"What is good about this business is that I found my calling early in life. This is the job for me, and I will make sure that our passion continues not just for our business but to make our lives better for the family."
WHAT happens when a consuming passion such as customizing motorcycles is passed on from father to son?
The result is perfect bonding time and a lucrative business for a family in San Pedro, Laguna.
Luisito Luluquisin has been tinkering with machines ever since he can remember.
When vacationing from the Middle East, where he was based as an overseas worker, the elder Luluquisin would accommodate requests from families and friends to help them rebuild and transform their motorcycles and bicycles into something that would fit their personalities.
His son Julius has been serving as his "aide-de-camp," handing over tools or running errands for his father.
Now both father and son enjoy the benefits of working and earning together after the younger Luluquisin pursued to start the business "LJ Custom Cycle" in 2014 when his father decided to return home for good.
"I have been inspired to learn how to fabricate, weld machines and do service repair," said Julius.
Julius fondly remembers that a Honda CB350 was the first motorcycle he and his father had repaired. However, at that time, they did not have enough tools, and the older Luluquisin would go to other shops to rent welding machines.
"We had to save funds to be able to buy parts and equipment necessary to start our shop," Julius said.
"It was my father who taught me how to be creative and to visualize the new appearance of motorcycles before customizing them," he added.
Julius said that he tried to repaint, disassemble and reassemble motorcycles by himself, applying what he learned from his father.
He first started repairing bicycles and motorcycles of his professors and friends, and later on got used to the rudiments and intricacies of repairing and fabricating motor vehicle machines himself.
During their first years, clients came in trickles. But now father and son had to explain to clients and regular customers the "waiting time" of three to four weeks before their motorcycles could be custom-built. But the timeline for repairs and fabrication would depend on the kind of services and parts the shop had to acquire for clients.
It was a long journey, though, before LJ Custom Cycle reached its peak. Julius had to create a Facebook page in 2014 so that the shop would be known not just in Laguna but in Metro Manila and in other parts of Luzon.
LJ Custom Cycle had to join motorcycle shows such as MCL Car and Motorshow, All About Wheels, South United, Moto Heritage, Moto Build and other major events.
The father-and-son team had strived to win major awards such as "Southwoods Mall Choice Award," "Best Honda Cruiser Champion," "1st Custom Tracker Custom" and "1st Sportsbike Modified" for their ingenuity and creativity for the motorcycles they made. Both Luisito and Julius had also appeared in television shows to talk about their distinctive skills.
While social media helped them greatly in their business, word of mouth from satisfied customers was the key to their success. Pretty soon, owners of small and big bikes, custom and classic bikes, came to them.
"We are happy working together as a family, at the same time, earning to sustain our daily needs," Luisito said.
Julius said that, however, in due time, other shops mushroomed, and they had to keep up with the demands by purchasing more tools and equipment, adding up more services and building up their strength as skilled mechanics.
Luisito said that everything they know came from self-help. "There is no school or academy for customizing motorcycles; we have to teach ourselves."
Luisito, however, said that the air-conditioning and refrigeration course he finished at the Guzman Institute of Technology came in handy with the business that they have.
LJ Motorcycle's specialization ranges from custom handlebars, engine restoration and foot pegs to custom sissy bars, custom chassis and custom paints.
Julius said that both he and his father are continuing to aspire and to follow their dreams to create a better life for their family.
"Our motto in the family is, 'Pursue your dreams as life is too short,'" Julius said. He narrated that he tried to apply for other jobs having finished a degree in Marine Transportation from Philippine Merchant Marine School. But he found his passion instead in customizing motorcycles.
"What is good about this business is that I found my calling early in life. This is the job for me, and I will make sure that our passion continues not just for our business but to make our lives better for the family," he said. "We want to purchase more state-of-the-art equipment and tools to be able to fend for our clients. We also want to pass on the skills and experiences to the younger generation so that LJ Custom Cycle as a brand will be sustained."
In customization, Luisito emphasized the need for ingenuity as clients request all sorts of "choppers."
He explained that a chopper is a type of custom motorcycle that uses modified steering angles and lengthened forks for a new appearance. The word "chopper" comes from building a new motorcycle from scratch.
DYNAMIC DUO The father-and-son team had strived to win major awards such as 'Southwoods Mall Choice Award,' 'Best Honda Cruiser Champion,' '1st Custom Tracker Custom' and '1st Sportsbike Modified' for their ingenuity and creativity for the motorcycles they made. Both Luisito and Julius had also appeared in television shows to talk about their distinctive skills. COntributed photosLuisito specializes in body works and welding parts, while Julius is more of an expert in electronics and retro-fitting accessories. It is like a fusion of the old and the new as the elder Luisito focuses on ensuring the classic touches in customizing while the younger Julius is more adept in the use of technology and electronics.
A memorable project they did together was restoring a Honda CB750 1988 model, which meant that they had to find parts that could fit the motorcycle built more than three decades ago.
They were not sure where to get the parts, but Julius scoured the internet until he was able to order parts from other countries. It took them time to reassemble, but both father, son and the customer were happy with the result.
"Brainstorming is an important aspect of our work," both Luisito and Julius said.
Either over cups of coffee or bottles of beer, both Luisito and Julius spent hours and even days discussing how to approach a motorcycle brought to them. In the process, the two had also become closer as they also talked about life with the elder Luisito providing advice and guidance to Julius as the latter approached his adulthood.
"We are able to develop our concepts and to share our ideas. There is give and take. It does not mean that I am always right as I am the father," Luisito explained. Julius agreed with what his father said. "There is freedom in our family as long as we know that we are on the right track, we pursue."
Humility is also important in the Luluquisin family. "I have made my mistakes in life, and I want my children to learn from my mistakes, be these in life or in business. I just want Julius and his two other siblings, Joanne and Joyce, to stay focused and dedicated," he said.
The customers certainly feel this sense of commitment and dedication as they now come in droves in the LJ Custom Cycle.
"I believe that it is important that you are happy with what you do. Love your work, and everything will fall into its rightful place," Luisito said.
Indeed, father and son are happy and content with their business and their family.
About me
What is your biggest fear?
Julius: For our business to shamble and for someone in the family to have a serious illness.
Luisito: Life is too short.
What really makes you angry?
Julius: When I cannot do what I could do.
Luisito: Making same mistakes I did.
What motivates you to work hard?
Julius: My family, my girlfriend and my future family.
Luisito: To pursue my dreams.
What makes you laugh the most?
Julius: Whenever I finish a motorcycle job.
Luisito: My accomplishments in life.
What did you want to be when you were small?
Julius: To compete in an international motorcycle show.
Luisito: To hone my craftsmanship.
What would you do if you won the lotto?
Julius: Share the prize with my family and take care of our health needs.
Luisito: Buy a big lot for my business.
If you could share a meal with an individual, living or dead, who would they be?
Julius: My family.
Luisito: My family.
What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
Julius: First time I had my back ride in our motorcycle CB350 when I was 8 years old.
Luisito: First time riding a Jet Ski with my wife.
What was the last book you read?
Julius: Custom motorcycle books and magazines.
Luisito: Harley-Davidson books.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Julius: Keanu Reeves and Jason Statham.
Luisito: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keanu Reeves.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Julius: Swimming so far in the open sea without any floating devices.
Luisito: Get wasted, drunk by alcohol.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Julius: For LJ Custom Cycle to be known more and for me to be able to cater to the family needs.
Luisito: To have fulfilled my dreams.