Community DIY Garage Dublin Launched

TheSprocketCo

Hi all,

We've launched a community DIY garage in Dublin.

It's called 'The Sprocket Collective', and it's a not-for-profit DIY workshop and community garage located in the heart of Dublin city. We provide a shared environment, stocked full of tools and equipment, in a secure central location.

We want to enable you to learn, to work on and maintain your own motorcycle in a manner that is affordable, accessible, and inviting to everyone.

Members have their own key & alarm code and can access the space 24/7, store their bike, and use all of the tools. Plus free tea, coffee & snacks.

At the moment the space is run like a co-op, with the membership fee paying for fixed costs. As more people join, costs will go down. Several members have already contributed lots of tools etc for communal use, so big thanks to them!

There are no employees or anything, and we're not here to make a profit. In fact at the moment we make a loss every month haha, which is covered by myself & some very generous members paying extra, so we'd really love to have more people involved.

If you'd like to come down and visit, you're more than welcome! Pop us an email at thesprockethq@ gmail dot com

More info is on our website thesprocket dot co & you'll find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too.

If you've any questions just ask Thanks

KonFusion

Working links:

https://www.facebook.com/thesprockethq/

http://thesprocket.co

Thank me later

stewygriffin

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

Hi all,

We've launched a community DIY garage in Dublin.

It's called 'The Sprocket Collective', and it's a not-for-profit DIY workshop and community garage located in the heart of Dublin city. We provide a shared environment, stocked full of tools and equipment, in a secure central location.

We want to enable you to learn, to work on and maintain your own motorcycle in a manner that is affordable, accessible, and inviting to everyone.

Members have their own key & alarm code and can access the space 24/7, store their bike, and use all of the tools. Plus free tea, coffee & snacks.

At the moment the space is run like a co-op, with the membership fee paying for fixed costs. As more people join, costs will go down. Several members have already contributed lots of tools etc for communal use, so big thanks to them!

There are no employees or anything, and we're not here to make a profit. In fact at the moment we make a loss every month haha, which is covered by myself & some very generous members paying extra, so we'd really love to have more people involved.

If you'd like to come down and visit, you're more than welcome! Pop us an email at thesprockethq@ gmail dot com

More info is on our website thesprocket dot co & you'll find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too.

If you've any questions just ask Thanks

I wish you all the best with this.
Sounds good and fair play to all involved.

Wonda-Boy

Really Really hope this works out, its a fantastic idea. But of course all it takes is one or two individuals to destroy the good work done by many.

All the best with the setup.

erica74

Well this is a bloody brilliant idea!
Well done to all involved in getting it up and running and fair play to those taking the hit while you're finding your feet.
I don't live in Dublin anymore but I will be passing on the info to all my friends up there.
Best of luck

Max Headroom

Great idea...looks a bit "tight" if you don't mind me saying....how many members can it handle...?

TheSprocketCo

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

Hi all,

We've launched a community DIY garage in Dublin.

It's called 'The Sprocket Collective', and it's a not-for-profit DIY workshop and community garage located in the heart of Dublin city. We provide a shared environment, stocked full of tools and equipment, in a secure central location.

We want to enable you to learn, to work on and maintain your own motorcycle in a manner that is affordable, accessible, and inviting to everyone.

Members have their own key & alarm code and can access the space 24/7, store their bike, and use all of the tools. Plus free tea, coffee & snacks.

At the moment the space is run like a co-op, with the membership fee paying for fixed costs. As more people join, costs will go down. Several members have already contributed lots of tools etc for communal use, so big thanks to them!

There are no employees or anything, and we're not here to make a profit. In fact at the moment we make a loss every month haha, which is covered by myself & some very generous members paying extra, so we'd really love to have more people involved.

If you'd like to come down and visit, you're more than welcome! Pop us an email at thesprockethq@ gmail dot com

More info is on our website thesprocket dot co & you'll find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too.

If you've any questions just ask Thanks

Great idea, once you pay your membership how long can you leave the bike there as your working on it?

I.E if it's up on a lift and gona take a week is that ok..

