi's Motorsports of Pekin. Their offer was reportedly declined. World of Powersports plans a Superstore (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, jetskis, quads, etc near the I-474/Rt. 150 interchange...reportedly.
Tote Gray's fifty-year accumulation of parts, memorabilia, old cycle magazines and bikes goes on the auction block Saturday morning at 9-AM in Peoria Heights. Some BMW parts from the
two times he was a BMW Dealer. I know there's a couple of Rickman fairings and a Vetter Phantom as well as about ten thousand other items....
Mac
Mac
1986 R80RT, 2005 R1200GS
Livin' Large On The Lake
See you there Mac,bring extra cash,i may need some.Ed
Ed Baker
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