machsnell
Well-known member
Amazing garage. I am in northern virginia also and I was wondering who did your floor and how is it holding up?
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
Motorcycle Roadracing Garage
- Thread starter ekraft84
- Start date
Thank you. And absolutely!
Thank you. Will do.
Tom - Epoxy-coat.com. They post here fairly regularly. Rugerlady would be who you'd want to talk to.
I love how it came out. It's holding up great. My wife's Jeep parks there now in the winter, with salt and dirt all dripping down and I can just mop it all up no problem. Workshop spills are no big deal either. Oil, gas, brake cleaner, etc.
I would highly recommend the anti-slip grit into the clear coat, as well as the UV protectant. My main concerns from past projects were the floor being slippery when wet, and fading in the sunlight - and after 2-3 years or however long it's been now since having it done, neither have been an issue.
Hope that helps.
I've thought about having my lift in the floor several times, after seeing yours I will get it done. I guess you have it raised just a little to keep water and other stuff from going in the pit ? I wouldn't think the cement work would be that much money, I really don't know anything about cement work other than it needs to be done right.
It's raised on one end, to make it level - accounting for the slope of the floor.
There may not be a problem. I like the platform, as it was fixed. My dad's Handy, the wheels will sometimes move slightly, but if you were in a pit, it might not matter.
sbhockey
Well-known member
All my years living in northern IN, and I never rode ice. Now that I'm 600 miles south I want to head up and give it a try.
Accel Junky
Well-known member
I love everything about your garage!
Quick question: where did you get the backsplash tiles and who makes them? I went to Home Depot and to a huge tile store today and could not find slate grey tiles like those.
Quick question: where did you get the backsplash tiles and who makes them? I went to Home Depot and to a huge tile store today and could not find slate grey tiles like those.
A local place called The Tile Shop. I'm not sure who makes them. Here's their site:
http://www.tileshop.com/home.do
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Accel Junky
Well-known member
Thanks! We actually have one of those stores nearby.
The far-side cabinets are finally complete. It took much longer than expected, but I think it was worth it. Photos below.
To start, the slope of the floor required a base to level everything at zero, while also factoring in the "step" on the far right side.
As I recall, the difference in height from one side to the other was over 9".
Base complete. Slatwall starts to go up.
More slatwall. We had to remove the window frame pieces in order to slide the metal inserts into the slatwall.
Given that full size cabinets weren't realistic, these were built as frames made to hold weight in the upper cabinets, while having functioning sliding doors on the lowers.
Another angle. Note sliding door installed for test fitting, before being laminated to match.
Fast forward to the cabinets being complete. Overall they were a bit more "large" than even I anticipated. Big sliding doors, along with a bottom slide out drawer (rated for 150lbs) with a butcher block top that matches the rest of the garage. The depth of the cabinets near the front of the garage is shallower, as the garage frame is in the way (as you can see). Once past that, we made the depth of the cabinets on the other side of the drawer 30" deep. This would allow for bigger items, like a drill press, parts washer, etc.
The door hardware was intended to match with the other cabinets. Note the four motorcycle prints - those were originally hanging above the sink area before the backsplash went up - and were replaced with three larger prints that fit the wall better (see previous photos). These doors now seemed like a good place for them to go. I used velcro to attach them, as I couldn't force myself to put holes in them.
The overhead curved piece wasn't in the original plans, but the wall looked incomplete with a big gap above the window. It closes things in a bit, but it really ties everything together nicely. Of course with my dad being an electrician, he came up with the idea to put a recess light up there. I didn't want to argue with dad:
Another angle:
Enclosed window:
There were a number of challenges, from the slope of the floor, to the walls not being square, to the garage door frame getting in the way, but overall I'm really pleased with how it came out.
Thanks for reading.
To start, the slope of the floor required a base to level everything at zero, while also factoring in the "step" on the far right side.
As I recall, the difference in height from one side to the other was over 9".
Base complete. Slatwall starts to go up.
More slatwall. We had to remove the window frame pieces in order to slide the metal inserts into the slatwall.
Given that full size cabinets weren't realistic, these were built as frames made to hold weight in the upper cabinets, while having functioning sliding doors on the lowers.
Another angle. Note sliding door installed for test fitting, before being laminated to match.
Fast forward to the cabinets being complete. Overall they were a bit more "large" than even I anticipated. Big sliding doors, along with a bottom slide out drawer (rated for 150lbs) with a butcher block top that matches the rest of the garage. The depth of the cabinets near the front of the garage is shallower, as the garage frame is in the way (as you can see). Once past that, we made the depth of the cabinets on the other side of the drawer 30" deep. This would allow for bigger items, like a drill press, parts washer, etc.
