A few words.

I think its clear many people have been having similar feelings lately.

I think we will just have to accept that some people are on DTT to only help themselves. Which is fine, that's probably how most of us started out on here anyway. I know I did.

The thing that makes DTT awesome is that there are so many amazing people willing to unconditionally help complete strangers. That is what transformed me from a 'I'm only here for your help' member into a 'I will do whatever I can do to help you' member. (Even if it is only moral support in my case because I still barely know anything.)

I just hope that many of the new/future members develop the same sense of community and comradeship that I did. I look forward to making new DTT friends, because I love all of my current DTT pals like we have been friends for 10 years.

(Also, I was always under the impression that having a build thread on here was a requirement to be eligible for BOTM? How can a bike be a DTT bike of the month if it isn't even a DTT bike?!)
 
If the membership of our site ever degrades to the point where nothing but criticism and sarcasm are offered as opposed to the contributions and help our members are now famous for, I'll shut the doors - trust me.

I think we're safe, and this thread is proving it :)
 
I don't think I've been around long enough to have my opinion matter on such but I've always thought the BOTM is just a purdy bike that the members want to stare at for the month.
 
either way i do hope for a DTT meet up again this year, i saved the vacation days and will not miss this one!
 
Swapmeet Louie said:
And when there is a useful post, it just gets buried by Which bars?, where to buy clubmans? seat hoop or no seat hoop?

Lame
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i joined this site a year ago after lurking for six months or so. thanks to all the great people on this site i've gone from not knowing anything to adjusting timing, replacing tires, cleaning carbs... none of it major i know but i've also gone from having a bike with a lot of potential to having a bike that i built myself that i think looks great and that i'm proud of. when i joined the site i didn't know what kind of bars or where to buy clubmans or hoop or no hoop. if it weren't for this site i still wouldn't know.
i say the more people on the board the greater the wealth of experience. yeah there'll be more posts about things more experienced builders already know but so what?

i do think that BOTM nominees should be required to have a build thread and minimum number of posts. you can't really blame the site for voting for the bike though. i imagine that a lot of people that voted for this months winner probably didn't realize the builder wasn't a long time member and might not have voted for it had they known.
 
All that being said, it really is a sweet Norvin. I just wish I could have watched it progress from a pile of metal.
 
I can definately see the point in this topic.
ive shared the build of two bikes with you guys, and i can certainly say, if it wasnt for you guys (ya'll know who you are) i wouldnt have accomplished many of the tasks i had in front of me, hell kiley and brandon, you guys gave me your phone number without hesitation and instructed me through stuff.
you guys all have been great inspiration and help to me, hell when i first started out, i was on my own and didnt know very much, and while im still not the most versed when it comes to this stuff, i can now happily say that i can work my way through issues and stuff thanks to your guys's help.
i think that is something weve all felt, and deep inside still do.
i too have noticed the slight increase in douche-bags on the site, but i usualy just avoid them, remembering theres always "the crew" (i think we all know who the crew is lol) who i can talk to and always count on, hell even talk crap to and still be cool knowing were just messing, i mean, ive been called taco muncher on here so much that i cant even count hahaha.
i say we just keep our chin up, roll with it,build for ourselves, help people as much as we can, and show them how great of a place this is. the people who dont belong will eventualy show themselves out.

and umm, now i cant think of more to write so il leave it at that hahaha.
 
Kiley, I get what you say, and have felt the same change, I find I filter the posts I read more and find it harder to keep in contact with those I feel a connection with, like you and the others I rode 1200 miles to meet. That trip changed me in a way I can't explain. My wife said I was calm for weeks after and just relaxed. Not like me normally. DTT has given me a place to converse with people who just seem to get stuff the same way. I feel it is slightly diluted with so many new members, however some of those new members are great, others are not, but I hope we can keep DTT the same place it has been and try to include as many in the family as we can. I also hope to never loose contact with the great folks I met. And hope to see them again as soon as I can. I have not met anybody around my home like the group on this site. I wish I could move closer to so many of you to talk in person and not have to type all the time. I agree on the bike of the month should come from a DTT person who has posted their progress and shown their work to us all and bounced Ideas of of us all etc. I would know F all about bikes if it wasn;t for finding this site 3 + years ago and having guys like you help me out. I have 0 funds, but manage to run 2 old bikes on shoe string budget and even get to modify them a bit thanks to the great guys and gals on this site. I hope that the great people stay and the Douche bags just fade away as they always seem to.