Also if you decide to bring your own tools can they be left without others going near them? Whether its a note on them or whatever

TheSprocketCo

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Really Really hope this works out, its a fantastic idea. But of course all it takes is one or two individuals to destroy the good work done by many.

Thanks! We'll do our best to make sure that doesn't happen. Place is fairly locked down with CCTV, PIR sensors and what not, and we've a critical eye for who comes through the doors.

erica74 wrote: »

Well this is a bloody brilliant idea!

Thanks! We like to thing so

Max Headroom wrote: »

Great idea...looks a bit "tight" if you don't mind me saying....how many members can it handle...?

Aye, the shots don't do it justice. We need a wide angle lens or something. There's also another room towards the back and parking out the front. Come down and have a look sure!

Number of members it can handle depends on a few factors - does every member want to store their bikes there 24/7? Are they all driving Goldwings? And so on.

Space hasn't been an issue so far. If it does become an issue I'll be a happy man! ha

But so far we've had one bike 'parked/stored' inside, one being power washed in the space out the front, and 4 inside being worked on simultaneously, and nobody got in each others way.

If space becomes a problem then we'll address it, but its not an issue at the moment and I'd say it won't be until we pass 10+ members.

We're in constant contact with places like Woodstock Moto Co., Cerberus Motors, and Moto Garage Chicagoland, as well as others. They're all providing advice and guidance and are a really sound, helpful bunch.

Jamari CoolS Formula wrote: »

Great idea, once you pay your membership how long can you leave the bike there as your working on it?

I.E if it's up on a lift and gona take a week is that ok..

Also if you decide to bring your own tools can they be left without others going near them? Whether its a note on them or whatever

Good questions! Once you pay for 'The Master' membership you can store your bike there 24/7 without exception. If it's gonna be up on a lift for a week, I'd say throw it in the whatsapp group and see if anyone thinks they're also gonna need the lift that week. Prob wouldn't be an issue. If there's that big a demand we can get another lift.

And yep, you'll have your own storage with your name on it that others won't touch.

SeamusG97

Fair play to you. A great idea and an excellent way to help people to share/learn some valuable practical skills as well as promoting a sense of community and maybe have some craic as well in the meanitme.
Well Done.

Peanut2011

Wow, great idea. This will appeal to any self made mechanics who don't have the space at home to do it. I would find this very appealing but looking at the membership fee, and I know to provide this + insurance and security is expensive, you would want to be living very close to it and be using it often for it to pay off.

None the less, great idea!

Blanchy90

This is a great idea

Pelvis

You might want to get some details added to your website. For one, I have no idea where you are based from looking at it.

Also, the banner pic on your site doesn't do you any favours, it looks like a tiny garage with some tools scattered about. Get some proper pics done.

TheSprocketCo

Pelvis wrote: »

You might want to get some details added to your website. For one, I have no idea where you are based from looking at it.

Also, the banner pic on your site doesn't do you any favours, it looks like a tiny garage with some tools scattered about. Get some proper pics done.

Thanks, will do!

Aye, that pic is from our 3rd day after signing the lease. Will snap an update later.

Any other details you were looking for?

Max Headroom

Pelvis wrote: »

You might want to get some details added to your website. For one, I have no idea where you are based from looking at it.

Also, the banner pic on your site doesn't do you any favours, it looks like a tiny garage with some tools scattered about. Get some proper pics done.

I agree with this..to a degree...it looks a bit hap-hazard....its o.k looking all retro and "The Bike shed" looking but this just looks like some guy with a garage...soz....:o

BTW..i absolutely understand that youre just starting out at this venture, and fair play..wish you were on the southside tho...!!!

TheSprocketCo

Max Headroom wrote: »

I agree with this..to a degree...it looks a bit hap-hazard....its o.k looking all retro and "The Bike shed" looking but this just looks like some guy with a garage...soz....:o

Thanks. Any feedback is good.

I'll grab a better pic later. Maybe make a video.

