No doubt. Big motor Suspension Bars Little things like mirrors and shit. I just did mine to look and feel how I wanted and have enough power where the bike doesn’t feel sluggish (my car is fast. So even when my bike was just a stage2 felt sloooooow The 124 feels quick .. like when a big turbo comes on in a car on wastegate .. but still I wouldn’t call it “fast” I think none of us will ever have what we feel is fast enough. Easy to adjust to the power of Great comment bro Well said
No not at all. That’s all I was trying to say. Customize or accessorize. Very different thing than a build to me. Thanks for catching what I was putting down.
My 2018 chieftain is bone stock other than the seat and the aftermarket front rotors that were cheaper and better than the stock ones that I beat into submission. So yeah, I'm still just riding mine.
I have 80k miles on my softail. I'm only responsible for 20k of those, but that's 2 years worth of riding. I sold all my 4 wheeled vehicles and used my softail exclusively for a while.
Who fucking cares? Build, assemble, put together… call it whatever. The way I see it is, unless you paid for it, the person spending their hard earned money can call it whatever the hell they want. The bigger issue is everyone now days think their opinion of how others do what they do is relevant or valid and needs to be shared. This all coming from a guy who doesn’t have a “build,” just a guy tired of influencers/content creators opinions of how the peons that watch are flawed…
Right?! Don't understand the gripe of using the term "build", it's a common way to describe things not just in the bike or car world. Hell, I play DnD and call the characters I create things like my Paladin "build" 😂. It's not a term that should be taken so literal. Calling it a Road Glide "build" (or any other bike "build") makes perfect sense to most people lol
Thing is, is that language matters. The way we use language matters. Are all sausages a hot dog? Can I randomly call each kind whatever I want? If I buy a house and paint it and add a porch, did I build the house? You want to tell people that " I built the house, I accessorized the house, I made an addition to the house, I renovated the house" are all the same and don't matter? So you asked "why cares". I do. I want to know if I'm dealing with a clown or not.
@@MichaelRCarlson Agree to disagree, people need to be less concerned with what others do. I don’t agree that you are a “clown” if your “build” consists of bolt on accessories and is what others would deem accessorized. Who cares, that is where I still am… Not everyone has endless resources for MC’s, and if they want to use their money on a pseudo build and call it a build, I’m for it.
I built my house, but I didn't cut down the trees, limb the trees, debark the trees, and cut the trees into dimensional lumber. forge the nails, hammers, or roofing. So I guess I'm not classified as building my home. Get off your ratings issues.
I knew a guy who had two actual custom bikes built at a total cost well into six figures 20 years ago and neither one was could actually be ridden. One had a 113" motor, but the battery box wouldn't hold a battery large enough to start it, so he took parts off that bike to build a new bike and he rode that one for less than 30 miles before it broke. Lol
Every bike that was built like occ or thunder mountain choppers were all dog shit, not worth a damn , I agree , I said call it whatever you want it's no big deal .
I see the new performance bagger style a breath of fresh air compared to the tired ridiculous big wheel stretched lowered look. It's kinda like when the hair bands were replaced by grunge bands. What will be the next big thing?
This kind of applies to a LOT of “scenes” though. Car people are the same way. You hear about “jimmy’s built Camaro” all the time, yet all they did was put wheels and tires and an exhaust, maybe cams, coil overs, and a wrap. Or AR15s are the same way. I can’t tell you how many people talk about an “AR build” and they just assembled a lower and then dropped a $200 PSA upper on it along with a light, red dot, and trigger. I agree with you completely, but it also kinda comes across as a little “gatekeep-y” or like that “ackshually” meme. I think we all just need to let people live their lives and call their shit whatever they want. We all know inside that it’s not true, but live and let live man 🤘
Don't let this guy off the fucking hook this guy's a fucking hypocrite and worse than that. He puts all this together and then turn just to sell his motorcycle that has all the junk on it that he's bitching about. Give me a fucking break
I agree, I’ve pissed off several guys calling their bikes accessorized. But they were just a bike they payed someone to bolt on parts on they liked. I built two bikes in the early 2000’s. They both were a frame from a manufacturer and bolted in engine, trans, wheels, etc. I bought some parts, fabbed some, modified others to fit. I loved working on them. I got tired of cleaning them all the time. Since then I have bought bikes, bolted on parts I like, modified parts, and take off parts to make them lighter. They are accessorized the way I like.
