I was a little bit in shock when Don Baumunk, Founder and President of Fat Katz sent me this evening the following email. Most of you have a tendency to think that all businesses for sale are the consequence of our economic recession. Not so. A lot of us are close to or reaching retirement age…And like anyone, if we can financially retire, why not? There is a lot of discussion about the aging of bikers and the problem it creates for our OEM and after-market industry. But we forget – sometimes it’s better this way- that we all aged at the same speed…
Personally, I am sad to see so many with who I have worked closely during 20 years, forced or not, leaving the business. Time is flying and we forgot about it. Sometimes I feel a little bit lonely seeing old industry friends go away, even if they deserve their retirement. And to tell you the truth, I am also a little bit sad not seeing yet clearly among the less than 35-year old those who are going to replace us. To conclude Don, I want to tell you that I enjoyed working with you during the last 2 decades, and this since our 1st “crazy” aluminum gas tank. Do you remember? Best to you and your family.
“Cyril, Fat Katz Inc. is for sale due to old age of the owners. We are offering the complete business including all of the fabricating equipment, fender tooling and tank stamping dies for $385,000. The sale would include the rights to the Fat Katz name and website and all contacts and vendors. Fat Katz has been the leader in setting trends in the custom motorcycle business for the past 20 years. We have enjoyed every minute of this ride and meeting so many great friends and customers. Contact info is below. Thanks Cyril for the great work”. In God we trust. Don Baumunk, President Fat Katz Inc. Grass Valley, Ca. 95949, 530-273-2212
Don,
I wish you much luck in the sale or the company and your Von Dutch collections. You have made some amazing gas tanks for us over the past years and I must say the work you do with the aluminum is amazing.
Good luck!!!
Conrad Nicklus
Don,
Those Custom Tank are art, with a capital “A”
The concept of a “retired artist” is a contradiction in terms.
(sort-a like “junkie” and “cold turkey”)
People who do that caliber work may slow down, but they never really stop.
(Not until they keel over, anyway)
Good luck slowing down……….. 🙂
-nicker-
don..your awesome, wish i had the capital i am thinking of moving anyway..good luck with the sale. it was always a pleasure to work with you. good luck in the future
Don,
I wish you good luck for the sale…. your work is amazing… all the best for you future..
Wow!!!!!! I just talked to Don for 15-20 minutes late yesterday afternoon and he mentioned nothing of his move to “retire”. I was totally shocked when Conrad came downstairs last night and said “You are not going to believe what I just read on Cyril’s site ….”. I repeat: Wow!
I, like Cyril, look back after “all these years” and say where has the time gone? It doesn’t seem possible that I have known and dealt with Don and the crew at Fat Katz (D&D) for almost 2 decades. I am having very mixed emotions over this news. While I am truly happy for my friend Don and his family with this announced retirement I, like Cyril, am deeply saddened by this turn of events. I feel like I am losing yet another member of the motorcycle family. Further, like Cyril, I do not see anyone in the under 35 year old group that shows much promise of stepping into the shoes of the retiring “Masters” of this industry.
Don was my mentor when I first made the decision to jump into this industry on a full time basis. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I pestered this man on the telephone asking questions nor can I begin to tell you how considerate and patient he was with me. Not once has he ever said “Jeeez you are dumb as a rock! Let me explain this one more time for you.”. Hell, I still pester Don today asking questions and advice from him. Isn’t it funny how the more things change the more they stay the same! All these years later and I am still looking to Don for advice!
I think of all the times I have sent Don scraps of cardboard taped together with radiuses, marks and dimensions of a gas tank I need him to build for me. In every case I think “This time he won’t hit the mark.”…. and each time he has never ceased to amaze me by building exactly what I asked for. The quality of his work is unsurpassed. Man, I don’t know what I am going to do now ….. who am I going to call and say “Don, I need this tank ASAP …. Like yesterday if possible.”…. and Don always says “I’ll do my best.” …. and he does and I have yet to be late with a build due to any gas tank hold ups! Thanks Buddy.
One more item I have never mentioned to Don ….. the first gas tank I had you build …. when it arrived I was totally amazed! This amazing aluminum gas tank arrived and I was in awe. I must have shown that gas tank to fifty people before I could bring myself to start the paint process on it.
I believe Nicker said it best …. “The concept of a “retired artist” is a contradiction in terms.” and “People who do that caliber work may slow down, but they never really stop.”
Therefore all that remains to be said from me is: GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SLOW DOWN AND THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND ALL THESE YEARS!
Over & out,
Jeff
Jeff. Cyril gets all the scoops!
Don and Darlin, my heart is breaking. All these years, with your premier work, will he sadly missed.
I don’t know what to say except having friends like you has been a blessing. Your workmanship will be in the hall of fame. Missing you already
ATLAS
Great! good luck with your slow down and thank you for being my friend all this days….
Wow, I’ve used Don’s pieces of art of many of my builds and really enjoy doing business with them. I’m doing a project with one of his one off gas tanks now. Always knew no matter how mild or wild we needed to go they could do the job for us with a great quality tank or set of fenders. I’m starting to feel like Cyril, a little lonely with so many of my friends and people I’ve worked with over the past 20 years starting to move on. Hope you do well Don.
Goodbye don,ur work was amazing.chopper industry will miss u.
If anyone is looking for tank and fender tooling, I heard Kyle from Independent Gas Tank still has 99% of all his tooling.He’s out of the industry , but anyone could save some BIG $$$$$$. I think his e-mail is still steeltanks@aol.com I know his tooling is made out of billet steel and not aluminum. It may be something to look into for someone that wants to build there own tanks and fenders not to mention sell to everyone else.
Mike out
I am using these tanks and fender for the 1st time on my War Eagle build—-I just said to my guys I will never use another company for my sheetmetal!!! I know the purchase of the buisness will not include Dons GOD GIVEN TALENT—its a shame—God Bless and Enjoy your RETIREMENT