bigtwinthing wrote:What do we think?
Well, my opinion, is it's all to c ock. The frame is nice with the swing arm set up, but that's where it stops with me. Yes, I realise it's a "custom", and I've ridden plenty custom stuff in the past, as well as the odd proper street-fighter.
But this, to me, just looks like he's got so far with it, and then said "I can't be arsed anymore", so stuck a board on the front to save doing a headlight, and called it a flat-tracker. The board doesn't suit the bike, and looks like an afterthought.
1. Being a custom made front end, there is no way of attaching a mudguard to the front (there are no lugs welded on), so that'll soon ruin all the work that went into getting the engine looking nice.
2. It's obviously a daylight only MOT, as no headlight - so again, you pay over 2 grand and can only ride it in daylight. And there's no clocks or rev counter. Unless he's built in LEDs onto the top yokes? It has a tail/brake light, so again, a half finished job in my opinion.
3. The back tail unit is squint and WELL off to the left. Why? Again, for THAT price, I want it straight as.
4. It's a V-Twin VTR engine. A TWIN dammit. So why stick a stupid single can on the end? To compliment the build, it should be set up with a TWIN (separate) under-tray pair of small silencers, custom made rectangular, (split into 2 small box-shapes). Or, a shotgun arrangement on the side like a Ducati S4R. I mean, he's gone to that bother of sweeping up the exhaust to go up and under the unit in the first place, only to get a cheap megaphone style thing and spray it satin black....
5. The paintwork is custom, and will only appeal to someone who likes silly futuristic airbrushing. The paintwork on the bike doesn't match (the tail unit is different to the tank). If it was sprayed all one colour (the tank and unit in gunmetal grey to match the wheels), and keep the frame orange, then yes, it would be more aesthetically pleasing.
6. Could you buy this and JUST ride it on a track? Probably not. It might struggle to pass the scrutineers. Too many pointy bits for starters. So, if that's the case, then you just buy it and stick it in a shed, or, trailer it to shows and never actually ride it.
I also wonder if the letters on the top of the tank are removable vinyl? Once again, you pay good money for a bike you have to do stuff to, re-spray, fix the tail unit, add a mudguard blah, blah, blah.
I like most bikes, and have ridden a wide variety of things. I love my old British café racers and was brought up on them, and Harleys. But, I'm afraid to say that this bike is not one I'd entertain as there is still too much to sort to make it practical and usable. Not that the owner/builder wanted it to be practical. But, I commend his efforts.
All in all? Sorry, but it's a "no" from me. I'm out. Me money stays firmly on the table.
Why spend silly money on something yer going to have to spend that much again sorting it to suit you? And then never get any of that money back when punting on again? It's false economy. Yes, if it was a Brit bike, then I've been guilty of spending thousands more than what the bike is actually worth - but then, it was kept original, and had no problem selling it on again - knowing I'd lost the money I'd spent. But this? erm. Nope.
Ok. Bike suitably pulled to bits by me, so I'm away to have a brew.