This is such a ridiculous concept. Most of the guys on biker build off didn’t build their motors. It’s impossible to draw a line between what’s “built” and what’s not. So if I cut and derake my frame and change virtually every part of my motorcycle, and even custom paint it myself, but I pay a guy with a machine shop to split my cases and fully build my engine then I didn’t “build my bike”!? When you build a racecar from a mustang you usually keep the factory frame, often use the same engine! This whole concept is preposterous! There’s bikes “built” from a factory base, there’s bikes built from nothing at all, some of the factory based projects are more elaborate!
I'm not quite sure what the point of the video actually is. Fabricators, true machinists, and innovators have always been and always will be the super minority. The secondary market for Harley grows every year and is only limited by an individuals ability to spend. Personally I see radical Harleys that in the 1980's weren't possible. Most of these are unridable and only trailered in so they can put 25 miles a day on them. I ride by the mantra keep it simple, keep it comfortable but if someone is dropping 100k on a trailer queen have at it. It keeps that secondary market healthy.
I've been riding for 51yrs this year, and back in the '70s and '80s we had to do our own improvising and fabricating, and fizz bomb paint jobs were standard, because our bikes got put through hell. The entire "biking" scene has gone to hell.
ACKSHUALLY “my build” is just a phrase. Calm down. We all know when people say my build there don’t mean they welded a frame from scratch. Also I say my build because I actually pulled my engine and built it back up. No man lets another man build their bike in my opinion.
I'm 57 years old . I have always called them mods . I have always been a bobber fan even though I'm 6 foot. I try to strip down. This is my third street bob . The first one I can't get forward pegs or highway pegs that attach to the frame. Mid controls with farward pegs gives great mobility in leg and behind movement while keeping a low profile. I'll have to actually fabricate these .
Thank you for saying what has needed to be said for a long time!! The only thing these guys are "building" is their ego. You didn't build $hit! All you did was open a box, read some instructions, and put an accessory on your bike; this includes myself. Blair, you got cajones! 👍
You're talking about an industry where only 8% - 10% of Americans own motorcycles, I'll be generous and say 4% of those are Harley's and only half of that 4% is actually putting on after market parts besides maybe some apes and slip ons. Theres a reason why everyone is running the same parts and thats because there's only so many manufacturers making parts for Harley's because there really isn't a huge market for after market parts. I think the opinion in this video really discredits people that are tearing down and "building" their engines in their garage themselves instead of sending it their local harley dealershop to have them do it, or the dudes and that are buying parts and grinding and welding to make those parts fit the way they want and to those that are trying to bring this vision in their head to life peice by peice. Just because they didn't build the frame by hand doesn't mean there wasn't a lot of thought and time and money put into that bike. I think the reason the harley community is trash is because no one can appreciate anyone else's bike or work or because they don't ride as many miles as this person or that person. Everyone just bashs everyone else on the internet and everything has just turned into a pissing contest.
Blair, I agree with you 100%, I have a few bikes that have parts like other people have on their bikes and I don’t call it a built bike, I call it, customize my way, and I don’t care what people think. Like you said in your video, Billy Lane, Jesse James, those guys built bikes.
Glad you got what I was trying to say. A lot of people missed it or just took it way too personal. Nothing wrong with what guys like us do at all. I just don’t feel right calling what I’ve done and what guys fabricating one off custom parts for a bike.
Remember bout 25 years ago when if you owned a Harley you were pretty much labeled as a Wildman or hell raiser. Nowadays it just means you have a little extra money and have a decent job. Thats it. Sad
When Jesse James got out of the bike building business back in the day, he said, paraphrasing, riding a Harley used to mean you were a biker, now it means you're a dentist.
@@csolivais1979holy shit.... looks what it really means according to HD corporate. 😢😢 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DUrMBPBiw_8.htmlsi=BUigztYvtgNmd2wV
I have a Lowrider ST with a HD 131. Almost everything I have on my bike is HD or parts we sell in the dealership I work at as a salesman. I use my bike to show it off to sell bikes and help the parts department. I don’t race and I don’t do stunts.
