He simply adopted the nickname he’d been given.

“It was a joke,” Cook said. “When I worked at Troy Waller everyone starting calling me too broke. I even have it on my personal bike license plate.”

2 Broke Customs it became.

Cook opened the business in November 2020 at another location. In December 2022 he purchased the building at 709 S. 25th St. and began operating there in April 2023.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nolan Cook, owner of 2 Broke Customs, rides a slightly customized 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide ST down South 25th Street near his shop at 709. S. 25th St.

He has a pretty versatile shop.

“We can do just about anything,” he said. “Custom paint, custom fabrication, motor work, suspension and dyno testing. We also do car audio.”

Of course in addition to the custom work, there is routine bike work — new tires, tuneups, oil changes and pretty much anything a rider wants done.

“We do a lot of maintenance work,” he said. “Tire changes, custom suspension.”

Cook previously worked at Troy Waller Auto Body for seven years. The business closed with the death of Waller. Cook custom painted while he was there.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
2 Broke Customs technician Keagan Bianchi works on replacing a motorcycle tire recently in the shop.

“I’ve always loved to paint,” Cook said. “Honestly though, the best part of this for me is meeting new people.”

He still partners with Mike Waller, who frequently comes in to help in the shop.

Cook has a simple philosophy.

“We try to make everything as nice as possible,” he said.

Cook currently has several employees on staff. He said each specializes in the areas where they are gifted.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nolan Cook, owner of 2 Broke Customs, at left, watches as his brother, Nic Ryan, prepares to test a motorcycle on the dynometer in the shop.

His custom bikes are also winners.

“We’ve won quite a few shows with our bikes,” Cook said. “We also help sponsor events.”

Cook said that most of the custom building work is done in the winter months. After all, his customers want to ride their bikes in the summer.

Cook said they work on all brands of bikes. He also has a number of used bikes for sale, both in Fort Dodge and at a dealership in South Dakota.

“We love everything on two wheels,” Cook said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nolan Cook, owner of 2 Broke Customs, shares a moment in the shop with his wife, Alyssa Cook. She does the bookkeeping working for the shop.

So is there anything with two wheels they won’t work on?

Yes, your old Schwinn — no matter how cool the banana seat might be.

“We’d refer them to Walkers Bike Shop,” he said with a smile.