The door hardware was intended to match with the other cabinets. Note the four motorcycle prints - those were originally hanging above the sink area before the backsplash went up - and were replaced with three larger prints that fit the wall better (see previous photos). These doors now seemed like a good place for them to go. I used velcro to attach them, as I couldn't force myself to put holes in them.
The overhead curved piece wasn't in the original plans, but the wall looked incomplete with a big gap above the window. It closes things in a bit, but it really ties everything together nicely. Of course with my dad being an electrician, he came up with the idea to put a recess light up there. I didn't want to argue with dad:
Another angle:
Enclosed window:
There were a number of challenges, from the slope of the floor, to the walls not being square, to the garage door frame getting in the way, but overall I'm really pleased with how it came out.
Thanks for reading.
Last edited:
zedXmick
Member
Outstanding garage transformation. 
Great to see all the changes over time. You have one of the best fathers of all time!! Love the coat rack. 
Hope you get to race on one of the best tracks in the world in 2015. Here is a fun picture I took of my track day from 2013. Hope you have a great 2015 season!!!
Great to see all the changes over time. You have one of the best fathers of all time!! Love the coat rack. Hope you get to race on one of the best tracks in the world in 2015. Here is a fun picture I took of my track day from 2013. Hope you have a great 2015 season!!!
dubber
Well-known member
Holy ****! That's beautiful.
Question, does the built-in mean the car that parks in that end spot has to shuffle over to open the car door? Would love to see a pic of the cabinets with the doors open as well, when you get around to it
Question, does the built-in mean the car that parks in that end spot has to shuffle over to open the car door? Would love to see a pic of the cabinets with the doors open as well, when you get around to it
Outstanding garage transformation.
Hope you get to race on one of the best tracks in the world in 2015. Here is a fun picture I took of my track day from 2013. Hope you have a great 2015 season!!!
Thank you. Yes, he's pretty awesome.
Nice bike! And yeah, Road America is definitely a bucket list type track.
Holy ****! That's beautiful.
Question, does the built-in mean the car that parks in that end spot has to shuffle over to open the car door? Would love to see a pic of the cabinets with the doors open as well, when you get around to it
Thanks dubber. I'm glad you mentioned that. My wife's Jeep doesn't have to park any differently. That was a benefit of the limited depth of the cabinets in the front half of the garage (with the garage track in the way), is that she can park as usual and still open her door (although it doesn't go wide open, to the stop), with no complaints. Now if the track hadn't been there, I'm sure I'd have gone deeper, where then she might have had to move over a bit.
We got lucky, in that the driver side, back door actually swings all the way open, just over the butcher block top.
I'll take some photos with the car parked in it, that's a good idea.
Here's a couple other random photos:
Thanks.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Beautiful space you have achieved. I think the layout and decor would inspire you to do the dirty work in a more organized fashion. I know when I let my garage get too messy (And it never looks this good) even for me, I tend to get less interested in keeping it clean and organized. Your space says, do the work and put things away properly when done.
Now I gotta comment though. You've set the bar high in all your garage features except one. That plain rubbermaid trash can does not fit the theme!!
Just kidding a bit but I did expect something in matte black and brushed metal.
But all in all……..
Now I gotta comment though. You've set the bar high in all your garage features except one. That plain rubbermaid trash can does not fit the theme!!
Just kidding a bit but I did expect something in matte black and brushed metal.But all in all……..
marsch
Member
Very nice build. Your build has given me some ideas about my future build. Also, awesome bikes you got there.
1clean4runner
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2012
- Messages
- 117
Looks great! The tiling and cabinets is fantastic. Really looks like a fun place to work & hang out.
I love everything about it - except - may I suggest a nicer trash can?
I love everything about it - except - may I suggest a nicer trash can?
Beautiful space you have achieved. I think the layout and decor would inspire you to do the dirty work in a more organized fashion. I know when I let my garage get too messy (And it never looks this good) even for me, I tend to get less interested in keeping it clean and organized. Your space says, do the work and put things away properly when done.
Now I gotta comment though. You've set the bar high in all your garage features except one. That plain rubbermaid trash can does not fit the theme!!
But all in all……..
Thanks rmalkow. That is how things end up working out, which is nice. Everything clean and organized while working.
Thank you marsch. Much appreciated.
Looks great! The tiling and cabinets is fantastic. Really looks like a fun place to work & hang out.
I love everything about it - except - may I suggest a nicer trash can?
Thanks. Yes, maybe you're right.