Now that makes sense, but your not a “builder” saying they make custom bikes and all they do is shop from you and slap the parts on and say they are the baddest builder on the planet
I agree with you 100%. The bike scene is way over kill…. People are building too much , bike. Most of the new riders don’t even know who the old builders are. Thanks for bringing those names up…. I’m glad someone else knows about them, what I call the old real bike scene. There’s always someone bigger and badder than you. Just be humble and just roll on. Bikes are not a competition…. An enjoyment. Peace be with you , 2 wheels up. God bless…..
What you’re talking about we used to call ‘modding’. Which virtually everyone does to one degree or another on all bike brands. But if someone wants to call it their “build”, I guess I just don’t care what semantics get used. Basically you want to make 25 grand selling pics of your bike is what I got out of this.
Honestly. Building and modifying a Harley to be a "race" or track bike is the definition of silly. Its so redundant it cant even be explained with logic. These things are boats. Tanks. Water buffalos. Whatever you want to call them.. they are not R1s or V4 powered Ducati's. They are low revving V Twins. 1800cc. 900lb. Fairing having. Chain driven primary having. Belt final drive having. Non-rider-forward riding motorcycles that are designed to cruise and to travel long distances. Now. To each their own. And i love dragging my pegs on my Dyna Bro styled Street Bob. Its a basic bitch. I love my TBR exhaust and Lucky 13 bars and my Step Up seat. I love BRL. But to think that this is what we should be doing with HDs is laughable. They're cruisers. But then again. Who gives a fuck. Let someone think theyre hot shit cause they bolted a pair of 65.5ci jugs on their 2024 Road Glide Special with a Dirty Bird exhaust and MX style bars on a 10" riser. Who cares if they cant name their exact specs on any of their parts. Are they Indian Larry now? No. But as long as they get enjoyment out of it.. Who gives a flying fuck? Thats the large majority of Harley riders anyways. Know it alls that know nothing. Theres a reason why i dont go to those shows. Its the want a bes and the poser class.
I actually wouldn't mind seeing someone taking a standard and turn it into a cafe racer. I think it's a great platform for that, already stripped down pretty far and making enough power with a tune to have some fun.
People that build houses use prefabricated parts all the time. Floorboards, nails, screws, underlayment, paint, stairs, windows, glass, glue, etc. That’s building. We call that a build. Same for OC and Jesse. They use wheels, bearings, tires, controls, motors, brakes made by other companies. And we call that a build. No shame in that. And when my daughter builds something from Lego’s, I call that a build as well.
Been there done that, custom bobber build, chopped frame, custom seat/ bracket, lights, bars, cnc machine mounts, aftermarket levers / cables, peanut style tank, it def turns heads. But it's slower, trans is notchy compared to modern bike and half the power and not to mention the yearly carb clean/adjustment etc. I switched to indian scout bobber and ride it 95% of the time because its way less headache and I get alot more enjoyment out of it.
When I first started building bikes back in the 1970s just about every special and custom part had to be fabricated, today just about everything you can think of and don't think of is available at you local bikeshop and online.
Yep you couldn't buy it you had to make it or modify it from something else and make it fit. When we wanted to build hot rod panheads we had to make stroker plates and we used ULH 80 inch Flathead flywheels in our pans.
You’re definitely wrong on why we built these bikes, it wasn’t to ride them on the track. That came after guys started taking them on curvy street roads and then on the track. I use to ride a sport bike and wanted something with saddle bags. I’m 42, back in 2016 I saw the Race Glide on IG. His was probably the first guy on the east coast with a performance bagger. Definitely with an inverted front end from big bear and a Kendall Johnson 124 twin cam. The way he road his bike is the reason I bought my 2017RG. I bought the Ohlins because that’s what he ran and when I call BBC and Kevin picked up and answered all my questions. Kevin, Steve Chamberlain, Jace Hudson and unknown industries helped pushed this industry and showed us what can be done to make these bikes handle better. I will say, Steve is definitely a bike builder, so is my machinist.
