Hitting the Open Road with Dan's Pro Shop at Sturgis

Is this your first time at Sturgis?

Absolutely, it’s my first time. It’s a long haul from Pittsburgh, that’s for sure! But this is a bucket list trip. Every American biker, really any biker, needs to experience this. It's a cult classic.

What are you most excited for while you're here?

The riding and the entire experience. We’re staying right by Mount Rushmore, so we’re going to do the Needles Highway and all of that. We’ve still got a few more days here to explore.

Did you ride all the way out here?

No, we trailered the bikes out. I know, I know—I’ll get some flack for that. But 1,500 miles on a bike is a long way, and I’m getting old. My back can’t handle it anymore!

I don't blame you, man. Tell us about your bike. What kind is it?

I've got a 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. At first glance, it might look like a Street Glide, but that’s because of a detach kit from HOGWORKZ. It lets me easily install and remove the tour pack. So, if I want to just cruise with my buddies, I can take the tour pack off and it looks like a Street Glide. But if I'm riding with my wife and we need to bring some gear, I just throw it back on.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Up front, I have a full wrap, color-matched fender in the Mysterious Red Sunglow. And I’ve got the HOGWORKZ switchback turn signals and Halo Maker passing lamps. The only thing missing is the 7-inch main headlight, because a buddy is borrowing it to test it out.

That’s cool of you to lend it out. How does he like it?

He loves it! So it’s pretty much guaranteed he’s going to get one, and then I can get mine back.

What other modifications have you made?

Nothing too crazy. I've got 10-inch handlebars, a Dominator seat, and an at-home Stage 1 kit. I also installed a full Vance & Hines exhaust with a downpipe and X converter to eliminate the cat, a Vance & Hines intake, and an FP4 tuner. It’s a great way to get some better sound and a little more pep.

You’re an engineer, so working on bikes like this must come naturally, right?

I like to say there’s the professional Dan and the real Dan. You have to do what pays the bills and what feeds the soul. For me, riding two wheels is a way of life.

How long have you been riding for?

As soon as I could walk! I was on a dirt bike by the time I was two years old.

And you’re still riding dirt bikes today?

Absolutely! Just last weekend, I was racing in the woods in Ohio, and now I’m here. It's awesome.

Tell us the story behind your YouTube channel, Dan’s Pro Shop.

It was actually an accident. My wife bet me that I couldn’t succeed with a YouTube channel. She told me I had all this "stupid useful information" in my head and that I should just put it out there and see what happens. A couple years later, we’ve caught traction, and it’s a real thing. We’re an LLC and we have merchandise and weekly videos every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

I was originally doing videos on industrial electrical stuff. I had a video where I showed how to build a booby trap using a proximity sensor. You know how you watch Home Alone and wonder how cool it would be to live in a house full of booby traps? Well, I’m a grown-up engineer, so I took it up a notch.

Then I started putting out more bike content, and it turns out almost everyone who turns wrenches loves motorcycles. It's a beautiful match made in heaven. The channel has evolved into a little bit of everything, and as long as people keep tuning in, I'll keep creating.

Is there anything else you’re looking to do to your bike?

I think this thing might finally be done. I've had it since 2015, and I'm really happy with it the way it is.

I saw the video you did about how Harley discontinued the Ultra Limited. You weren’t happy about that, were you?

I know it’s a bit of a contradiction since I removed the tour pack, but just the fact that you can’t go to the showroom and buy a fully loaded Ultra is disappointing. It seems like they’re getting away from their core customer base. Call me an old soul, but the Electra Glide is the flagship of Harley-Davidson.

You also have a video on the discontinuation of the Dyna. You must have been bummed about that, too.

Absolutely. The Dyna was the most popular, perfect-sized bike that everyone loved, and they got rid of it. What a bonehead move. Dyna forever! I had one before this bike and sold it a week before the press release that they were discontinuing them. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life. I even have a copy of the original title. One day, I will find that bike!

It's great to see you here, man. Have a blast!

Thanks, guys! It’s going to be a blast.

Have you ever been to Sturgis? What’s on your motorcycle bucket list?