Why is it called a "build" when someone repairs/paints/modifies a bike?

Britten's were truly amazing!! Not to take anything away from him I did read that he sourced his gearbox from a Suzuki. I would definitely consider him a builder. But the vast majority of thing I've read lately and seen on the internet as "builds" strikes me as the same as what concours is saying, Rebuilt/modified/customized. sometimes I look at what is being presented by a journalist as a build I think to myself Bullsh!t.....but that being said there a bunch of "builds" out there that are simply beautiful and I would love to have them in my garage (if I had a garage, here in Japan I mean) . It's becoming common place to refer to a customized bike as a "build" and I believe it would be "swimming up stream" to try and change the younger generations vernacular. Cj
 
I agree that the most respect goes to those who demonstrate fabrication and engineering skills.

But good assembly and preparation is not to be dismissed. Anyone who’s raced, quickly learns to respect quality preparation, it’s not as simple as just bolting stuff together !
 
Fast Eddie said:
I agree that the most respect goes to those who demonstrate fabrication and engineering skills.

But good assembly and preparation is not to be dismissed. Anyone who’s raced, quickly learns to respect quality preparation, it’s not as simple as just bolting stuff together !
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For me it's really annoying to see all these so called bobbers
Usually old boxer BMW's that are stripped down
Paintwork scratched up
Motocross tyres
Brown seat
And an exhaust system wrapped in copious amounts of asbestos wrap that looks like something a rabid andrex puppy had done
With the owner exclaiming "I built it all meself"
A similar thing used to happen a few years ago with Suzuki gixers
A bike would be chucked up the road ,all the plastic destroyed
People would fit some tacky set of twin headlights
Polish the frame and then claim it was a "streetfighter"
"All built meself mate"🤣😂
 
baz said:
For me it's really annoying to see all these so called bobbers
Usually old boxer BMW's that are stripped down
Paintwork scratched up
Motocross tyres
Brown seat
And an exhaust system wrapped in copious amounts of asbestos wrap that looks like something a rabid andrex puppy had done
With the owner exclaiming "I built it all meself"
A similar thing used to happen a few years ago with Suzuki gixers
A bike would be chucked up the road ,all the plastic destroyed
People would fit some tacky set of twin headlights
Polish the frame and then claim it was a "streetfighter"
"All built meself mate"🤣😂
Click to expand...
Yup, many a fine Gixer destroyed on the alter of ‘individuality ‘ !

A lot by my freakin’ mates actually !!
 
Porsche powered chopper trike.
Not my cup of tea, but it appears FINISHED, a good choice of powerplant, enough beans to actually ride to a rally/show.
Creative paint and CHROME!! Straight out of the 70's.
 

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concours said:
Porsche powered chopper trike.
Not my cup of tea, but it appears FINISHED, a good choice of powerplant, enough beans to actually ride to a rally/show.
Creative paint and CHROME!! Straight out of the 70's.
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Looks like he's at least flipped the transaxle to run the motor in front?
Unlike loads of those Beetle trikes with the motor hanging out the back and front wheel hovering off the deck
 
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baz said:
Looks like he's at least flipped the transaxle to run the motor in front?
Unlike loads of those Beatle trikes with the motor hanging out the back and front wheel hovering off the deck
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Those wheel arch seats look like fun...🤣 As you say a well sorted 70's trike
 
baz said:
For me it's really annoying to see all these so called bobbers
Usually old boxer BMW's that are stripped down
Paintwork scratched up
Motocross tyres
Brown seat
And an exhaust system wrapped in copious amounts of asbestos wrap that looks like something a rabid andrex puppy had done
With the owner exclaiming "I built it all meself"
A similar thing used to happen a few years ago with Suzuki gixers
A bike would be chucked up the road ,all the plastic destroyed
People would fit some tacky set of twin headlights
Polish the frame and then claim it was a "streetfighter"
"All built meself mate"🤣😂
Click to expand...
Being old enough, and having done it meself, this reminds me very much of "building" choppers in my misspent youth. Cut off the stuff that looks unneeded, mail order a sissy bar and extended fork tubes, and slap on a set of ape hanger handlebars and you were right up there with the best of the Easy Riders crowd.
Oh to be that young and maybe not so dumb again o_O
 
MikeG said:
Being old enough, and having done it meself, this reminds me very much of "building" choppers in my misspent youth. Cut off the stuff that looks unneeded, mail order a sissy bar and extended fork tubes, and slap on a set of ape hanger handlebars and you were right up there with the best of the Easy Riders crowd.
Oh to be that young and maybe not so dumb again o_O
Click to expand...
Funny enough I've just hardtailed a bike for my other half
No apes , extended forks though sorry 😂😂
 
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