- Joined
- Oct 19, 2005
- Messages
- 18,978
LOL! SK. To be frank about bikers, we are all a sensitive emotional lot or we would not be able to rationalize any motorcycling as its proven you are never fully in control of life and limb once in the saddle. A chopper is meant to be a rolling Flying Fickle Finger of Fate, as much or more so in the face of the builder themselves as it is to onlookers. Sometimes like SK its about only way to have a live example instead of parting out, so might as well make do. Another reality fact is compared to the racer cafe crowd the chopper riders are taking care not to press limits, except in the opens rolling on til cheeks press back w/o fear of wheelies and rear hardly gets out of line spinning its heart out. The only real issue is very sharp slow speeds turn, tire just flops w/o turning much but once about 10 mph or so they are just as handy as any other cycle. Recliner ease on the long hauls. I no longer hang out on INOC forum for the obnoxious put downs and you will run into similar attitude at their rallys where there are rows and rows of bikes in special labeled sections of many classes, then outside the arena out skirts they may or may not have a sign for "others" or slightly giving in "bobbers" where the ostracized choppers are allowed but not judged of course : ) The two I saw at Empire rally didn't fit inside the arena because one had lowered rear that made the stance chopper like on factory forks, the other had like one inch longer forks but otherwise about ordinary 750 Commando with a non cafe non factory seat, then there was Ms Peel towering 2" taller in front... only because toy submarine not powered to lower nose down as a dragster, so where do a low rider chopper Commando fit and expect reactions too? Don't get me wrong some of my best friends are INOC members.
I had a fella out here see my Peel and told me of his 750 Commando chopper. Said he spent $1000's on engine at likes of TC or Axtels shops and his hobby was blowing away all commers in wild drags. Said his method was pop the clutch in 4th and grab WOT and just hang on as 16"x 5" tire did its thing. Said one day was on THE Gravel and a dirt bike came by so they decided to have a go at it, said he was getting ahead till the marbles/arrowheads got him injured and destroyed his ride.
There is another maybe unsettling aspect about choppers for some, they are associated with lots of female fleshy parts displayed routinely around them, at least compared to the more prime and proper vintage crowd. This feature is a tough one to sneer at.
http://www.google.com/search?q=iron+hor ... 39&bih=600