So I don't know if that makes sense or not, but I hope the blues go away, I know I have my tank and seat in the basement wrming up for new paint and a battery box to fix up for spring to help get rid of my blues, and if I can scrounge a few $$ I found a 1972 CD175 With my wifes name on it ;D Just need to get someone else to teach her the basics eh Kiley ;D She won;t liek me teaching her but maybe I can get Denise to show her a few things this year at Troy's ;D

Cheers

Mike
 
Tim, as always you know I love you to death, if only for the simple fact that you are a cool guy. Nevermind all of the other things. I won't name names, because there are far too many people here to do that, and it would take me all day.

I think that we as a collective should do our best to represent what we're all about in every post that we make. It's great to see other people helping one another and striving to be the kind of place that promotes growth in the right direction rather than being a clique that disregards anyone who doesn't fit into the blank. I am all for new members man, we were all new members at one point. I also can't fault a guy for not posting on the web a lot, because some weeks I am that guy. I am however a huge proponent of promoting good builds and helping the next guy out because honestly, Ebay has been hiking the prices through the roof on parts prices lately, and the people that do have them want to make a fortune off of them. I have many many parts here that I would have otherwise sold on eBay, but have kept because I would rather them go to someone here so that I can see them used. I enjoy seeing other people happy about what they have created. I love the process way more than the product to be honest with you. The build threads brought me here, the people building made me stay. I will continue to help anyone out that I can, because if we weren't put on this earth to help one another, then there is absolutely no purpose to us at all. That is my firm belief, not only in a motorcycle site, but in the world in general.

There is nothing for us to do than to be real. I ask all of you to lose the ego and admit when you need a hand. I surely will. In doing that you will make it okay for other people to do the same, and the questions will get asked that will receive the right answers rather than the ones that belittle or discredit. This isn't a competition. This is a community. We all have the ability to embrace one another and let the ideas flow. That will build a strong foundation that we can all rely on as we have all been able to do for so long already. Those that don't contribute are welcome to share and show what they have, god knows that I like seeing new and interesting bikes. I live for the two wheels. But for those that take the time to help one another, and to share what they've learned, well, those are the real teachers, and the credit is due to those folks.

BOTM was never the complete purpose of this site. But if any "rule" were to be put in place, let it be simply that you built it in the eyes of this community, and in doing so, you've earned the right to represent this community to thousands and thousands of people. When a person clicks the BOTM and then they are directed to the build thread, there is no telling what those who love your bike will learn from the process that created it. That is an honorable thing to be able to claim. I don't think that it needs to be any more complicated than that.

But for the real root of the problem at hand, I want to have the same sense of family that has already existed here for so long. I want to see all of the people that I love so much posting again because they are inspired to do so. posts about fights with parents, when we have given advice time and time again to the contrary, do nothing but make people feel like their time could be better spent. However, condolences and love to members who are going through true tough times show the true character of the people here. Love for someone many miles away, and heartfelt shared emotion due to another person's circumstances are the stuff that life, even away from the motorcycle sites should be made off.

Passion and compassion. That's a hardcore combination.

Thank you guys so much for being so responsive. You're all alright in my book!
 
I've been here since '07 and have seen quite a bit of change over the past few years. I remember back then you could easily keep up-to-date on all the builds, you knew most everyone on the site, knew their personalities and knew what bikes they had and were working on. However, these days I'm having a very hard time keeping up with everything going on here. Not saying this is a bad thing, but theres just so much activity here that I'm having to pick and choose what threads and discussions to keep track of. No way I can keep up on everything. This fact has left me feeling a little disassociated or out of touch with the site. The sense of a tight-knit community is lost somewhat.


In terms of the BOTM, I think its good from the point of view that it sometimes exposes me to builds on the site that I haven't seen or haven't visited in quite some time. At least it makes me aware of some of the better builds and links me to their particular threads so I can check them out. Every month I see new bikes that I didn't realize were on the site. I do feel that every bike nominated should have paid some dues to the site, meaning they should have a build thread documenting their work. Through that process it gives all the members a view into their work and how they work, and so, giving back to the community.


Interestingly I've been noticing this phenomenon with expanding forums elsewhere around the net. Our membership is ever growing over at hondatwins.net and I'm starting to get similar feelings over there recently. Ever harder to keep on top of all the bikes and members. Very easy to get lost in all the conversations.


With all of this said, my day wouldn't be the same without my DTT fix. ;D
 
I found this site completely by accident. I was searching for a seat pan, while thumbing through a few vendors. I didn't even know what CRTV was until I found this place. And I do find my self criticizing the bought built bikes.

