Can someone tell me what those long leather braided things are that people clip onto their brake or clutch leaver? What are they called? Do they symbolize anything?

 

Get back whip. Old school statement.

http://www.chilhowee.net/whips.html

 

fringe, old school look

 

Those are made to catch a bit of wind and help you pull in the brake or clutch lever.

 

They are called get back whips.....Old school.... They are made to be pulled off if you need to teach some one a quick lesson in "Personal Space" hence the name "Get Back".... The story goes that hourses were trained not to move it the reain was on the ground..... But I have seen them used to get someone off your back as you make a heated get-a way....
They can be custom made to match bike , club or what ever colors. And different lengths .I'll see if I can find the contact number from the people that made mine..
Here you go...www.getbackwhips.com I was very pleased with the workmenship.

 

Old school.......

Yeah I remember seeing them in all the vintage pictures from the 40's 50's and on all the bikes I was around in the 60's & 70's

NOT!!!

Nope, not "Old School" Just another poser fad like that "Low wave" thing.






Y'all ride safe now, Ya hear.
Hack

 

Im with ya on this one hacksaw.....I asked my dad and a couple of my uncles about this. They rode in the 40's and 50's. I figured it doesnt get much older school then them guys. None of them ever heard of anything like this before. They got a chuckle out if it in fact......... so yee haw

 

Everyone I know calls them a biker whip. I don't think it's an 'old school' thing at all.

 

I dont know about the old school thing either.... Could depend on what part of the country your from I guess.... Remember seeing them a lot in the early to mid 90's. Never cared for anything Dangling from my ride but, I did try some and ended up cutting the fringe off because I do actually like having the leather around the levers. Gives em a more "full" feel and seem less likely to slip. And it just plain looked cooler to my drunken eye than the fringe hanging in the breeze. My.02

 

Maybe it's that "NEW" Old School thing! Somebody interested in making some $$, so they tagged it "Old School".... You know "Old School" is the new great thing... I've seen a few around, a couple on the East Coast, and one down in TX. I prefer the "old school" Colt .45 acp!