In 1936 Century Motorcycles began as Century Signs owned and operated by the legendary William Cottom. Being a motorcycle racer / rider / connoisseur, he decided with some of his motorcycle friends to have a clubhouse. They became the Centurions M/C club based in Southern California in the little town of San Pedro. Soon enough Bill found that the little shop on 13th Street was too small to continue with working on and storing motorcycles. He was running the motorcycle business out of the shop on 13th street concurrently with his sign business. He separated the two, moving the motorcycle shop to 17th Street and leaving the sign business in its original location. Over the years he was a BSA, Triumph, Norton, Vincent and BMW dealership.
He had 2 children William JR and Gwendolyn Jane aka Cindy Rutherford. William Jr. was killed in action in Korea in 1952 a terrible loss for William. The Motorcycle shop thrived in the 60's and 70's and 80's. Bill would ride his 1955 Vincent Black Lightning all over racing other riders in the area for pink slips and that is how the little shop on 13th street gained it's motorcycle inventory. Cindy Rutherford was always somewhat involved being that her father was owner but never really stepped into the shop until around 1976 which is when she was in the shop full time. She brought with her a magnetic personality that customers endeared. Her quick learning and talent for people was exactly what the motorcycle industry thirsted for. Over the years she was known as the Queen of Classic Motorcycles and was always helping people with their classic bikes, meeting and becoming friends with people from all over the world. Her big list of friends could go on and on there was really not too many people in the industry that did not know or have not heard of Cindy Rutherford of Century Motorcycles.
Over the years there were numerous gatherings of motorcycle enthusiasts at the shop. It was not uncommon to be able to meet and hang out with the likes of Jay Leno, Nicolas Cage, Billy Zane, Jim Hunter and more. Everyone knew of long friendship of Cindy and Kenny Howard aka Von Dutch.
Century Motorcycles has been in the business to help all with any needs they may have in the use of motorcycles. The full line motorcycle shop with 62 years of experience is now owned and operated by Tim Hickerson, Cindy's youngest of two sons. With 3 generations inside the doors of Century Motorcycles you will be greeted by Tim or his crew and receive the best care for whatever your needs may be. Century services all makes and models and specialize in Classic British Motorcycles by the likes of Triumph, BSA, Norton and Vincent's.
Don’t forget about the racing history. We still race every weekend with our kids and several team riders out of the shop. A big part of our happiness comes from being at the race track week in and week out. We race motocross events, Gran prix events, flat track racing, speedway racing. Stop by and say hello if you have the time.