Finally, an intelligent sentence in this thread.

Why does anyone really care what others are doing? If you are happy, and what you ride makes you happy, good for you.
If what I am doing, and what I ride doesn't suit others.....tough sh/t.

 

I made mine, more useful and more comfortable for long trips. Currently at 11,428 miles.

PCIII
Progressive 440 standard 13.5" shocks
Progressive fork springs, using 7w BelRay fork oil
Sundowner seat.
Ameritex bags
Kuryakan grips
LAZY Rider bag/backrest
50 State Screamin Eagle mufflers next.

 

What? Who cares... I think it's alive and well.

 

I look at a bike like a canvas. It doesn't matter if it's a "48" or not. I'd still add my own flavor to it which would make it my own to match my style and personality. I look at bikes like that from Harley as just giving the customer a head start into making it their own. To me the word "custom" gets throw around too much. Custom to me means one-off or handmade.

As far as customizing goes. It's alive and well. Doesn't matter if it's just forward controls and a windshield or full on raked out frontends and fat reartire. People are still making their bike their own. It's none of my concern if someone chooses to even leave a bike stock. As long as theyer happy is all that matters.

My .02

 

I think its screwed up when someone buys a night train, nightster or whatever blacked out bike and starts throwing chrome at it. But its not my bike or my money so my opinion really doesn't matter.

 

These are a few pictures of my 2000. I considered it to be a $6000 starter kit when it purchased it new in 2000. I have spent $1000's on it and spent hundreds of hours working on it. It has at least 50 hand built parts on top of all the parts I've purchased for it.
I don't think you can call a bike yours until you've personalized it.

 

I think to each his/her own. Take your bike for a perfect example, its so not my style personally but I looked closely at your photos and I have a great deal of respect for your craftsmanship. I consider your bike a piece of art. It is commonly taken that - that which is not aesthetically satisfying in some fashion cannot be art. However, "good" art is not always or even regularly aesthetically appealing to a majority of viewers.

All im really trying to say here is, If you like it thats all that matters.

 

Jag... is your tank completely covered with leather?... that's brilliant!

 

Well mine is custom. I built it. Short of the paint work and the final body work, I did everything to mine. I kinda fall in to the turn one bike into another catagory, but it just happened that way, wasnt the *goal* Started with a road king, and obtained a batwing for the idea of making it detachable. Ended up mounting it and pretty much making a street glide from my bike. I have lengthened the front fender, lowered it, filled all the holes, smoothed the rear fender, recessed the plate, and moved to LED lights that are in the bags. The paint is all factory colors, and even kinda stole the paint design a bit. Looking at it, I think it easily could have been a Screamin Eagle model from HD. I have updated all the old parts with better things like late model brakes, wheels, suspension.

It would have been less to start with a SG or an ultra and take parts off, but it is a great feeling that I built it, and if something breaks, I can fix it. Looking at the bikes on the forum, I dont think doing your own custom bike is dead, its just easier now for people to bolt on parts that they like instead of fabing them due to the large amount of aftermarket items available.

 

NOW THAT'S A CUSTOM!! Nice work Jag!
I have to agree that the word "custom" gets thrown around alot. However, there are guys out there doing some cool stuff. Not all my taste, but you gotta give em' credit when credit is due. Jag's is a perfect example. Not for everyone but the craftsmanship shows and I totally appreciate the time and effort that goes into that kind of work. Again ...Good on ya' Jag!