WARREN -- There is a sign that hangs on the wall of Granny's Cycle that states, "No Alcohol,

WARREN -- There is a sign that hangs on the wall of Granny's Cycle that states, "No Alcohol, Attitude or Drugs."
Dennis "Stich" Husk, owner of the shop points to the sign and says, "That's my motto now because those three things got me in a whole heap of trouble in the past."
Husk's life was not always as neat and orderly as his motorcycle sales and repair shop.
In 1973 he had a terrible motorcycle accident that required 3,000 sutures to sew him back together, hence the nickname "Stich," spelled with one "t."
"The accident didn't stop me. Between then and until 1989 I acted like an irresponsible fool. I had a bunch more accidents and I was in and out of jail," Husk said.
In 1989 he successfully participated in a program for addicts.
He always had a knack for motorcycles and prior to 1989 he fixed bikes for acquaintances. "They paid me with booze and drugs," he said.
"In 1991 my mom, Velma Husk, took out a home improvement loan and she and I started building this business. It's named after her. She was Granny," he said.
She passed away a few years ago, but not before she saw her son turn his life around.
Husk and his friends constructed the building located next to the house he and his mother shared.
Initially the shop was 1,500 square feet. After a few additions, it is now 4,000 square feet.
In addition to repairing all makes of motorcycles, Husk also sells Panzer Motorcycles.
"What I really like to do is take a whole bunch of dirty, old, used parts -- really nasty stuff -- clean them up and build a really beautiful bike," Husk said.
He added, "Bikes can be built to fit a person's personality. A really nice, custom-made bike can cost more that $20,000." In addition to using used parts, Husk also builds motorcycles with totally new parts.
He does almost all of the work at the shop himself. "Occasionally a buddy will come in to help out around here, but mostly, it's just me," he said.
His workday is usually from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but in the spring it gets hectic and he has to put in more hours and start his workday at 6 or 7 a.m.
"I like to think of myself and this business as persistent, consistent and hardworking. I'd say about 90 percent of the money I earn is put right back into this business," he said.