Before taking my 97' evo chopper to Top Dead I spoke to Bret on the phone. He was really friendly over the phone and text me about scheduling a time to bring my bike down. This was convenient and honestly I like the personal touch. Bret is super knowledgable about Sportsters and overall motorcycle mechanical knowledge. I know enough to be dangerous but when it came to figuring out a tricky brake problem Bret opened up a can of worms but was able to track down the problem and fix it the RIGHT way. I am honestly thankful for people who are unwilling to do something wrong just because it's cheap or maybe even what you ask them to do. Bret gave me his best advice on the issue, we came up with a plan and I rode off into the sunset. I'll definitely be back and am really thankful for the help I got at TDC. read more

This was the second time I've been to Top Dead Center Cycles within the past 16 months. Brett and his wife Julie, run a top-notch motorcycle maintenance shop in Austin, Texas. I visit my son in Austin, Texas every year from Las Vegas, Nevada. I have all my bike needs fulfilled at Top Dead. I'd say that's a pretty damn good endorsement. I will be back when coming through Austin next year. read more

Top Dead Center Cycles - Motorcycle Repair Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Just picked up my 04 heritage classic from TDC , I can honestly say that she hasn't felt this good since I rode her off the showroom floor! Bret was great and honest Had been concerned about cam tensioners as I've heard of these years having issues, He inspected and let me know I was all good..Most (HD) would have tried to upsell me into work I didn't need yet. I will not be using any other shop going forward. Thanks again guys! And I'll be expecting that cold beer and or water on my next visit read more

I got my 2016 Dyna serviced here. Great service and price! I would continue taking my business here vs. the dealership!

Bret and Julie are the absolute best people, and they take even better care of your bikes!! I've been going to them for over 4 years now, and there's no one else I'd trust more than Bret and Nate to get things done PROPERLY and EFFICIENTLY on my bikes. If I could give them 100 stars I would!! Thanks for all your work guys!! read more

Top Dead Center Cycles - 1992 FXRS - Motorcycle Repair Near Me - Austin, Texas

We live in this city that has jacked up prices beyond reason and has lost so much of the community care of looking out for each other. We experience businesses across the board taking advantage, being incompetent and just not caring so I am diligent and critical when working with a business. This is what I have learned about Top Dead Center Cycles over the years. This is a local, independent, family run, small business, which means you are working directly with the owners who have their entire livelihood and reputation on the line day in and day out. They have proven over the years to be real deal honest. They will say what actually needs to be done or not done, give the best prices and they will tell you straight. There is NO sales or upselling or BS. AT ALL. No slight manipulation or pressure of any kind to steer you one way or another. They'll give their genuine opinion if you ask and often give examples of what other people have done or what other places offer for more context so you actually make your own decision. They will tell you straight if they think you should not do something, even though it means loosing money. This is rare and saves tons of time, money and possible cool points. No one knows everything and many try to pass it off or try to convince you that they know something when they don't (for a variety of self serving reasons). TDC Cycles has proven to be the most knowledgeable about the work. Bret is always learning and even partnered with the college to teach motorcycle repair classes so the next generation will learn how to do it right. If something is out of his wheelhouse or he thinks it's better for you to go somewhere else, he will tell you. The mechanics at the shop reflect this commitment to knowledge, learning and the highest quality of work so leaving my bike at this shop means I don't worry if it's done right. That is priceless to me. This shop is the most fair priced I've found. When I first worked with them I watched Julie pour over books and scour online to find the best prices for parts like she was looking for a doctor for her sick child. She worked with me based on my budget like the money was coming out of her pocket. Her knowledge is of the highest in the industry so I have complete confidence that what she says is exactly what it is. She is also one of the kindest people you'll ever meet, which for some reason to some people means that she doesn't know her stuff, but I've seen a big guy with far more attitude than character go to school when she corrected him and explained just as kindly as ever how things actually worked. Her care in every detail is genuine and thorough. Businesses usually do a bait and switch when it's time to pay and tensions arise as you feel things are being done to you. Not there. Ever. It's been years so my first experience wasn't just to give me a good impression working with a new shop or I caught her on a good day, this is how she is day in and day out. Paying is really the easiest part of the experience because you go in feeling like your child is sick and now know your bike was repaired perfectly, the price is the best it can be and you're about to ride out with total confidence. Over the years I've learned that Bret and Julie are the real deal across the board. They are down to earth, friendly, caring people with the most integrity I've ever found in a shop and of the highest level I've found in human beings. They are a family business so their kids hang out at the shop sometimes, which is great because they are learning all of these values. Investing into this small business is investing into our community and our own future. It doesn't hurt that they are the coolest couple running a shop and some of the coolest people gravitate there. I won't go ANYWHERE else because I know without a shadow of a doubt that my bike is in the best hands (literally). I have complete confidence that whatever they say will be the absolute truth and they will do whatever they can to give the best deal on parts and labor. They are a local, independent, family run, small business in this age of multinational conglomerates and chains that operate on self serving procedures instead of good, honest people. We love our bikes so we want the best. They are the best I know in every way and after years of working with them, seeing them at events, shop party and life in general, I cannot recommend this business and these people enough. - Flynn read more

Took my '02 Low Rider here on short notice. Very quick turnaround and great service at a reasonable price. Highly recommend!