I only had access to a DSLR for one day, the 3rd day after we signed a lease - so I agree it looks unfinished, because it is . Don't own one myself, and it's quite hard to get a decent shot on a phone. I'll see if I can borrow one again.

TheSprocketCo

Peanut2011 wrote: »

Wow, great idea. This will appeal to any self made mechanics who don't have the space at home to do it. I would find this very appealing but looking at the membership fee, and I know to provide this + insurance and security is expensive, you would want to be living very close to it and be using it often for it to pay off

I hear ya, but we figured since bike world charge 100 quid a month just to store your bike and nothing else, that we were providing a good deal. Esp considering our central location. Reckon people in the city with apartments and the like who don't have anywhere to store their bike would find it great - especially if you want to own 2 bikes or an extra project bike, which living in a flat myself I can tell you is a pain in the ass

If more people joined we'd lower the price. We're only interested in breaking even really. But it's hard to lower the price starting out. I'm already paying out of pocket every month to keep it open, and there reaches a point where I'd just be paying for people to use a garage.

And generous as I may be, I can think of much better things to spend my cash on

Also in fairness, if you were there for at least one full day every month, it'd work out at less than 10 euro an hour, which I think is pretty reasonable.

Del2005

Pelvis wrote: »

You might want to get some details added to your website. For one, I have no idea where you are based from looking at it.

Though the local scumbags already know it's not a good idea to advertise the storage location of several unattended bikes and tools.

TheSprocketCo

Del2005 wrote: »

Though the local scumbags already know it's not a good idea to advertise the storage location of several unattended bikes and tools.

Haha yep! That's exactly why we've no location up at the moment

EDIT: I've just added a map to the home page that gives a rough location. That should hopefully help prospective members get an idea of where it is, while keeping the location safe enough.

stewygriffin

May i suggest that members must show proof of ownership of bikes that are brought to the workshop.

Just for legalities sake.

TheSprocketCo

stewygriffin wrote: »

May i suggest that members must show proof of ownership of bikes that are brought to the workshop.

Just for legalities sake.

At the moment we ask for a copy of a valid ID - such as a driving licence, etc.

But aye, I get ya.

Peanut2011

I hear ya, but we figured since bike world charge 100 quid a month just to store your bike and nothing else, that we were providing a good deal. Esp considering our central location. Reckon people in the city with apartments and the like who don't have anywhere to store their bike would find it great - especially if you want to own 2 bikes or an extra project bike, which living in a flat myself I can tell you is a pain in the ass


Also in fairness, if you were there for at least one full day every month, it'd work out at less than 10 euro an hour, which I think is pretty reasonable.

I don't disagree with what you said, my personal view would be that you might get more people signing up for smaller monthly cost or per hour rate rather than the structure you have at the moment.

I fully understand the reason and would not expect anyone to pay for others to use it and when it's starting out the costs will quickly add up. While I would love to have an option to have an area like that to use, I personally would have no way of justifying paying that a month.
I really do hope this takes off. Wish you all the very best of luck.

TheSprocketCo

Peanut2011 wrote: »

I don't disagree with what you said, my personal view would be that you might get more people signing up for smaller monthly cost or per hour rate rather than the structure you have at the moment.

Thanks Peanut.

I can't think of an hourly rate that'd work without subverting the value of the full membership. For example if we did a per hour rate of a tenner, and had a monthly membership of say, 20 quid, and you spent 3 hours a month there well you'd be better off just paying for the 60 quid membership in that case.

I'm actually chatting to Woodstock Moto Co, Brother Moto, Skidmark Garage, Cerberus Moto, Lucky Wheels Garage, Hickory Union, Moto Guild and a few others across the globe. They've been very supportive and helpful, and so far have helped me come up with the current pricing structure among other things.

Will have a think about it though. I'd like for it to be accessible to everyone.

Del2005

Peanut2011 wrote: »

I don't disagree with what you said, my personal view would be that you might get more people signing up for smaller monthly cost or per hour rate rather than the structure you have at the moment.