Gorgeous! now lets get a little more creative with trashcan..
Man, tough crowd.
So here's the trash can on the other side of the garage. Maybe I need two that match? I do like the big rubbermaid one though, as it handles big and messy tasks. Holding a dremel over it while cutting down bodywork, or drilling bolts and having it there to simply dust the metal bits into.
I'm open to suggestions for improvement though.
marsch
Member
At least it matches the scheme
marsch
Member
Get you a big rubbermaid one, wrap it in a stainless steel vinyl. Then it will match and you can have a big trash can
Wasn't your plan to put the garbage can inside the large cabinet door where you've got your sink??
BTW I have huge garage envy with your setup!
There is now a long list of things I want to do with my place once $$ frees itself up that you've done.
How has your floor held up to date? Do you and your bride park your daily drivers in there at all?
BTW I have huge garage envy with your setup!
There is now a long list of things I want to do with my place once $$ frees itself up that you've done.
How has your floor held up to date? Do you and your bride park your daily drivers in there at all?
I do have some wrap leftover from the fridge. Haha.
That was the plan, although those cabinets have kind of filled up now. Plus I figured putting it there would be a bit limiting.
Thank you on the compliments. The floor has held up great. Especially with all the snow, salt and dirt that's been coming in from my wife's Jeep. She parks in the garage regularly. I can't fit my truck in there any more - at least not without rolling onto the lift table, which I don't really want to do.
risc, I was actually about to post photos about the slatwall and how I started using them Here are a few:
I went with slatwall accessories from Diamond Life. Their brackets are really nice, high quality pieces:
Doors open:
Left cabinet, right side. MX gear. I wanted something to hang helmets and jerseys from, so they could air out appropriately. I used various faceout pieces, along with a large basket. Sometimes everything needs to "air out":
Left side, using a large tool rack and a hook for the hedger. This was nice, as I can throw all the bigger, non race-related stuff here.
Up above, I've just tossed a couple rubber maid bins that currently have gardening stuff, which I'll sort through as spring approaches.
For some reason, I didn't download the pics of the other side. I'll do that and post those up as well.
FYI, you can find more info at www.diamondlifegear.com
marsch
Member
So much garage envy!
dubber
Well-known member
/\ Thanks for those pics, i was curious about the slat walls as well. Looks great. I bet your wife doesn't mind parking in there at all.
ryanp77
Well-known member
Just went through all 18 pages, what an awesome transformation, seeing those pics from Barber wants me to get the hell out of cold Indy and down to Barber for a trackday weekend
Thank you.
/\ Thanks for those pics, i was curious about the slat walls as well. Looks great. I bet your wife doesn't mind parking in there at all.
Her Jeep gets to stay warm. My truck on the other hand ..
They do, although they are becoming less and less common. Four-stroke fuel injection with electronics is becoming the norm.
Thank you. Yes, I'm hoping to do the same. If only the bike would show up.
JustinS
Well-known member
Just keeps getting better and better!
Xporter
Well-known member
Looking good, love the cabinets!
69bigblok
Well-known member
Really amazing garage. One of my favorites with your super clean color scheme and neatness.
Thanks guys. BigBlok, love your garage too. Very sharp as well.
Some disappointing news I received the other day. Wood Magazine, the publication that had featured a special issue of "Dream Garages" every year, will no longer be in publication.
A couple months ago, they had contacted me about being included in their 2015 recap of garages. Of course I was excited. They wrote up a nice article, had a bunch of pictures taken, etc. It was even laid out and ready for print. It was all very humbling given many of the ideas I had, came from seeing a variety of garages/shops here on the forum, as well as in other magazines, website, etc. Sadly, it's getting tougher for print magazines to survive nowadays, especially niche publications.
Mr Mushman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2009
- Messages
- 113
Beautiful job, this is a dream motorcycle garage, simple but very well designed, congrats !
Thank you guys.
I took a few more photos of the right side cabinets:
Slatwall (diamondLife) bicycle rack for my mountain bike. Holds bike, helmet, gloves, etc. Bike hook for the little man's bike.
The red post/structure support was added after realizing that enough weight up top might cause long-term issues if not properly supported. There is one on the left-side cabinets as well.
Eventually a parts washer and a larger drill press will hopefully go here.
These things will move around. I like the little parts bins. Might have to get some more of these.
The Al. floor was cut and made for better durability than the black laminate could provide during getting beat up constantly.
Here's the drawer pulled out. It's big, it's bulky. It fits a lot though.
I still have to post some photos with a car in the garage. Next up.
Thanks for reading.
dubber
Well-known member
You have a very handy father hahaha.