Part 2 of 7: The coolest old school motorcycle shop around.
If you’re in the LBC and want to visit a cool, old school motorcycle shop, take the drive over the Vincent Thomas Bridge and get yourself to Century Motorcycles in San Pedro. It’s what a motorcycle shop should be: filled with vintage bikes, old photos and trophies, and a hint of oil in the air that makes you feel right at home. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the opportunity to meet Cindy Rutherford, the owner. If you’re really lucky she won’t run you down in her motorized baby buggy she pilots, and that has been rumored to do smoky burn outs all over 911’s up and down Pacific Ave. The shop has been passed down from her pop who started the shop in 1936. When we were at Century the day of the poker run, Cindy had us say “hi” to her dad whose ashes are right in the show room resting, appropriately enough, in a Vincent tank. We asked her to tell us a little about him and here’s one of the stories she shared:
“My Dad’s name was William Cotton, and during the depression he raced Harleys. He never lost a race. Later on, out of our sign business, he used to sell the motorcycles he won racing for pink slips. That’s how we got the money to open Century where it is located now. Boy, he would wax those guys every time! I got to hold the pink slips. After he would beat them up on “Vincent” Mountain (Rancho Palos Verdes starting at the reservoir) he would offer to let them win their motorcycle back for $100.00 in a drag race by the shop. He would tell those guys, “Now son, I am a pro, and pros don’t race for free. Give my daughter a $100.00 to hold and I’ll tell you what–you take a couple of laps with my Vincent Lightning and I will take the motorcycle I just won off of you and see if I can beat you again.” They fell for it every time, and he would beat them every time. Ever see a grown man cry? It isn’t always a pretty site. I might add that he wouldn’t let just anyone ride The Lightning, just the real qualified riders. He often said some of them couldn’t ride a stick horse. His Vincent Lightning is the 30th one made out of only 30 bikes.”
So, get over there, say “hi” to Bill, and spend some time with Cindy and her son, Tim. You’ll be glad you took the time.
chopperdiva
Cindy is the coolest!! Enjoyed meeting her and can’t wait to go back!
Chop
Cindy is the sweetest person alive! Cool shop!
Vince Lamarche
Her Dad is in the Gas Tank in the first pic. She has a really good story to with it too. The wall mount for it is a Suzuki Turbo Header.
April
Cindy is the loviest lady in San Pedro! You should defentially feature her in an issue of Garage Magazine! Congragulations Cindy!
All My Love,
April
Valerie
Cindy is the BEST!!!!!
Valerie
Girldawg is being such a good lady, content and all…checkin out the kool seen!
cindy rutherford dmn
I just hope everyone had as much fun as I did. You are all welcome to come to our annual Christmas Party on Dec 13th. at the shop. It is free and we feed you too….It is folks like yall that keeps a girl young.
cindy rutherford dmn
Hey if you all liked my action at The No Love Ride you will love my new movie.”Harbortown Bobber” it should be up for sale in a week or two..I am scandolous telling you but a girl’s got to make a living. Times are so bad that I am telling these working girls to get their $1.00 ass off of My $5.00 corner. hee hee
Phil
I have known Cindy since she 1st started working behind the parts counter at Century. Over the years our friendship grew, maybe both of us being Pisces helped. I wished I was closer to the area so I could get a nice smile more often.
Hugs from Phil
One of a kind Caroline
Century Motorcycles is my kinda place… You can spend hours in there looking around and not see everything,,, The History of all the old timers is worth checking out . The owner Cindy has a heart the size of San Perdo . And she will have you laughing before you leave… Being a lady rider myself it been neat to have Cindy over looking the maintance on my bike… thur the years… Also you never know who you might see come in the shop… and I’m talking moviestars looking to buy a bike… So go down and check the place out for yourself . Tim’s great he knows the shop from front to back and can help you with any of your needs…..One more thing the Christmas Party is a blast! Try not to miss it.. Dec 13th Take care ride safe One of a kind Caroline