What is a "Factory Custom"?
#31
12-19-2009 | 01:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: MD just outside DC
Shucks thanks guys.. 
OP I understood exactly what you were saying.. My point partly was what the heck does it matter if people call their bike a custom. For some bikes custom is part of the name given by the factory. And for me since I do not have the tools or the talent for wrenching adding those pieces onto a bike would have cost more. For some it is what they have done to their bikes. For some they have the money or the talent to build a bike from scratch. Frankly the word custom applies for each of these but in very different ways.
My outlook if it makes someone happy great.
OP I understood exactly what you were saying.. My point partly was what the heck does it matter if people call their bike a custom. For some bikes custom is part of the name given by the factory. And for me since I do not have the tools or the talent for wrenching adding those pieces onto a bike would have cost more. For some it is what they have done to their bikes. For some they have the money or the talent to build a bike from scratch. Frankly the word custom applies for each of these but in very different ways.
My outlook if it makes someone happy great.
#32
12-19-2009 | 02:57 PM
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 722
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From: Las Vegas
This is an old argument.
Just bringing up a one of a kind fabricated scoot vs. something that is mass produced. Big Dogs and Big Bear Choppers for example are considered custom cycles ... yet considering the model they are pretty much built the same with different paint schemes. They all use parts installed from the same after market companies that we can buy from.
If you go to a local bike show you see the same Big Dog or Big Bear that can be purchased from a custom bike dealer entered into a local show. Hell some people just buy a "custom" scoot from the dealer and enter them into a show without doing any further mods to them. Some of the owners look like they just came from the show room floor and left the price tags on their bikes.
That's a good question though as to how much modifications one must do to consider their bike a custom. In this era of prefabricated parts nothing is really original. The builders who fabricate their own parts are the true craftsman, as anybody can go out and buy parts and put something together.
Cheers
Just bringing up a one of a kind fabricated scoot vs. something that is mass produced. Big Dogs and Big Bear Choppers for example are considered custom cycles ... yet considering the model they are pretty much built the same with different paint schemes. They all use parts installed from the same after market companies that we can buy from.
If you go to a local bike show you see the same Big Dog or Big Bear that can be purchased from a custom bike dealer entered into a local show. Hell some people just buy a "custom" scoot from the dealer and enter them into a show without doing any further mods to them. Some of the owners look like they just came from the show room floor and left the price tags on their bikes.
That's a good question though as to how much modifications one must do to consider their bike a custom. In this era of prefabricated parts nothing is really original. The builders who fabricate their own parts are the true craftsman, as anybody can go out and buy parts and put something together.
Cheers
#33
12-19-2009 | 03:56 PM
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
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From: Berwick, Pa
#34
12-19-2009 | 04:10 PM
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Road Captain
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From: Las Vegas
So, how many of the posters in this thread have a "one of a kind fabricated scoot"? Most likely it is a very small number. So, I guess that means that none of our bikes are custom, or customized?
But just so I don't offend anyone, what should I call my bike in the future?
But just so I don't offend anyone, what should I call my bike in the future?
I would say your bike is a custom chopper. You started with a stock frame had it chopped and raked. You have a 250 rear wheel. Yours is one of the most custom jobs on here. I'm not trying to raise hell about the "custom" designated sportster just the local yuppies around here that win a bike show with a complete stock bike while I have tons of hours and hard work chopping, painting, and being creative. Thats why I'm pissed.
#35
12-19-2009 | 04:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: MD just outside DC
So, how many of the posters in this thread have a "one of a kind fabricated scoot"? Most likely it is a very small number. So, I guess that means that none of our bikes are custom, or customized?
But just so I don't offend anyone, what should I call my bike in the future?
But just so I don't offend anyone, what should I call my bike in the future?
I think your bike is hot..
#37
12-19-2009 | 05:30 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 657
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From: Daytona Beach
I would say your bike is a custom chopper. You started with a stock frame had it chopped and raked. You have a 250 rear wheel. Yours is one of the most custom jobs on here. I'm not trying to raise hell about the "custom" designated sportster just the local yuppies around here that win a bike show with a complete stock bike while I have tons of hours and hard work chopping, painting, and being creative. Thats why I'm pissed.
I couldn't give a fk what anyone rides or calls their bike..............or my bike
I have my bike for one purpose.....to ride it
#38
12-19-2009 | 06:09 PM
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
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From: Berwick, Pa
I do know what you mean when you try to compare your bike against a $30,000 chopper. But hey, we've got a lot less $$ in ours, than they have in theirs! And you have more time in your bike than most other people here. And it shows too. I personally liked it better with that sick exhaust you had before....but hey, it's still all good.
But seriously, don't worry about the yuppies....you got a cool ride. Just be proud of it, and don't sweat their big buck choppers. It's apples to oranges buddy!
#39
12-19-2009 | 08:13 PM
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Road Captain
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From: Las Vegas
Pissed? what? you want a medal?.............There are ALOT of people doing the same thing out there and have been for a long time.Some go along quietly and enjoy what they do,do it for themselves and it usually shows,and some have something to prove or need an "attaboy".If your looking to win a bike show or get attention your in it for all the wrong reasons.As a matter of fact this thread seems like your looking for attention.Don't get hung up on lables.Do what you do and don't worry about anyone else.
I couldn't give a fk what anyone rides or calls their bike..............or my bike
I have my bike for one purpose.....to ride it
I couldn't give a fk what anyone rides or calls their bike..............or my bike
I have my bike for one purpose.....to ride it
#40
12-19-2009 | 11:14 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 54
From: Vallejo, California
hey goingsideways.. I guess that your original post wasn't specific enough about the issue with the mostly idiotic "Custom" chopper riders around town (I know them really well, I live in South Beach FL)... those "bikers" and their expensive choppers only used on Sundays to ride to the local hot spot for "Brunch" ( Brunch?? what the hell???.. real bikers don't do "Brunch"!!!) .... the same posers who look down on you each time you pull next to them at the traffic light.. the same brainless arrogant bitches who never ever stop by your scooter at a biker gathering to ask you about how you modified your ride.. why? because in their peanut sized, arthritic brains they believe are in touch with some mythical biker god, who granted them Demigod status ... heck... they can spend their entire Sunday sipping organic iced tea in the Cabana... I'll be riding with my buddies...
I guess the more we modify our bikes, the more custom they are... mine became "custom by accident" when my rear fender went flying on the highway (I was rushing to get on the road and forgot to tighten the screws)
Hey Liz.. are you single?... :-)
I guess the more we modify our bikes, the more custom they are... mine became "custom by accident" when my rear fender went flying on the highway (I was rushing to get on the road and forgot to tighten the screws)
Hey Liz.. are you single?... :-)