Road Therapy Owner's Calling is to Be Around Bikes, On and Off the Road.

Riding in the backseat of his father’s Lincoln at the age of 10, Sam Sheik glanced over his left shoulder. In the next lane over, a Harley Davidson bike rumbled by. 

That day, Sam knew he would one day ride a motorcycle.

Sam, a.k.a. the Harley Hunter, has been riding motorcycles for 20 plus years and currently rides a silver Harley Davidson. But recently, a bigger and better dream has come true.

In April, Sam and his business partner John Witt opened Road-Therapy V Twin in Channahon.

As a full-service maintenance shop, Road-Therapy V Twin, 25364 W. Eames St.,
offers repairs, rebuilds and customizing of motorcycles. Sam also buys, trades, consigns and helps customers find motorcycles.

“I have wanted to do this for a long time,” Sam said. “I have been working on bikes all my life. I have put my heart and soul into the business.”

Tire and oil changes are also included in the services offered at the Channahon shop. Tire service is also performed on golf carts and ATV’s, Sam said.

“I’m a believer that I am suppose to be here.” Sam said. “I dream to franchise more of these shops.”

Although Sam loved repairing cars and motorcycles, his college career did not reflect that. 

In 1994, Sam received a Bachelors of Science in Criminal and Administrative Justice from Southern University. He even considered a job with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. But the passion for auto repair and the start of family, changed his career choice.

“I have been involved and around cars and motorcycles for 24 years,” Sam said. “I love it.”

Currently, Sam is looking for a technician to work on both old and new Harley Davidson motorcycles. 

Summer Fun

A preliminary grand opening will take place on June 25-26. Ice cold water will be handed out to riders who stop at the shop. There will also be a bike wash and barbecue cookout.

The water, bike wash and cookout will continue every weekend throughout the month of July and will end with a grand opening the weekend of August 13 -14.

The grand opening celebration is in conjunction with the Three Rivers Festival, which begins August 10 and ends August 14.

Every year, Sam participates in the ride to Sturgis. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held in Sturgis, South Dakota, usually the first full week of August. This year’s run is scheduled between August 8 and August 14. Bikers interested in participating in the Sturgis run are welcome to join Sam.

“Road Therapy”

The name of business was something that Sam’s wife Tammy created. The name states that riding a motorcycle is therapy from the daily stress in life. 

“Fifteen minutes on the bike and I’m a changed man,” Sam said. “ Four kids can be stressful.”

Sam and his wife, high school sweethearts who have been married for 23 years, have lived in Minooka for 13 years. They have four children; Eddie, 22; Adam, 18; Sarah, 13 and Noah, 9. 

Jay Leno interested?

Customers can bring bikes and park them on the lot in hopes to sell. Sam has a vintage 1949 double-seat side car. It’a very rare bike. It can seat three kids and two adults.

“This is a true Harley Davidson,” Sam said. “This is something I would love to see Jay Leno purchase. It (the sale) would change the future of my business.”

Future

Depending on how well the business succeeds, Sam will consider turning the maintenance shop into a full dealership. He could even franchise.

He knows he has a great location for his business. It’s not far from Interstates 55 and 80. The shop is 2.5 miles west on Route 6 from Interstate 55.

“I’m very passionate about what I do and what I’m about to do,” Sam said. “I’m here to serve the community. I plan to be here for a long time."

Editor's Note: This story is the second in a series on motocycles for Motocycle Awareness Month. Stay tuned for our next installment on May 20.