Release #67 - September 2025

You asked—we listened. BAKER Drivetrain has extended our phone support hours so you can reach us when it works best for you. Our crew is now available by phone Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT—that’s an extra hour and a half of evening support beyond our previous 4:30 p.m. close.

 

Whether you’re wrapping up a build after work or need late-day drivetrain advice, we’ll be here to help—just a call away.

 

📞 Call us at 517-339-3835 to connect with a real BAKER Gearhead during our new extended hours.

We’re fired up to have James Simonelli back at BAKER Drivetrain as our new Brand Manager.

James is a lifelong rider with 40+ years in the motorcycle world—design, fabrication, tech, sales, marketing—you name it. He spent seven years here in the past, helping launch products and build dealer relationships, and now he’s back to drive the brand forward.

From land-speed records at the Ohio Mile to a garage full of vintage projects, James lives and breathes motorcycles. His passion and industry know-how are the perfect match for our mission: American-made drivetrain innovation.

Give James a big BAKER welcome and stay tuned for what’s next.

BAKER Customer Appreciation Month

This October, the Gearhead Graveyard awakens, and the restless spirits of BAKER Gearheads are stirring. Every day, 10 killer prizes crawl out of the crypt. Expect free gear, bone-rattling discounts, and wicked surprises, including BAKER Drivetrain gift cards, products, and creepy-cool apparel—for anyone who’s made a direct BAKER purchase since January 1, 2025.

Make a purchase in October, and your chances of winning rise from the dead—10x over!

Keep your eyes peeled on our haunted social crypts (Instagram & Facebook) to see which lucky Gearheads drag the loot out of the shadows each day.

Claim your graveyard goodies by calling 517-339-3835 or emailing sales@bakerdrivetrain.com.

Beware: This is a random draw—some will get a treat, others… may get haunted.

Promo valid through October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Winners are selected at random; participation does not guarantee a prize. Prizes must be claimed by phone or email within 30 days of announcement. Limit one prize per customer. All prizes are final and cannot be returned or exchanged.

The 2025 SmokeOut Rally in Salisbury, North Carolina, brought together an unbeatable mix of builders, riders, and industry legends—and we were right in the thick of it. From September 4–7, the Rowan County Fairgrounds became a full-throttle celebration of custom motorcycles, burnouts, dirt drags, and late-night stories only a true biker gathering can deliver.

 

We rolled in early Thursday and scored a prime booth location just past the main gate—thanks to Heather and Chris Callen, the dynamic duo steering SmokeOut for the past four years. As we set up, the grounds buzzed with familiar faces like Dave and Jody Perewitz, Jason Souza of Faultline Customs, and talented builders from across the country.

 

Friday delivered a wild Carolina storm that rattled tents but never dampened spirits. The dirt drags lit up the evening, with Eric Stein tearing through the street bike class on an FXR packing a 120” Evo. All weekend we connected with builders and shops pushing the limits—like Curtis Hoffman of Hoffman Designs, Eric Vaughan of Destroyer Garage, and plenty of Hamsters trading stories and sparking friendly rivalries.

 

From swapping tech tips and talking future projects to watching burnout contests spill into the rain-soaked night, the rally kept its charge from start to finish.

 

The SmokeOut Rally once again proved why it’s a must on every biker’s calendar. Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by the BAKER booth, shared a story, or just came to talk drivetrain.

Before the 2025 BRL Kick-Off Party, we had the chance to visit Main Street Moto and check out their shop—and it’s easy to see why they’re such a force in the motorcycle community. Steve first opened Las Vegas Dyno Tech in 2007 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, dedicated to motorcycle repair and performance services. In 2014, he and Tara relocated to the vibrant downtown Arts District and transformed the business into Main Street Moto, a space where tradition meets innovation and a shared passion for motorcycles fuels everything they do.

 

Steve’s journey from tinkering with dirt bikes in upstate New York to becoming a master mechanic in Las Vegas shines through in every bike he touches. Tara’s marketing and consulting background helped shape the shop into a hub for riders, builders, and artists alike. Blending retro style with modern craftsmanship, Main Street Moto is more than just a shop—it’s a home for anyone who loves the open road, offering boutique vintage bikes, custom builds, eBikes, performance tuning, and a curated selection of gear and local art.

 

Later that evening, Main Street Moto proved why they’re the heart of the scene by throwing one heck of a bash to kick off the 2025 BRL Las Vegas race—and BAKER Drivetrain was right in the mix. Even with scattered showers, the Thursday night party kept the custom builds and conversations rolling. Fellow vendors like Mint Speed Shop, Burly, PM, Vance & Hines, Speed Farm, and Full Throttle Law joined the action alongside the essential food and beer trucks.

 

Despite the weather, the crowd’s energy never dipped. We swapped stories with Howard and Aaron from S&S, caught up with Penny as she hustled to keep everything humming, and talked shop with Devin, a Main Street Moto tech eager to learn more about BAKER products. Rob Buydos from the BRL, plus friends from Kraus and Lifestyle Cycles, also dropped by for good stories and camaraderie. Between the DJ’s music and gear talk with curious riders, the evening stayed lively from start to finish.

 

Big thanks to Tara, Steve, Penny, and the entire Main Street Moto crew for welcoming us early at the shop and hosting an unforgettable BRL season send-off. They showed once again that Main Street Moto isn’t just a dealership—it’s the heartbeat of the Las Vegas motorcycle community.