I am pushing 70, so I've been doing this a long time. I'm still riding the 1949 EL Panhead that from boxes and a frame many moons ago. I welded and fabbed a lot of stuff. My frame is actually a 47 Knucklehead frame that I modified to fit the Panhead engine in as I couldn't find a decent Wishbone frame. Panhead engines are taller than Knuckleheads. In the old days, late 1960s to early 70s, some scammers were building bikes built for shows that didn't even run. They were literally using Pan and Knuckle cases with nothing in them to win the trophies and the cash. They looked pretty. Eventually, shows caught on, and the bikes had to be rode in where you actually had to start the bik and see that it ran. Hardly anybody nowadays builds or modifies their own stuff. They don't have to they can buy it over the counter.
If my ego needed any stroking (it doesn't), it would come from working on my bikes rather than dropping it off at a shop. I'm not a fabricator or "builder", but I'm also not a soft hands white collar rider who waits for the phone call that their bike is finished.
I dont think saying unless you bend a frame from scratch, you did not build a bike! I do agree with the fact that people look for clout based on how much money they spend on "flair." At the end of the day, if you put your bike together in your vision and love it, its "your" build, built to your standard.
Thank you for the reality check. There’s a difference between being a builder and an “accessorizer.” The former takes skills and money. The latter just takes money. There’s no shame either way.
That’s all I was trying to say! Glad a few people got it. No hate that’s why I pointed out, I’M ONE OF THEM that paid for most stuff. Just making sure people know there is a difference.
I think anyone putting over $10,000 of accessories on their newly purchased. Harley Davidson is entitled to call the Bike “my build”. Let’s be honest, Orange County choppers, Jesse James, choppers and many custom bike builders are long out of business. Most of those bikes, especially Orange County were not rideable bikes, and many downright dangerous in real world riding. Harley Davidson is making insanely gorgeous, reliable, powerful bikes, right off the showroom floor. In my opinion, minor tweaks to personalize or all that’s needed. But those who want to go all out can do so. Ride on 👍🇺🇸
Yeah OCC made bikes as show pieces. There are plenty of guys still building custom bikes that ride amazing. Look at Roland Sands, his stuff is amazing and purpose built. I think what I was trying to say was if you aren't putting the parts on yourself it's your design, not your build? Appreciate the love.
The amount of years that people have been out of business, or how dangerous their bikes are to ride does not take away the fact that they still built them. And those same points and spending large amounts of money aren't arguments for people saying "This is my build.", when they didn't actually build anything, or they only built minor parts. There's no logic in your argument.
Hey Blair, hope all is well…I love Harleys but I really never spend more than 1k in upgrades, on my third and don’t plan on opening engine unnecessarily.
Definitely ruffled some feathers with this one, but sometimes the truth hurts. I will say “accessorized” makes me think of non functional parts people slap on while I consider what you and most of us have done is “customized” or at least “personalized” our bikes. That said I enjoy your videos and I hope you keep making them- rubber side down.👍
Complains about people calling their bike a “build,” then continues on to use “build” the same way. It all may be getting played out now, but it’s better than slapping on a live to ride derby cover and thinking your bike is custom.
100% agree, I've been feeling the same way for a long time. No shame is accessorizing your bike however you want, but stop calling it "performance" if it doesn't have tons of miles on it or has never been on the track racing other performance bikes. I just feel bad for the dudes out there who purpose build their bikes and ride the crap out of them, they get overshadowed by the shiny Instagram queens with the same parts list as everyone else.
Most of those bike "builders" did not build the frame.. They often altered the frame.. And occasionally built one.. But often started with a stock frame and cut it.
Those “ builds” are all bought and paid for by “sponsors “. Same as HD… they have bought and paid for all the top “ influencers “. It’s getting harder to watch as these people are sounding more like Billy Mays selling the Shamwow. I just stop watching.
If you like to ride aggressively in the mountains or on other curvy roads, upgraded suspension makes a lot of sense. I agree with you on the power thing though. Personally, I think 125-130 squared hp/torque is plenty. Beyond that, unless someone really is racing, it becomes male member measuring in my opinion.
IDK I agree/disagree with you on this. The main difference between lets say a OCC or West Coast Choppers motorcycles and a Harley Davidson is that OCC and WCC made their own frames. They custom machined some of their parts but they still used a lot of over the counter parts. They didn't really design their own engines, transmissions, or primarys. They had a contract with those companies and used their parts. Purchasing parts through a 3rd party and then installing them onto your HD or any other bike manufacture doesn't make it any less "built" just because you didn't design the original concept of the bike or the parts you are installing. Now if you purchase a bike and have someone else do all the work then the saying built not bought would no longer apply here. You are also correct with how many bikes out there aren't built around the rider or they are a bunch of misc. parts thrown together that don't work with one another. There are probably more of those bikes out there than true purpose built bikes. Just my two cents on it.
