The motorcycle as an artform.

[joceiphus]

That's great for you, but why are you telling me that I can't have one?
BTW My xs11 won't even have a hardtail. I just don't appreciate when people
that don't like something tell other people that they shouldn't have it either.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

So, mr. Okiespecial, just because you may not be able to handle a fancy hardtail custom, doesn't mean that I can't.

I don't remember saying I couldn't HANDLE it.

I just prefer a ride I can enjoy riding.

I'm sure you've seen these cars running down the road all dropped and draging the ground with either hydraulics or absolutely no suspension at all.

Well, you don't see them for very long 'cause thier drivers get tired of not being able to get over 25mph without serious spinal damage or the damned thing just beats ITSELF to death.

Same with a scoot.

Even Chops bike is a monoshock setup in the rear. I think.

[joceiphus]

Did I say "you" were in the Goldwing crowd?
Did I say anything to you?

[crazy steve]

I now understand that there are three types of crowds on this site.
The Goldwing crowd,
The Sportbike crowd,
And the Chopper crowd.

Uh, s'cuse me?

Did I miss something, or do we not all own one of the fastest production motorcycles of it's era, and one that can still embarrass a lot of new iron?

So, point out the 'Goldwing' crowd for me kid. I've never owned a bike with a fairing in my life.

I'll run my naked bike against your chopper any time...

'78E original owner

[joceiphus]

Yes I am, and it's a very nice bike.
I now understand that there are three types of crowds on this site.
The Goldwing crowd,
The Sportbike crowd,
And the Chopper crowd.

I hate Goldwings, always have, but I can see how a very very elderly man, or a flatout sissy would want that kind of relaxing sleepy time comfort.

I like sportbikes, but I personally do not trust myself to ride one and not die.

I love choppers. I've seen no evidence that they handle badly, but who am I to argue? I don't mind poorer handling if it'll make a speed junkie like me slow down just a little. So, mr. Okiespecial, just because you may not be able to handle a fancy hardtail custom, doesn't mean that I can't.

I'm glad that American Chopper is cancelled. I hated that show! I would rather see a show that shows you how things are done and why.

Everything I've seen from XSchop on here is absolutely marvelous, and I think everyone here owes him a big "THANK YOU" just for the amount of research and development he's done. I would absolutely watch an XSchop show.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Oh hell yea!

Why not? Jesse James did it and ended up REALLY RICH and married to Sandra Bullock.

And that screamin' bunch out in Orange County NY got rich doin' it too.

That is a nice custom and looks rideable.

HEY JOE!........You payin' attention?

[Larrym]

Local Cable Access Channel??

Yup! It's him. (or rather his bike without him in the picture..)

If he can't get a nationally syndicated program then maybe you can talk him into doing a local cable show.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

There is an Okie tag on that bike. Who's is it? Chops?

Please excuse my ignorance.

[Larrym]

Performance Art/Art of Performance

OCC American Choppers show cancelled

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...show-canceled/

So now there's room in the programming schedule. How 'bout setting this dude up with a workshop, soundstage and advertising sponsors:





I'd save/record the episodes where he personally tests them at the track.

[Special Ed]

Not a motorcycle but definitely art:

click


I think you could do that with a bike as well..

Mathh-
You have! And I am disappointed that you didn't post a pic of one of your bikes.
As far as I'm concerned, "you be da man!"
Special Ed

[Mathh]

Not a motorcycle but definitely art:

click


I think you could do that with a bike as well..

[bikerphil]

OCC American Choppers show cancelled

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/20...show-canceled/

[DGXSER]

Without people like me how would you guy's bikes still be on the road, Yamaha sure doesn't care about you. I take pride in my ebay sales and it makes me happy when I help keep a bike on the road. Look at the feedback left for me. Does that sound like I'm only in it for a profit. Yes I've made some money at it, but I'm only paying the bills.

My question was, should I make a nice bobber or stay stock? I really wasn't looking for anything more. I had no idea I would step on everybody's toes.

Hmmmm…I guess a conscience is a horrible thing to ignore. Suddenly your defending yourself for parting out bikes and selling parts on ebay. I read nothing in any of these post about any of that. Not that I have any real problem with it, other than I hate to see the bikes that are in far better shape than the ones I own turned into parts for sale, to me that says the person is mor einterested in the money in the parts than seeing someone else enjoy the bike. That is a bit depressing and heartless in my opinion. But not the subject of the thread.

I am in the final throws of repairing/restoring an XS11 for resale myself. Having taken what someone may have thought were “artistic” steps with the bike, and corrected them to stock parts, I will say if your not keeping it then leave it stock. My thought is that the next owner will have a lot easier time figuring out what is what on the bike if it is stick and they can read it in a manual. That and it is amazing how much these parts become worth when removed from the bike that was only worth $250 when the person parting it out bought it. So putting it back becomes expensive.

If they want it modified, discuss it and offer to do it for them if they agree to buy it when done to what they want. This can be a tough road to go down though.

As to the ORIGINAL subject of the thread.....Is it ART or not, well, Art to me is something done by an artist, someone who has an image and a heartfelt feeling to express in what ever medium they choose to express it in. If that is a motorcycle then so be it. Hopefully whatever they do to express themselves does not create an unsafe vehicle that is taken out on the road, mostly becasue I hate to see someone else suffer for their errors which is liekly to happen. You hardly ever see an accident that does not involve more than one vehicle.

Thats my 1/2 cent worth.

[Larrym]

Profit and Non-Profit

xs11lover,

Bad Person?? Ohh....ummm...no judgemental intentions from my end of things. Just a recognition of how when $$$ in motorcycle resale or in ART (Caps intended...) resale things can get sideways.

I can appreciate how you or anyone would want to distance themselves from the bottom-liners/bubble makers on Wall street who recently went bankrupt or got the federal bailout. Clearly didn't intend to make you feel like you and they were birds of the same feather. I'll take you at your word that you have a hobby and have found a way to financially make it viable/supportable.

Whether to bobber the bike or not to bobber it is a matter of freedom of choice. Really. I've long since given up on justifying my own actions/inactions to anyone who doesn't wear a badge or a judge's robe. (Those are interesting experiences..) I live by the fortune cookie wisdom of "Never Explain. Your friends won't need it and your enemies won't understand it." Many people I knew told me I was WRONG in buying/owning a 30 year old motorcycle when I had the cash to buy a brand new and better one.

So whether you bobber/not bobber...do it unapologetically, unashamedly, and with absolute assurance that you yourself have made an informed choice and are willing to live with the consequences. Part of those outcomes being that some people will approve and some people will not.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Heh..heh..ease up Lover boy!

Nobody's knockin' you, just sayin' that's all.

I couldn't have a nice scoot like that and just look at it........let alone sell it.

But then....I'm just poor white trash and can't afford to put more time and money into something than I'll ever get back out of or not use myself.