us Schaper is a great rep that goes out every day pounding the pavement for Drag Specialties. Gus rides, and enjoys his job as much as possible. His outlook and experiences in the motorcycle industry are worth listening to.

DS: How long have you been with Drag Specialties?
Gus: “Over eight years.”

DS: What is your job all about, what’s good, bad, and fun about what you do?
Gus: “Calling on cycle dealers who are also friends, showing them specials and what’s new, helping with problems and advice. I used to sell work related equipment, which wasn’t fun. Cycles are recreation and are a lot of fun. Also working for a profitable company ensures that your commission check is always on time. I have the best job in the company and it is without a doubt the best and only company to work for.”

DS: How did you get started in the motorcycle industry?
Gus: “I was a salesman for 20 years calling on power equipment dealers. I called on a dealer that Mike Faulkner worked at before being a Parts Unlimited rep. I was at a Parts Unlimited snowmobile hospitality and Mike went on and on about how great LeMans Corp. is and how well he liked his job. He said Drag Specialties was looking for a rep, at that time I was not looking to change jobs, but Mike and Gary Cartwright convinced me to send a resume in and the rest is history.”

DS: Of all the bikes you’ve ever ridden, what is your all-time favorite?
Gus: “My Ultra Classic, which has storage for rain gear, cold weather gear and whatever is needed to be comfortable in all conditions.”

DS: What is your favorite type of riding?
Gus: “Cruising with my wife and friends.”

DS: What bikes do you currently own and ride?
Gus: “I now own a 2005 Ultra Classic with a lot of accessories from the FatBook, also a 2001 Dyna Super Glide Customized from the FatBook and a lot of hand built parts.”

DS: The industry is booming and you’ve personally seen a lot of changes. What do you see as the major forward leaps in business over the last few years?
Gus: “Years ago you could not sell exhaust with heat shields, now it is almost impossible to sell exhaust without heat shields. Also open exhaust is almost a thing of the past. Bike building is changing, everyone was building bikes but now that has fallen off. We have seen big business with choppers, fat tires, large displacement motors to name a few.”

DS: Looking into the future, where do you see the industry going–changes, trends, etc.?
Gus: “With new EPA regulations proposed and already passed in California, manufacturers will have to do more research and development to meet the requirements and still look and perform well. I think we will continue to see customers making a lot of changes to their bikes, customizing, and personalizing.”

DS: What is your favorite thing about working for Drag Specialties?
Gus: “People! People make the difference, Drag has so many great, talented and experienced people and that really makes it a lot of fun. This is the best place to work in the industry bar none, and because of that nobody ever leaves. Also not being a public company allows Fred and Jeff Fox to do what’s best for the company in the long run and they make it a well-organized and efficient company.”

DS: Anything else you’d like to add or statement you always wanted to make?
Gus: “I bought my first bike, a BSA, in 1964; in 1965 I bought my first new Harley-Davidson and have ridden since then except for a few years after my children were born. I have a wonderful wife who rides with me most of the time. We have two great daughters, two great sons-in-law, two great grandchildren and another one due in December. A great job and all in all a great life.”