I have a 2016 FatBoy that I bought new in 2016. Since then I haven’t really seen anything in the showroom that just wowed me. Interestingly the softail standard caught my eye because it is so plain, fairly inexpensive and would make a great starting platform for some great accessories.
I do not have a big issue with the people that are doing actual doing the work on upgrading/ modifying their engines. I really hate when someone says I am doing a big bore build and the person never does any of the work.
Fab & finish work is different than bolt on but yea i bet 1/2 of people say build without really thinking about it. I built a killer corned beef sangy today
Good call. What would be a better term to differentiate between a bike that’s had parts bolted on vs one with true custom one off parts made specifically for that bike?
Yeah I think you’re right. And I know most people don’t mean anything by calling it a build. But there is clearly a difference in bolting on parts vs making custom 1 off parts for a bike. Any idea what episode that was? I’d like to check it out.
I have a 10 year old Vrod and Sportster both bone stock and 0 problems for the last 10 years on both bikes. There is something to be said for not "building" up your bike. I repeat not a single issue on either.
I can’t remember exactly who said it, it might have been Cole Foster, but idk for sure…” if you aren’t making your own parts, you aren’t ‘building’ anything”. If everything came from a catalog, Anyone can order from the same catalog and have the same thing you have. Doesn’t matter if it’s motorcycles, cars, or even bicycles. People just love to use that word…build. Sounds cooler than check out what I assembled I guess.
As far as “bike shows” I did Rats Hole in the 90’s when C & L Hog Shop was the deal, then Born Free here in Southern California when it was a block party in Signal Hill. Saw performance baggers 15 years ago out here. Point is keep em all coming, the old junk, the parade floats, Clown Wagons and so on. Dyna Divas, chopper hipsters and wanna be tough guys welcome. The guys who know what is built vs bought know. It’s what keeps this all going. Thanks for sharing!
My build is something I built, single handedly - my house. Framing, plumbing, electrical, insulation, cabinets, doors, windows, siding, roof, everything. My Screaming Eagle Sportster xl1200l, I bought.
It's not about knowledge or skill or style anymore. It's all money. A flex of bank accounts. Another thing that's trash is that the customers of these brands pay for them to give free stuff to "influencers" and these garages turning into 4 walls of plugs. This winter had taught me alot about moto vloggers its that if it's not riding season there is nothing to talk about, and that Matt Laidlaw is going road glide
Yeah, we talk about how 'clean' a bike looks, oh, those 'clean lines' and then the same folks have those rear shock reservoirs sticking out the back that actually go against and IMO spoil the 'clean' looks of the bike. The reality is that those reservoirs stick out for only 1 reason - and that's to show off. Each to their own, but I'm over the BS as well, don't BS me about doing mods on your bike that give it clean lines but then you put canasters sticking out the back when they can easily be mounted out of the way.
Nothing was said that wasn't true without being offensive or insulting,it's still alot of work building a bike from the frame up with parts that don't fit because you wanna be cool and have a chopper,that's what I did,lol and I still feel like I made something unique even if I didn't make the frame and tins etc...but that's a different level,they build everything like he said in the video,anywho I'll stop rambling now,if I didn't make sense blame it on the Mary Jane .
Do you like your bike: Yes! Did you put thought into the mods: Yes! Did you pay for all that shit: Yes! Did you install it or pay to install it: Yes! Your shit you paid for so you can call it what you want: Yes! Do you need the approval of someone on RU-vid for your bike or what you call it: Nope!
Do what you want to your bike . It's your money and your bike. I have had and rod Harley Davidson's for almost thirty years. Everyone modifies their rides. And the so called builders have a problem with it to bad. What the hell. Without the general riding people the people who own and customize their bikes are where the majority of builders come. We are all riders together and stop the arguments it makes us all look like children.
