A few weeks ago I reached out to Atlas Motorworks, a small shop conveniently situated just south of downtown Nashville, TN. With only a vague explanation of my intent Atlas gave me the greenlight and in a couple days, I was at their doorstep.
Two motorcycles sat parked haphazardly on a concrete slab in front of a garage door that read “Fort Houston,” in large font. I saw no sign of this being Atlas Motorworks, but the address in my phone indicated I’d arrived.
After a slightly hesitant entrance through the front door, followed by a lucky right turn, it was then that knew I was in the right place. An abundance of motorcycles posed across a back wall with shop bays located adjacently, I saw someone walking through the bikes and then over to a toolbox. This was Patrick Ryan, one of the masterminds behind Atlas Motorworks.
Located inside Fort Houston, Atlas Motorworks is a part of something much bigger than just itself. Unbeknownst to me I was walking into a large communal workspace that not only housed Atlas Motorworks, but an epicenter for creativity, expression, and production.
“We like to think of (Fort Houston) as a YMCA for makers. The way it works is there are workbenches available to rent or use as a member here and then you also have access to our woodshop, metal shop, and mechanical shop” said Ryan as he led me through Fort Houston.
Fort Houston was a warehouse like space consisting of work benches and spaces that allowed customers to use or rent on a monthly membership basis. Memberships are on a tier like basis and different levels provide different amounts of workspace and shop access.
In a corner a young woman was working on ceramics behind a row of pots. Also in eyesight was a man working on some furniture. With all the commotion, it was hard to focus on Ryan as he explained what Fort Houston was all about.
“What tier of membership you want grants you a certain amount of workspace or storage and a certain amount of access to the shop. There is also a membership available where you don’t necessarily need a workbench, you just need access to the shop,” explained Ryan.
“Ceramics, furniture makers, skateboard decks,” Ryan lists some examples of how the space is used by members. “The general member we get is the hobbyist, who is really wanting to build a couple tables here and there.” he continues.
After a quick tour we circle back around to the reason I was here: Atlas Motorworks. I ask Ryan how Fort Houston and Atlas Motorworks are connected and what their relationship is.
“What we do is we manage the actual mechanical portion of Fort Houston, so essentially if there is a member that shows up and they’re like, ‘Hey I have a motorcycle and I just want to change the oil.’ We’ll get them everything they need to get the job done.”
This, however, is just a small facet of what makes up Atlas Motorworks. Part service shop, part co-op garage, part custom shop; all promoting motorcycle culture while simultaneously fostering community engagement within the Nashville area.
Ryan and his business partner, Art Arcinas, are in charge of Atlas Motorworks and are there to help anyone who wants to join Fort Houston and wrench on their bike. Arcinas and Ryan coordinate service work, storage of customer’s bikes, and custom builds, while also acting as mentors and facilitators to those who wish to occupy Atlas Motorworks.
To pay the bills and fund possible projects, Atlas Motorworks is working to maintain a steady stream of service work.
“Fork seals, chains, sprockets, chassis work and engine work, general maintenance,” Ryan says, just to name a few of the services they provide. Ryan explained that service work is a big part of what they are doing right now. “That is the simplest way for us right now to keep it afloat.”
Atlas also has two bikes up on the lifts right now that have been commissioned by customers: a BMW R80 that Arcinas is working on, and a 919 Hornet, which is Ryan's Build. Along with customer builds, Atlas also has some shop funded projects in the works.
“We know that we still love custom bikes and we want to build them, so we are just kind of using the service work to fund what we want to do,” said Ryan as he talked about the shop’s builds.
Looking for a creative space to work on your own project? Atlas can get you set up with that too. I asked Ryan what that process is like.
“I would basically ask you what type of membership you are looking for. We would set you up with any amenities you need: Bike lift, community bench, and you’d have access to the mechanical tools in the metal shop, and you can always upgrade your membership when you feel it's necessary.”
There is also a community tool box that provide members with the general tools needed to do their work. Members can also bring their own tools, and if a job gets to the point where more specialty tools are needed, Atlas has members covered there as well.
“I’m pretty good about letting members use something. It’s sort of like a brotherhood here. We all really like each other and understand each other. We trust each other with our tools.”
Atlas Motorworks is a one stop shop for anyone's motorcycle needs and at the same time encourages the do-it-yourself attitude. Atlas Motorworks is the type of place that feels familiar to those accustomed to vintage motorcycles, but is also a judgement free zone that is set up to provide guidance to those looking to get their hands dirty for the first time. I encourage everyone to check out Atlas Motorworks as well as Fort Houston through the links below.