Revving Up Renovo: Justin Gregory Brings Passion and Expertise to PA Wilds’ Off-Road Boom
By Kevin Rauch
RENOVO – The PA Wilds allow the adventurous to explore endless back roads and trails by off road riders of all kinds. The tremendous growth over the past few years here in Renovo has led native southern York County resident Justin A Gregory to plant roots here as he hopes to combine his passion for working on all types of vehicles into a profitable business but more importantly to provide a much-needed asset to the town.
Gregory has no doubt that western Clinton County will benefit being at the epicenter of the PA Wilds.
“Renovo really is a central hub, just like the railways of the past that built this town,” said Gregory from his shop inside of the Service Garage on 6th and Huron in Renovo. “Three to four hours in every direction is a major city with people daydreaming of a beautiful place like this to ride, they will need to get gas, stay overnight in hotels, eat in restaurants and will inevitably need services on their vehicles” Justin said of the exploding outdoor lifestyle. “I’d like to offer my unique set of skills and services here in town”.
Gregory said also playing part in the decision to move his family back to Pennsylvania was his lifelong love of the wilderness growing up hunting fishing backpacking camping and of course riding.
The PA Wilds CBD RX or Backcountry discovery route system is rapidly expanding toward 1000 miles of roads and trails mapped out around Renovo. Dual sport and adventure motorcycle riders are traveling from everywhere to get in on the action. Justin has pegged this as another source of revenue for the town and a need for his business.
Between his profession and interests, Renovo seems like the perfect place to set up shop.
“I grew up on a farm outside Glen Rock, PA where I learned to ride at age 3, I enjoyed everything with an engine,” he recalled. “Naturally I began working on my ATV’s, dirt bikes and snowmobiles very early on, it’s all that I wanted to do in my spare time as a child”.
“My father owned Gregory and Sons Inc, he had me operating equipment at age 6, repairing heavy equipment and diesel trucks was part of the job” he offered on his early start. “I continued to ride every minute I could in my late teens through my early 20s, I raced the Big East snow cross division traveling to the northeast on weekends through the winter months. As the weather changed, I’d be transitioning onto dirt bikes through the spring summer and fall, at one point building a motocross track at our farm so I could ride every night after work.
“Riding and wrenching was my life” he summed up his youth.
All these experiences are what eventually led the York man to Florida for the first time in 2004 when he enrolled into American Motorcycle Institute in Daytona Beach. The budding mechanic wanted to set in stone his mechanical knowledge with a degree at age 24. At AMI Justin studied under Harley-Davidson Master PhD Kurt Heinrich. Heinrich wrote many books and the master Harley-Davidson class. Kurt lit the flame inside Justin for vintage motorcycles.
During school he bought an old, dismantled Triumph chopper which they rebuilt while in class, a prized possession he still owns the bike today. Graduation came in 2005 just in time to show his chopper at Daytona bike week. This was the turning point in his motorcycle life Gregory recalled.
With a degree in hand, the graduate returned home to York and started Jag Old School Choppers LLC, continuing to work for his father until his unfortunate passing in 2007 at age 52. This was a devastating loss for the young man and he had a big decision to make. Ultimately, he decided to make his way out of construction and into motorcycle builder full time. It was a big sacrifice, but it had always been his passion.
“I sold everything, then began buying, restoring and building custom motorcycles. I traveled the country going to shows, meeting other builders and basically living the life to learn all I could” he says of his early dedication. “I got my hands on everything motorcycles from 1910 to present, the industry took me in and truly is a motorcycle family. I am proud to say I have met and worked next to the best in the business”.
During winter months Gregory made Florida his home then traveled the country working and promoting his business, until 2016 when he settled in Daytona Beach. There he set up a full-time shop, building vintage triumph and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Justin also became involved with the beginning of the Billy Lanes Sons of Speed Vintage Boardtrack Racing in 2017. An elite group of builders and riders of vintage Harley Davidson’s and Indians from 1910 to 1950. He is a pit crew mechanic for multiple teams, but his main crew is Empire Cycles out of St. Petersburg FL.
Of the daredevil racing style, Justin explained “this is real dangerous outlaw racing, no breaks, no gears, no clutch, push to start with only a kill switch. “It is high speed and intense I really enjoy it.”
Gregory ultimately stayed in Daytona after meeting his girlfriend Brittany and her two boys in 2018. They made a life there but always knew it wasn’t there forever home. After a friend, Justin Lynn, moved back to Renovo from Florida, he advised Gregory of the opportunities in the PA Wilds. Despite the success of his new business, Gregory’s willingness to constantly expand his horizons led him back to PA.
Early in 2023 Gregory and family visited the area and saw the unique chance to enjoy outdoor life and expand the business. They immediately purchased a home in town and remodeled it. They moved their family here to start a new chapter in June of last year, recognizing this was a place for Brittany and their boys to thrive in small town living.
Gregory set up shop in the Service Garage, whose large workshop had been emptied for a decade. Officially opening in November, the business is still in its infancy, but the mechanic not only has a plan for off road vehicles motorcycles but is also going to be servicing daily drivers.
“I’m going to offer basic services on vehicles- fluid changes, tire changes, and other minor repairs. I also have a select group of trustworthy and knowledgeable mechanics from around town if you need something done just ask, that’s what I’m here for.”
Gregory’s vision is to be sure that if motorcycles, UTV, ATV’s and dirt bikes break down around the Renovo area, he is here to help.
“That is my goal to service these vehicles and get them back exploring the PA Wilds. I don’t want their trip ruined over something I can fix” summed up the newest Renovo business owner.
If your vehicle needs any kind of repair service contact Justin Gregory at 717- 659-2715. His experience is matched only by his friendly demeanor. He’s ready to serve you at the Service Garage right here in town.
