About
Based in northern California's San Francisco east bay, Performance Concepts was established to
serve the needs of racers, street riders and off-road enthusiasts. Offering services from high
performance engine building to custom fabrication. While the Performance Concepts name is
relatively new, Patrick Ho (owner/operator) has been involved in many forms of motor sports
competition helping racers in both the motorcycle and auto racing community since the late 80's.
You might remember Patrick from R & D Cycle Performance, Racer X, or even California Custom
back when he was building cars. With nearly 20 years of engine building and fabrication in the motor
sports industry - he brings all of his experience, knowledge and skills to every job. Whether
you're a national level or regional club racer, a daily street rider, weekend off-roader - everyone
gets the very best, all the time, every time.
History
The beginnings of Performance Concepts can be traced as far back to when Patrick Ho was just a boy. Fascinated by all things mechanical, his aptitude began to show as early as age 7. He could often be found disassembling whatever he could get his hands on just to see how things worked. It was this mechanical inclination and a strong desire to create which led him towards custom cars. At age 15 he was learning fabrication, painting and engine work at various hot rod and restoration shops. By 18 he was building full customs and doing restoration work for his own clients - for events like GoodGuys, Oakland Roadster Show, Pebble Beach, Silverado, etc.
He bought his first street bike in 1988, a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster and promptly transformed it
into a cafe style racer with help from K. C. Gager of BRG Racing. It was later displayed it in the
Cycle World Readers Collection at the 1989 International Motorcycle Show. Patrick's creation also
gained some notoriety among local sport bike riders, as a Harley that could run with some the best
Japanese replica-racers of the era. It was during this time, he left the automotive world to pursue
his passion for motorcycles, building custom bikes and preparing machines for local road racers.
In 1992 he partnered with friend and mechanic Jerome Risby of Racer X and specialized in engine
& suspension tuning. While enjoying some success, he soon realized the need to expand his
knowledge and skills.
In 1994, Patrick was given an opportunity that would become known to him as "the education".
He went to work with and studied under master mechanic & engine builder Robert Downing
of R & D Cycle Performance. During the late 70's and early 80's, Robert was an accomplished
motorcycle drag racer and later went on to become a premier engine builder. Robert's rather
diverse background in all things racing, extensive knowledge of thermal dynamics and air & fluid
flow - put him in the company of the best of the best. Robert's teaching style as well as his constant
involvement as builder and tuner in many forms of powersports competition on both a local and national
level - is what quickly cleared the path for Patrick to excel in the specialized discipline of race engine
development. This is where Patrick honed his engine building skills and gained invaluable experience
working in the environs of professional competition through Robert's involvement in AMA 250 Grand Prix,
AMA Superbike and NHRA drag racing, as well as much of the local racing scene. R & D Cyle Performance was a hub for various racing disciplines to converge,
they built an tuned engines for - road race, drag race, dwarf car, motocross, dual sport endurance, atv, desert racing,
personal watercraft, mini/youth and so on.
In 2000, Patrick took a break from the demands of wrenching, shop management and racing to
decompress and relax awhile. Later that year, he established Performance Concepts. He's since, earned a
reputation in the racing community, for getting proven results and building reliable power.
As a result, he's become both a subcontractor and consultant to a number of bay area shops
for cylinder head work, race engine development and custom fabrication. All the while,
continuing to develop his craft and strive for excellence.
Over the years, Patrick's dedication to the work, has contributed to several championships
and numerous podium finishes in motorcycle road racing and dwarf car racing. He credits his mentor, Robert
Downing for much of his success, stating -
"Robert has and continues to be one of the most positive influences, a source of
inspiration and a great friend. He's always given freely and generously in sharing his knowledge,
time and energy. He's imparted me with the wealth of his knowledge and helped me to develop the
skills to effectively apply it. Moreover, helping me to see things from the proper perspective...
That it's about continually gaining knowledge, understanding and sharing that in a way that's
helpful and positive. Not just in working on motorcycles, but more as a paradigmatic model to
strive for in life."
The rest has yet to be written....
Mission
The Performance Concepts mission is to maintain with vigilance, an unwavering commitment to provide the highest levels of performance, attention to detail and quality of service that can possibly delivered to every project we do. Above all else, our customer's safety and satisfaction always comes first - period.