There’s nothing new under the sun. Bolt your expensive aftermarket stuff on there but don’t expect me to drool over it. I would rather inspect an old rat rod that’s been places and done questionable things.
I like to stand out in a sea of cookie cutter bolt on custom Harleys by riding a Buell XB12XT. It makes it super easy to point out your bike at a charity ride when it is the only one of its kind there.
@Throttleblip Dude, you hit a sore spot with me. I spent half my life as a legit truck technician. I’ve taken truck apart in several ways, engines, transmissions, cabs, axles…. Etc. I was a good tech. Yet never in my career did I ever call myself a truck builder. I now have installed over a dozen parts on my 22 SGS. Including bars, lights, audio, a big bore engine, clutch, etc… I don’t call myself a bike builder or refer to my bike as a “build”. Out of respect for actual bike fabricators who can build a motorcycle with nothing but raw metal and tube. Harley’s are a wonderful hobby, and nothing else feels quite like an awesome ride alone or with buddies. Unfortunately Harley’s have a culture of what you addressed in this video. Good topic, no doubt you’re going to piss a bunch of people off too. lol
In my opinion, if you go into the engine, you're legit! haha. Yeah comments went a little crazy on this one. Everyone needs to feel special these days.
Bolting on accessories is pretty much what every harley owner does. that's why every harley ends up looking pretty much the same as the next. originality died, probably with Arlen Ness IMO
Not too long ago you couldn’t just buy everything like you can now. So it’s kind of unfair to say things aren’t “built”. Who’s to say your “build” doesn’t qualify as a “build” either. Does it HAVE to have a built motor? Especially one that you built yourself? I call things builds since that’s just the easiest to say. I’ve owned 37 vehicles. My 24 mustang isn’t a build since it’s just suspension and wheels and some other small handling things. My 23 rgst is full paint, ohlins, thrashin stuff, custom dynamics, hertz audio. Etc. what should I call it? My spec? Am I suppose to hand craft all my parts instead of buying them from reputable companies that have the parts ready to go and usually have slightly different spec stuff like bar sweep and whatnot? Idk. Also, no clue what my ohlins settings are lol. I just ordered them to my weight and mess with them before and after rides acting like I know what I’m doing until I hopefully won’t have to touch them again. Idk. I just don’t know how else to tell people I bought a bike. Took it all apart myself. Had it painted. Put too many parts on it and reassembled it by myself again. I get the hate on oreilly parts putter onner Honda civic masters running the latest stick on fender vents. But I never get the hate on people dumping money Int’l a Harley. I mean, they’re already junk, we all know that. Most of us just want to ride something not stock. Some people make their bike their whole personality though. That’s possibly another topic though. Rant over.
Never understood the need to "build" a bike. The stock Harley is just fine, with plenty of power. Stage 1 or 2 is enough. Anything more and you are asking for trouble.
You could have made this video 3 seconds long if you just said "Don't be a poser, be real" XD I completely agree with what you said pretty much the entire video. I even have the quad lock on my Harley and in my Jeep lol. If I talk to anyone about my bike, I never refer to it as "my build", but I will say, "check out my bike, I made all these sweet changes to make it how I like it". I think the "my build" stuff comes from people watching too much youtube and IG and what not. They hear it a lot and it just gets spit back out again eventually, but I totally agree that if you're not making parts for it or starting with a blank frame and building it all out, it's not really "a build", it's "a modification"
Just think how boring these bike weeks would be if the crazies didnt bring their stuff out to be seen. I try to find one good thing I like in a custom motorcycle, paint, wheels ect.. I wouldnt want it for me, but to each his own.
Customize, build,accessorize, its all the same. I walked into Hofman designs here in Monticello MN. from the carbon fiber to the CNC work he does is top notch. His fender looks a hell of a lot better than what Harley came out with. I think one should stop at a few of these shops and take a look. There is definitely more than meets the eye going on there.✌️
Never been much of a customized I guess, slip ons for sound and that’s it. When I buy a bike it needs to be exactly what I’m looking for and I sure as hell don’t want to have to spend $$$$ to make it comfortable. My RM fits the bill for me but I don’t begrudge anyone for customizing their ride.