I fully understand the reason and would not expect anyone to pay for others to use it and when it's starting out the costs will quickly add up. While I would love to have an option to have an area like that to use, I personally would have no way of justifying paying that a month.
I really do hope this takes off. Wish you all the very best of luck.

There was a share car garage setup here a few years ago and they tried pay per use, it didn't last even with a lot more amateur car mechanics looking for a lift. I think the subscription method has a better chance for a bike oriented setup in this country, especially with more people living in apartments and the lack of anywhere to legitimately lock a bike in Dublin.

Max Headroom

If too many guys just want to store their bikes there then there wont be enough room for a work shop area, my bikes would fill that space, for €100 month..totally worth it....:)

thegreatiam

Was watching this progress on from when you first brought it up, so I'm glad to see it coming to fruition.

Certainly something I'd be interested in joining.

Leaving the area next month so unfortunately can't, but I did pass the site on to a fellow biker in work.

I would love to be able to take some kind of short term, (day|week|) deal. I'm sure if you can figure it out price wise there would be loads of people interested.

I have bike storage at home, but no where to do the work, and no toolset. so a place I could go of a weekend to service the bike or some other DIY on it would be perfect for me.

a day donation of €20 for use of the facility, or something like that. you could use the donated funds to buy some equipment etc.

TheSprocketCo

thegreatiam wrote: »

I would love to be able to take some kind of short term, (day|week|) deal. I'm sure if you can figure it out price wise there would be loads of people interested.

a day donation of €20 for use of the facility, or something like that. you could use the donated funds to buy some equipment etc.

We did think about that, but were advised against it by the owners of other community garages. I like to vet everyone that comes in, and it'd be hard to do with day passes as it'd mean I'd have to go and meet them first and then give them access. I have a day job so I may not be available.

I also don't think a week deal would work, because it's only 60 for the month for our lower tier membership, so at 20 a day it'd only be good value if you knew you'd definitely only be there for one day a month, but if you're going to be there for the week sure you might as well pay for the month.

We might consider a day rate, but I'd be against someone having their own key for just the day for security reasons. So that means if you wanted to do a day pass you'd need to have a member present - in which case does that mean that member is then responsible for that person? What if they want to leave before the day pass person is done? Etc.

If we can figure out a way for it to work then we will. But until we get access control systems that work via an app or something like that, where we could give and remove access remotely, it'd be tough to do at the moment.

Also I'd be wary of how well someone coming in for the day might treat the place. Not saying yourself, but ya get me

What might work is that if an existing member wants to bring a friend or something like that, then we could do a day pass for them.

Will have a think about it. Thanks.

Peanut2011

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

What might work is that if an existing member wants to bring a friend or something like that, then we could do a day pass for them.

Are you saying one can pay only for one month they want to use it for or must be on going subscription?

Also,bee above quite, what is currently stopping existing member bringing mates in?

TheSprocketCo

Peanut2011 wrote: »

Are you saying one can pay only for one month they want to use it for or must be on going subscription?

Also,bee above quite, what is currently stopping existing member bringing mates in?

If you want to use it for a month you can just pay for a month. There's nothing stopping people bringing mates in.

Peanut2011

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

If you want to use it for a month you can just pay for a month. There's nothing stopping people bringing mates in.

Ah ok.... that makes bit more sense. Thanks.

thegreatiam

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

We did think about that, but were advised against it by the owners of other community garages. I like to vet everyone that comes in, and it'd be hard to do with day passes as it'd mean I'd have to go and meet them first and then give them access. I have a day job so I may not be available.

I also don't think a week deal would work, because it's only 60 for the month for our lower tier membership, so at 20 a day it'd only be good value if you knew you'd definitely only be there for one day a month, but if you're going to be there for the week sure you might as well pay for the month.

We might consider a day rate, but I'd be against someone having their own key for just the day for security reasons. So that means if you wanted to do a day pass you'd need to have a member present - in which case does that mean that member is then responsible for that person? What if they want to leave before the day pass person is done? Etc.

If we can figure out a way for it to work then we will. But until we get access control systems that work via an app or something like that, where we could give and remove access remotely, it'd be tough to do at the moment.

