Production "Choppers"...
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Halfway to Hell
Perhaps this is because, as "the friend", I can look dispassionately at the issue while I'm on the side of the road watching my friend, the bikes owner, try to get his Big Dog to start after the electronics died for the fifth time in less than two hours. Or, the jammed shifter. Or, the blown fuses. Or, the list goes on....
The owner loves this bike while it's in the driveway. So does everyone else. It is a real sharp PitBull model. It fits none of us well. I've been on many hardtails that feel just fine for the whole day: this one isn't one of them. The owner has ridden 30 miles to the start of a poker run only to decide that this bike (which he loves, remember) will kill him if he rides another minute. This "go to a function only to sit out the actual ride" has happened to him quite a few times, but yes, he will tell you that he loves this bike. While he still loves the IDEA of the Big Dog, it has been placed for sale for over four months. He loves that bike, but we, his friends, see a man who can't follow through on a ride because of mechanical, electrical, and comfort issues. Just our view from the gallery.
The owner loves this bike while it's in the driveway. So does everyone else. It is a real sharp PitBull model. It fits none of us well. I've been on many hardtails that feel just fine for the whole day: this one isn't one of them. The owner has ridden 30 miles to the start of a poker run only to decide that this bike (which he loves, remember) will kill him if he rides another minute. This "go to a function only to sit out the actual ride" has happened to him quite a few times, but yes, he will tell you that he loves this bike. While he still loves the IDEA of the Big Dog, it has been placed for sale for over four months. He loves that bike, but we, his friends, see a man who can't follow through on a ride because of mechanical, electrical, and comfort issues. Just our view from the gallery.
It's pretty hard for some folks to admit that they wasted $30K of their money on a polished piece of dog ****. I'd say I loved it too even though I'd burn it to ground to collect the insurance money if only I could swallow the fact that the bike is worth exactly 25% of what I paid for it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
There is only one. As much as I like it, I would only ever build my own custom anything. Having been around custom cars & bikes (and boats and sleds and whatever else) most of my life, it seems there is a lot more to a custom when it is a reflection of the owner's passion & sweat. I have always come away feeling something seriously lacking when I talk to someone about their custom and the only thing they know about it is what it cost them and that it's "cool".
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Several DOGS in town,, they seem to bunch and ride together...
When meeting them on the road they must be really hard to handle and hang on to them cause they never take their hands off the bars to,,,,,
"WAVE"..
.
.
When meeting them on the road they must be really hard to handle and hang on to them cause they never take their hands off the bars to,,,,,
"WAVE"..
..
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: poughkeepsie, ny
One of the guys in my town has a Iron Horse Texas Chopper, and it seems like he's always f-----g around with somethin', carb. electric, ect... Iv'e watched just about every bike show on the Discovery channel and I never once seen somebody pull out a torque wrench or some lok-tite. Sure makes ya wonder.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
I have always wanted to coment on them so here I go.Those bikes are nothing more than a aftermarket softail frame with imported sheet metal and usually powered by a S&S engine or RevTech.Additionally they are way overpriced Too ! I personally have built bikes from the frame up and used to duplicate those for half the price.
The only reason that those companies even came into play was people got sick of waiting in line for a new Harley.In Fact that also includes Indian when they first came back into production.
The only reason that those companies even came into play was people got sick of waiting in line for a new Harley.In Fact that also includes Indian when they first came back into production.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
I have always wanted to coment on them so here I go.Those bikes are nothing more than a aftermarket softail frame with imported sheet metal and usually powered by a S&S engine or RevTech.Additionally they are way overpriced Too ! I personally have built bikes from the frame up and used to duplicate those for half the price.
The only reason that those companies even came into play was people got sick of waiting in line for a new Harley.In Fact that also includes Indian when they first came back into production.
The only reason that those companies even came into play was people got sick of waiting in line for a new Harley.In Fact that also includes Indian when they first came back into production.
Mimo.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Wildomar, CA
This is what bugs me too. I started screwing around with HDs in 1976. If you wanted a custom bike you had to build it. Now you can just buy one or dial 1-800-build-a-bike and bolt one together. No more design and fabricate your own parts.
So now when you see a guy with a "custom" bike and ask him how he did this or that you get,"I donno, I just bought it".
The same can be true for HDs since the Evos came out. Used to be you had to know how to work on a bike if you were going to ride it any distance. Then the Motor Company went and started making them reliable so now anyone can ride one!
I miss those days (in my mind, anyway) when there was more of a brotherhood. The rice guys used to ask me why I didn't really socialize with them. I told them because other than being one two wheels, we didn't really have that much in common. You bought your bike and ride it. I built mine and maintain it.
I now have a new Street Glide that I don't have to work on so maybe I'm just as bad now.
I do still have my home build bar hopper though.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Halfway to Hell
^ Word! I wouldn't trade my Shovel for 2 brand new whatevers. They got no soul!
A special bond is created when you have created your bike, ripped it apart, seen it's insides and made it all better when it's sick. Taking it to the dealer for oil changes and all that keeps you from becoming one with your bike. My bikes are more than possessions, they are part of me.
A special bond is created when you have created your bike, ripped it apart, seen it's insides and made it all better when it's sick. Taking it to the dealer for oil changes and all that keeps you from becoming one with your bike. My bikes are more than possessions, they are part of me.