Barking up the wrong tree , 95 percent of us Buy Harleys and what ever . And make it look the way we want ,with the budget that we can afford . We all like to think we are bike builders of our own bikes , But I think most of us know who the real bike builder are with out mentioning there names . Not many of us can even think about building a bike from the ground up .Think the Harley scene is alive and well with us Trash -Wannabe part installers ,Trying to find the look .
A bike build these days is sending your stock bike to a shop to do make it “custom” (cough cough). The owner sits down with a shop representative who uses a check list to add up the dollars the shop is gonna make off the owner. Now all these “custom bikes” look so similar it’s nauseating. I own a Road Glide like everyone else and their brother. I have accessorized my bike to meet my needs. The only engine work done is a Stage 1 kit, a new oil pump and cam plate (I have a 2017 which had the shitty pump) and oil cooling fan. This engine gets 60 mpg on the hwy. yes, I’ve gone 300 plus miles on a tank. I don’t need more torque or horsepower. I just need reliable. Everyone is entitled to do what they want with their own bike, but a huge part of the culture is not being understood. A built bike used to be ground up construction by the owner. A customized bike was bought stock and upgraded either by the owner or a shop. A custom bike (not customized) was a shop built bike, built ground up, to a customer’s specifications. Think West Coast Choppers. Great video.
Love how Everyone's 'Build" is their own thought/Design, yet walk thru a parking lot@ an event and these folks need pagers on their bikes cause they All look the Same!!! Like those wandering around a Walmart parking lot forgetting where they parked, pushing the tamper button on their key fobs. I'm sure the MC will add that feature to their product in years to come since they do listen to customer input. I ride a '91 FLHTC Beast. I sure hope that doesn't become the New fad...
I think you’re taking the word build too literal. Although I wouldn’t say “check out my build” because I got a saddleman, exhaust and a Baja headlight. Lol
I agree , but the give away is a bit ….. um …. 100 bucks 250. I dunno . You’re one of the few guys who does this the right way no click bait , videos to the point , great content , don’t start wiht the give aways man . Just sell the bike on cycle trader for what you want and put the link in the description and keep the good content coming . Stay the course man
Honestly, I agree with a lot of what you said, but I also just turned 50 and could just be another grumpy old man at his point lol. What I will say in addition though is people should buy and customize bikes they enjoy. If that’s to look at, fine. If that’s to ride cross country, fine. If that’s to just cruise around for a couple of hours on or take to bike nights and show off, fine too. What I don’t appreciate though is this whole idea that there’s one right way to do things, one true Harley culture and the idea that we are somehow off or not true to the game if we’re not into the same things everyone else is. The primary example that comes to mind is the high end performance bagger craze. People act like everyone needs $100,000 bagger or a souped up dyna or why are you riding at all??? Guess what? I honestly don’t really enjoy riding super heavy big bikes or keeping really old ones operating. I have spent the last year or more trying to get myself to because that’s what’s hot, but I love speed and a nimble ride, so I am done. I am giving myself permission to enjoy what I enjoy at the price range that works for me. That’s my Sportster S or maybe something like the LRST. While I love the cool baggers and all of the slick tech on the new ones, I am now more looking forward to seeing what creative things people do with their soft tails, Sportster S, Pan Americas, etc. Isn’t that what Harleys are really about? Doing you and expressing yourself with whatever you can get your grubby little hands on instead being a bunch of cliqueish copycats??? It’s way old and exhausting at this point. I am trying to focus on the actual riding more and people and companies talking about the riding less. It’s time. Thanks for the post.
Harley has gone from providing a bike at every price point to being shockingly elitist to the affluent. And back again. Remember the v-rod? Practical, reliable, affordable, and even comfortable. And, dare I even say it, quieter than any other Harley while being faster than any other Harley. I went into a Harley dealership last year and there wasn't a single bike in there to appealed to me. Previously there was always at least a few bikes in Harley's lineup that was a middleweight commuter bike that you could ride "sorta" briskly on curvy roads. Indian has several, and even snobby Ducati will get you on a new Monster for under $10,000 (with a bit of 2023 finagling). Currently I'm riding a stock 2022 Yamaha XSR900. $9300 out the door including taxes. $350 / year full coverage. 117 HP, 420 pounds wet weight. And it has cruise control! I'll end up putting a lot of miles on this bike because it's reliable and cheap enough, and fun enough, to be a commuter.