Also I'd be wary of how well someone coming in for the day might treat the place. Not saying yourself, but ya get me

What might work is that if an existing member wants to bring a friend or something like that, then we could do a day pass for them.

Will have a think about it. Thanks.

Yeah, totally.

It's a minefield alright. Only really works if there is someone on site all day.

Bring a friend or 'trusted' status would help.

Long term goals though

stewygriffin

stewygriffin wrote: »

May i suggest that members must show proof of ownership of bikes that are brought to the workshop.

Just for legalities sake.

Stewy the last thing you did to your bike yourself was stick a bit of air in the tyres, I wouldn't worry if I was you. Youd pay for someone to stick a shiny dustcap on

stewygriffin

Jamari CoolS Formula wrote: »

Stewy the last thing you did to your bike yourself was stick a bit of air in the tyres, I wouldn't worry if I was you. Youd pay for someone to stick a shiny dustcap on

Ya cheeky fecker ya,lol.

You would be surprised at the amount of work i actually do on my own bikes.
Im not just a pretty face.

stewygriffin

stewygriffin wrote: »

Ya cheeky fecker ya,lol.

You would be surprised at the amount of work i actually do on my own bikes.
Im not just a pretty face.

Im only buzzing mate, good to have ya back!

unclebill98

What a great idea. Fair play to all involved and best of luck.

Muahahaha

unclebill98 wrote: »

What a great idea. Fair play to all involved and best of luck.

Just wanted to say the same, the lads that have set this up are heroes.

TheSprocketCo

We're thinking about running some 'New Rider Classes' on a Wednesday evening. The class will be workshop based and is for people interested in getting a bike or those that have recently started riding.

We'll cover some topics like:
- Safety gear & standards
- Basic maintenance
- Tips for buying a used bike
- Pre-ride safety checks
- Motorcycle facts & myths

etc.

If you or someone you know some new rider's that'd be interested, point them at our friend face page. Thanks

We also might follow that up with some maintenance classes. How to change your oil, chain, sprockets, consumables etc. Shout if that'd be of interest too.

Paulw

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

We also might follow that up with some maintenance classes. How to change your oil, chain, sprockets, consumables etc. Shout if that'd be of interest too.

That's something I'd have an interest in. I've liked your Facebook page so will keep an eye.

Blanchy90

Id be interested in some maintenance classes

TheSprocketCo

Great! There's a wee survey here to help us get an idea of who's interested: https://sprocket2.typeform.com/to/c5xgl2

Blanchy90

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

Great! There's a wee survey here to help us get an idea of who's interested: https://sprocket2.typeform.com/to/c5xgl2

Just had a look on the facebook page and your just around the corner from my work:cool:

TallGlass

Are the fees PM or yearly?

TheSprocketCo

TallGlass wrote: »

Are the fees PM or yearly?

It's a monthly membership

http://thesprocket.co/membership.html

TheSprocketCo

TheSprocketCo wrote: »

Thanks. Any feedback is good.

I'll grab a better pic later. Maybe make a video.

Finally got around to this. I had a decent enough camera on me today so I got a couple of snaps. They're up on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/thesprockethq/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1945685019002745

I also made a video, which I'll have up on youtube once I'm done editing.

conor2469

Well done, place looks great.

Breezin

Is this gone? Looks a great idea..

H_Lime

Fantastic idea, be a shame if it didn't work over here. Anyone know if it's still live? I don't bukface so can't tell.

Breezin

H_Lime wrote: »

Fantastic idea, be a shame if it didn't work over here. Anyone know if it's still live? I don't bukface so can't tell.

Its last FB post is 2018. Just fizzled out? Pity. I've no garage, and this would be a godsend.

GBX

Their last post on Facébook was in 2018. If that was their main outlet for info, it certainly doesnt look good for it. Even if it was to keep people updated about closure over Xmas 2018, nevermind Covid-19!

conor2469

They have an instagram account. Their last post on that was 18 January 2020. They only seem to post every couple of months on their instagram, so they could very well still be active.

jim salter

Best of luck with it