You know how it is: we all get stuck in our ways. Even when something new and different comes out we'd rather stick with "old faithful." Sometimes it's just easier to stay with what you know. Yet Mark Siddle (Mark S) and his people at Cutting Edge Cycles in Saint Charles, Missouri have proven that something new can be just as good as the old school version, and many times even better.
It was just after Bike Week in Daytona a few years back that Mark Pomirko (Mark P) walked into Cutting Edge Cycles, bringing an enthusiasm and energy that the CEC people would never forget. What Mr. Pomirko was looking for was a '60s-style bike, complete with levers, wires, and all the mess that goes along with them. At CEC they had something else in mind. Their style had more to do with hiding things that didn't need to be seen and creating a clean, sleek look. They are known for their internal twist clutches and throttles hidden in the handlebars. When Mark P said wanted everything on the outside instead of an internal clutch and throttle, he got a look "like he had just shot Mark Siddle's dog." Needless to say, there was a little friction at first. But CEC soon convinced Mark P that they were going to give him exactly what he wanted, just with a modern twist. Mark P has been very happy ever since.
He came by often to watch the build, and slowly he became a member of the family. At first the CEC people tried to keep him out of their way, and Mark spent most of his time ordering parts and answering the phones. It wasn't long before he realized that he was in fact the only one answering the phones.