turning wrenches and telling stories

Garages are as much a social place for sharing stories and ideas as they are for working on motors or machining new parts. Travis comes from a lineage of garage dwellers who thought with their hands while working on old cars and motorcycles. The mission at Rand Motor Co. is to keep the tradition alive in a remote place where you can test your machines and practice what you preach in the unforgiving desert.

Travis’ great grandfather owned and operated a gas station on Long Island in New York. Travis was always captivated by the stories his dad would tell about growing up in his grandpa Wally’s filling station.

Travis’ dad (the little guy in plaid) rode motorcycles from an early age with his family on Long Island and later in Upstate New York. Travis’ grandpa (left) is equal parts motorcyclist and adventure storyteller.

Travis started turning wrenches and building stuff with his dad before his first birthday. He grew up on the tales of riding & racing motorcycles which get told in a garage.

His obsession with motorcycles and the adventures they can inspire started at a young age.

Travis’ obsession with riding, collecting and wrenching on motorcycles continues to this day. He also believes the connections and stories shared off the bike are equally as important to the adventures had while riding.

The portion of Rand Motor Co. that lies behind the front office is the shop where the mechanics did their work in the 1930s. The space has been transformed into a hybrid mechanic shop / woodshop / welding area flanking the center space where a growing collection of new & old motorcycles are stored and tinkered on. The old industrial shed has once again become a space for turning wrenches and telling stories.

What’s in the garage?

  • 1963 Yamaha YG1

  • 1971 Husky 400 Cross

  • 1974 Honda Elsinore 250

  • 1974 Honda QA50

  • 1979 Honda XL 185 Trials Custom

  • 1985 Honda CR250

  • 2005 Yamaha R1

  • 2008 BMW GS1200

  • 2011 Suzuki V-Strom 650

  • 2021 KTM 500 EXC-F