Folks, I'm new here about's. I think this is my first post maybe, but I just gotta get this off my chest.

Two months ago I bought a neat little sporty I stumbled upon at the right time for the right price. This is my first bike in about twenty-five years. My last one was a "73" sportster... I been missing that bike all these years...

Anyway... the present one, as I said was pretty cool. A "98" 1200C that's had a bunch of chrome and some other goodies added. I like a pretty bike as much as anyone - well maybe not anyone, buuut - I've always been more about riding than looking though. Maybe it's me, how I sit on the bike or simply nostalgia but the first thing that had to go was the short, stick straight out handle bars! No offense to anyone who likes em but they felt like something off a dirt bike to me. I NEEDED a set of sorta retro buckhorns. Found a cheap set someone "upgraded" from on craigslist for next to nothing. I was all to happy to take em off his hands. Man, did those bars make a difference in how the whole ride felt!!! I knew right away also that I needed to get rid of those chromed metal covered grips. It was a bit too much chrome up front but they're also very uncomfortable. I ordered a set of original equipment rubber grips but never got around to skinning the "custom" ones off and replacing em till today. A test ride put another smile on my old face!
Similarly the chromed metal foot pegs been giving me the azzz lately. They do have rubber section inserts. I saw em advertised somewhere recently as "vibration isolation..." BULL! A little while ago I found another sportster owner eager to recoup some cash for his "old" rubber pegs. Poor devil!

Now... apologizing for the rant, anyone else out there find all this pretty, shiny replacement everything the internet has made readily available, is often more show than go? Am I just a nostalgic old fool?
I'm not particularly biased about what anybody does to THEIR ride but some of this stuff, which detracts from the original goal of the Sportster seems a little weird to me. I realize the sporty has long been THE entry level Harley but it seems its even less appreciated for it's own qualities than ever.

 

uuuuummmmm...what was the question?

 

Didn't know I had to ask a question. Just unburdening me-self mate.

 

I live in upstate ny and was at the americade a couple weeks back. I have to say the only bike that made me stop and stare, was to me the awsome looking rat rod. Didnt have a camera with me or I would have taken a photo. Two wheels, a motor and no crome, no paint either but wow!

 

You clearly asked a question "Form or Function?" and you are right. I have made many mistakes by putting on something that looked cool but turned out to be a piece of crap that either ruined the comfort or the performance of the bike. I'm with you function is more important and form is second.

 

it's like the old addage in bmx (not many of you prolly know) style over tricks anyday! i vote form.....