BlackKat's builds

[brad black]

7 sets of wheels!  wow.  it worked.

The short response to your statements...This isn't the only bike we've built. Everything is on it for a reason and the things that aren't on it or aren't changed are that way also for a reason as well. Its not because they were not thought about...

i didn't mean to give the impression that i thought it wasn't thought about, etc.  it was just my thoughts on your bike (again, opinion, to be ignored, etc) and then i got into rambling.  the previous boss i had who was the force behind the modded bikes we did - the monster monster, a few bmw - once replied to my comment on his paintjob on one of them "i don't care if you don't like it, i do, and it doesn't matter anyway as it's different and that's the point".

the cafe racer show annoys me somewhat for what it leaves out, but at least there is a show called cafe racer on mainstream tv.  lots of people seem to be slamming the show and the people who run it in forums (even the show forum!), but without it, the scene loses a massive amount of public exposure.  i guess it's a case of show me a niche tv show like this without massive compromises to make it work/sell/survive/generate revenue.

kind of like building bikes for events to show off products.

[brad black]

You are the Brad Black. I read your blog and my eyes gloss over. There's layers of knowledge, depths that I read but don't understand. Probably never will.

You're analysis definitely reads of someone who's been there, done that. Only experience gives you hindsight on what to expect and what to appreciate after a decision is made.
And totally agree with your comment about putting your stuff out there, for every Tom, Dick and Harry to critique or praise, for better or worse.

So just to clarify let me see if I understand your point in its most basic sense:

If you mod a bike with boltons don't add things you can't remove.
That costs money when you sell.

If you mod a bike with things you can't remove, go balls to the wall.
That costs money, a lot more money, but the point is to go all out, not to make back money.

Is that about right?

I'll keep your perspective on a build on my next project. Definitely a fresh way of looking at things that I had not considered, it's worth remembering.

One question though, did you figure out this mantra the first time around or the second?

it's not really a mantra, more wasted time and money.  but then again, i wouldn't want to be claiming undue importance on my opinion or telling you what to think.

i couldn't help but think of this earlier.  don't put it on the wall if you're not prepared......

[Pedro-bot]

 

'Round these parts we call those cats "haters."

 

[BlackKat]

xxx

[brad black]

to get completely off track....

there's this.  the first part really sets the scene for me, and the speech in the second part is great.  imo.

[Dellikose]

What are your plans for the bike Kevin?

Is it going to be at the dealership for a while so I can come in a get a better look?

[Grampa]

Never let a cartoon rat write your mission statement.

[brad black]

Never let a cartoon rat write your mission statement.

really?  i thought a cartoon rat would be the ideal author for one of those pompous pieces of public masturbation.  do people actually read them?  and what are they going to say?  "our aim is to screw you over for as much as possible and do a runner with your cash before you've worked it out"  pfffffft.  please.

it's like stating you meet iso 9001 or whatever it is.  just because you claim to adhere to an international std for processing complaints doesn't mean everything you do or sell isn't crap.  it just means you have a person specifically employed to tell those who complain to piss off in a most polite fashion.

[brad black]

my apologies to blackkat for ruining his thread.

sorry.

[Grampa]

really?  i thought a cartoon rat would be the ideal author for one of those pompous pieces of public masturbation.  do people actually read them?  and what are they going to say?  "our aim is to screw you over for as much as possible and do a runner with your cash before you've worked it out"  pfffffft.  please.

it's like stating you meet iso 9001 or whatever it is.  just because you claim to adhere to an international std for processing complaints doesn't mean everything you do or sell isn't crap.  it just means you have a person specifically employed to tell those who complain to piss off in a most polite fashion.

[JSouth]

I like the headlight, would love it on my 1100 evo. I only use the bikini fairing if I plan on being on the interstate for a significant time, so I'm sure I'd have to do without or find another way. Amazing how that tiny piece of plastic cuts the air. Maybe it's all in my head, I don't know. Just know the headlight looks good.

[Curmudgeon]

I like the headlight, would love it on my 1100 evo. I only use the bikini fairing if I plan on being on the interstate for a significant time, so I'm sure I'd have to do without or find another way. Amazing how that tiny piece of plastic cuts the air. Maybe it's all in my head, I don't know. Just know the headlight looks good.

It's not in your head. Ducati has a good wind tunnel, and your Evo headlight, fairing and mirrors were developed in combination there. Fantastically quiet air at 70 - 80 MPH compared to my T100 which feels and sounds like a hurricane at that speed.

[BlackKat]

xxx

[Rudemouthsky]

It's a shame Blackkat (aka Kevin Butler) deleted all his posts and ran off. He didn't and has never built anything. In fact his dealership (Northern Ohio Ducati) didn't even do *any* of the mechanical or performance work involved in these "builds". I think he may have bolted on the mirrors, that would be the extent of his "building". Is there anything this guy doesn't lie about? Are his deleted posts cached on a server somewhere, able to be brought back? They oughtta be. Shine a clearer light on him and all his BS.