True true true true...

 

Cutting struts is a big step. l work in a metal fabrication shop, it wouldn't be hard to do but l'd be figuring out a way to put them back on before l cut them off.

 

Absolutely...that goes without me saying it (literally, but thinking it)

Not my first rodeo

 

The rear section looks like a FT500 Ascot Honda.

 

....aannnddd its ruined with denim paint!



In all seriousness though its a pretty nicely styled bike, but with the $$$$$$ spent I think they could have gotten a lot more out of it. Ditch the RSD intake and pipe for cheaper and better options, ditch the wheels for a set of carbon wheels, ditch those forks for a nice set of inverted forks, and with the cash left over from not getting raped on the RSD parts and those wheels buy an aluminum swing arm to save even more weight... that'd make for a lighter bike with less rotating mass and less unsprung weight.

 

?? How does an aluminum swing arm equate to less rotating mass?? Bike looks great BTW

 

To me, this is the definition of a "custom" as opposed to a "modified" bike. My definition only, but here's how I've always defined it in my head:

A "modified" bike could be returned to stock, if so inclined. A lot of work may have gone into it, but it's largely bolt-on (although may still be very creative). This doesn't mean inferior, just not permanently altered (in any significant way).

A true "custom" bike involved either a welder, a plasma cutter, or at least a bunch of hacksaw blades... the "custom-ness" can't be unbolted.

One may not be better or worse than the other, but to me they're two different things...

I know this thread is a few months old, but I still love the concept of this bike!

 

That's one of Arlen's sons

 

Haha! Hamsters rule...

 

It doesn't. Less "sprung/unsprung weight" though, that's different.
The BST wheels would be the "rotating mass" reduction. (MOI)