Bret and Julie did an awesome job with my Sporty! I brought it in for a 883 to 1200 conversion. Ultimately did the conversion with new cams and lifters and the results were amazing. Bike is running better now than it did before I brought it in and Bret even corrected a few other small issues he found along the way. Julie kept me updated throughout the process including photos. They've earned my business for life! read more

Bret and Julie took care of cleaning up and helping me sell my Dad's pride and joy. For someone who doesn't know much about Harley's, like myself, and / or selling them I was kept in the loop every step of the way and never had a question that I was a priority of theirs. Both Julie and Bret are class acts and I'll be sending any future needs my friends or family in Austin have their way! They earned my trust by being friendly, fair priced and honest and they helped me sell my Dad's Baby painlessly! Thanks so much you two. Best of luck in the future... read more

I'm a loyal customer after just one experience with Bret and his wife, Julie, at TopDead. Bret is a motorcycle guru who brought my 05' sportster back to life. They are extremely kind and professional. Julie kept me updated each step of the way. Her warm friendly attitude made me feel welcome and apart of the family. Great shop, great people, great work! read more

Wouldn't trust my bikes with anyone else. Amazingly honest and talented, Bret and Julie are a great to work with and I recommend them to everyone. read more

Bret is a master motorcycle mechanic. Prior to opening his own shop, he graduated from MMI and was one of the lead mechanics at Cowboy Harley Davidson on South IH-35. He can do everything from a tune up to rebuilding a motor. I would take my bikes nowhere else. read more

Bike owned: 2003 FXDWG (dyna Wide Glide Twin Cam) came across this article regarding premature cam chain pad tensioner wear (focus was 2003/2004 models). http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/twin-cam-engine-mods/91607-chain-pad-tenioner-bad-rap-myth.html I'm the type that enjoys performing repairs/maintenance on everything driven but after reading the required special tools (inner cam bearing puller, cam tensioner unloader, etc) plus the lack of experience on how to check the various parts that might be suspect (cam chain, oil pump wear, lifters, etc) I decided to seek out an affordable alternative for the repair. Knowing the issue of the tensioner wearing at varied mileage (bike has 40,000 miles) I felt this may be expensive if the chain wore through the pad and started "chewing" through the metal backing then I'm starting to see $$$$$. The only way to verify is to pull cover and do a visual. If the pads are worn but haven't yet hit metal then spending the $$ lands in the bracket of spend a little now or a hell of a lot later. Talking to the Harley dealer I was quoted about $600 to $800 total. I searched yelp and came upon Top Dead Center Cycles run/own by Bret Wilk a certified Harley mechanic (recently split from the dealer). Discussed with Bret and he confirmed that he's seen bad tensionsers on bikes with as little as 17000 miles. I'm screwed (I told myself) - short story long, decided to let Bret have a go with the repair. He replace cam tensionsrs, bearings, lifters, gaskets and fluids (also upgraded to 205 cams). Got the bike back a couple a days later and found the work performed was above expectations (bike was picked up & delivered also). While the tensionsers were worn bad they hadn't yet "hit metal" so luck was there for sure. He did full service on bike, making all required adjustments. Bottom line: on test ride, bike felt brand new. Unbelievable what a difference it is now, bike is ridden daily and I really didn't realize the clutch, brakes, throttle needed adjustments. 2 Thumps up for Top Dead Center Cycles (and the owner Bret Wilk). Highly recommend. In fact I've decided to let him perform my scheduled routine maintenance from this point on. Very professorial operation. http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/twin-cam-engine-mods/91607-chain-pad-tenioner-bad-rap-myth.html read more

Bret and Julie are awesome! I took my Sportster in to them for repair and I was notified every step of the way. Julie kept me up to date with problems, recommendations etc. and Bret had me back on the road in no time. Extremely honest and fair. read more

Bret and the TDC cycles crew are some of the most honest stand up people you can deal with. Not only were their prices fair but they went above and beyond to make sure my repair was done correctly. You don't find guys like Bret very often! I would highly recommend them to any one who needs repairs or parts. read more