How to build motorcycles for a living

[Rudemouthsky]

Those Brass Balls bikes are reasonably priced, if that was a style I liked...but I dont.  I don't think I'd put any more undeserved cash in Toby Keith's pocket anyway 

[brad black]

it's kind of refreshing to see people quoting prices.  i remember even 10 years ago garden cycle were listing a v7 resto at $20k or so, and copping a whole lot of flak for it from the moronic "i could do it for 2" brigade.  nothing custom, just a resto.  and it was a realistic price.  it's all labour time, and $100 an hour adds up.

the issue with any of these bikes is that in the configurations shown, in au at least, none of them are registerable.  i don't know how they get around that in the usa.

[Rudemouthsky]

the issue with any of these bikes is that in the configurations shown, in au at least, none of them are registerable.  i don't know how they get around that in the usa.

Differs from state to state of course, but motorcycles are still dealt with in a pretty "wild west" fashion here. Especially custom bikes...they're even easier... don't even need horn or turn signals on those. And emissions checks are unheard of, except in California.  Cars are a different story but bikes are a breeze.

[Speedbag]

Differs from state to state of course, but motorcycles are still dealt with in a pretty "wild west" fashion here. Especially custom bikes...they're even easier... don't even need horn or turn signals on those. And emissions checks are unheard of, except in California.  Cars are a different story but bikes are a breeze.

Yep, here in MN it's pretty easy. As long as you can prove where the main components came from when it comes to inspection/titling and have receipts, it's a free for all.

[Rudemouthsky]

I'll be finding out first hand here soon. My "rebuild" turned out to be building a brand new bike. NOS frame, completely different motor. The only thing making it over to my "NOS 2000 M944SS" is some random hardware. Not even sure if the motor serial # is going to survive the powder coating...

[Speedbag]

Hint: they can be a little pissy if they can't see the case numbers clearly..... 

[thorn14]

+1. The CHP officer wasn't impressed with my suggestion to do a little 1st grade trick to see my frame VIN.



He suggested sand paper instead.

[koko64]

Differs from state to state of course, but motorcycles are still dealt with in a pretty "wild west" fashion here. Especially custom bikes...they're even easier... don't even need horn or turn signals on those. And emissions checks are unheard of, except in California.  Cars are a different story but bikes are a breeze.

I love your country!

[brad black]

if you're going to bend the law, make it as easy as possible for those you have to placate to do their job.

[Privateer]

I think part of the problem is the dilution of the term 'custom.'  I always do an /eyebrow when I see "custom wheels" and really they're just off the shelf.

To me, custom means "this stuff doesn't belong on this bike, but I made it work."

[Rudemouthsky]

I think part of the problem is the dilution of the term 'custom.'  I always do an /eyebrow when I see "custom wheels" and really they're just off the shelf.

To me, custom means "this stuff doesn't belong on this bike, but I made it work."

What about, say; a '96 900ss engine with a big bore kit in a 2000 M600 frame with an S2R front end with an aftermarket valve & spring cartridge with aftermarket wheels and a tail chop? The parts all basically bolt together without being made to work...would that be a custom bike? 😈

[Speeddog]

That's a "Mechanic's Special".

[lawbreaker]

What about, say; a '96 900ss engine with a big bore kit in a 2000 M600 frame with an S2R front end with an aftermarket valve & spring cartridge with aftermarket wheels and a tail chop? The parts all basically bolt together without being made to work...would that be a custom bike? 😈

... I'd call it FRANKENDUC

[Speeddog]

That's a "Mechanic's Special".

Actually, upon further thought, I'd call it a "Special".
A collection of mostly bolt-together parts with a specific theme or style in mind.

This is a "Mechanic's Special".
A collection of mostly bolt-together parts, primarily selected for function.

The title says 1998 M750, but there's quite a bit of stuff that's not OEM that year.
IE, the original first generation seat had turned to wood, so I fitted a second gen seat that doesn't match the tank cutouts.
The tail had been chopped, and I didn't have a first gen one laying around, but I did have a second gen one, so on it went.

[Rudemouthsky]

I can dig "FRANKENDUC".

I think my last bike was more of a mechanics special...cuz I had to do crap like shim the motor mounts to make em work. I made sure everything on my new bike is going to just work and was new, like new, or rebuilt to new quality. Tired of gremlins.