I have always had a hands on approach on all my bikes, and cars. Nothing for me has ever remained stock, even the wife's Focus has been a victim. This site provided me with an outlet for my dreams of what I want my bike to be. Even though I know that my bike will never fit the true definition of a café racer. Sure I belong to a forum that is geared towards my make and model of bike, but they don't have the passion. Let me rephrase that, they don't have the passion to do some thing above and beyond stock with there bikes. This community has helped me in many ways, and I hope that my contributions have helped others.

As for BOTM, I never really checked it out.

as a new member, if you don't mind, I shall hang around.
 
Yep. I get what everyone is saying. I haven't been as active lately due, in part, to this new vibe. And yes, we need another get together! That was one of the best times I've had ever. It was cool to be around so many bike nerds like me. As far as BOTM, I agree 100% that a bike needs to have a build thread. BOTM isn't about a pretty bike that we want to look at for a month, it's an honor bestowed upon a builder(hopefully) by his peers. It's all of us saying "Great Job" to another one of us. And also, the faithful will be here, fad or no fad. Mediocre tv show or not. We'll always have the loud mouths the douches, and the good ole boys.
And Kiley, you just need to get your ass down to the beach for a little while brother. You've got an open invite and you know it. Come down to the real Gulf Shores City Limits! We'll have bushmills and guiness waiting.
 
Maritime said:
She won;t liek me teaching her but maybe I can get Denise to show her a few things this year at Troy's ;D
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Damned right. She'd be all about a bigger representation from the wives. She always prides herself on being the best wife because she always agrees to tag along with all of my retarded friends. And yes, that's ALL of you! Welcome to the club!
 
Deviant1 said:
And Kiley, you just need to get your ass down to the beach for a little while brother. You've got an open invite and you know it. Come down to the real Gulf Shores City Limits! We'll have bushmills and guiness waiting.
Click to expand...

I will take you up on that. I promise. The sign will remind me.
 
Kanticoy said:
Damned right. She'd be all about a bigger representation from the wives. She always prides herself on being the best wife because she always agrees to tag along with all of my retarded friends. And yes, that's ALL of you! Welcome to the club!
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Yes, My wife soo wanted to come last year but had 0 time off. And I take being one of your retarded friends as a compliment thank you very much :) I have 4 weeks vacation this year so I will make it to at least one if not both gatherings. I hope to bring family to meet all of you , but it may end up just me on the wing again. What ever it takes.
 
As far as BOTM goes, I think it should only be members that have done a build thread on the bike. That way, just as I did when I was new to this site, a new member goes, "oh wow cool bike" click on the banner and it takes you to the build thread where the new guy gets to meet the great contributing members here on this site and learn a thing or ten. Rather than just seeing a bike that for all we know was just bought because it was cool.


Sean
 
Well... I think youre all special. :-*

Honestly though, I agree with most points here. I have certainly noticed a change in the sites overall "feeling". Whether thats good or bad isnt for me to decide though. Im just going to roll with it.

I still log on everyday to see what guys and gals are turning out. I still talk to a good number of you on the phone, and in the chat almost daily. I will still offer up any part I may have, and dont need for as little money (if any) as possible, even to folks who are new. (Though after seemingly getting burned a couple times now, I may slow down the charity section of the garage...)

I believe the new members are mostly great! There have been some really cool bikes popping up here. And more importantly perhaps, some really cool people. Sure with them have been a slew of d-bags who just want to show off their toys and get a quick tug under the table for it. Fuck em'. I at one point, tried to "feel" people out when the decided to join the fray. After being talked down to, ignored, or generally treated like a POS, I dont care anymore.

If youre new, and really believe in what youre doing, itll show through the wall of crap. And after that, Ill do anything in my power to help you. I think a few mwmbers here will attest to that. And, the reason Ill do that is because so many of you have done the same for me. Anyone who has followed any of my build threads (especially the latest) know that I couldnt do half of the things I have without the members who I am lucky enough to call my friends.

I have been involved in a couple stupid arguments lately, based on what I thought were people who were acting in a way that was either hurtfull to the site, or just plane shitty to other members for no reason. After each time I stated why I though someone was in the wrong on the site, I felt good. Not because I enjoy giving some guy 1000 miles away shit over the net, but because I felt like I was standing up for the rest of the members here.

I think we as a group simply need to be a bit more wary of those that are only interested in helping themselves. Everyone who signs up here should certainly be given the benifit of the doubt though. As stated, we were all "new guys" at some point.

Damn... Im rambling. I guess all Im trying to say is, everyone needs to be a bit more proactive to keep things running smoothly and without the general bullshit so many other forums are plauged with. This is our site. Its up to us to keep it kosher for EVERYONE. If someone is being a tool, dont start a fight or tell them they are an idiot. Explain in an intelligent way why theyre wrong and let it go. If someone is doing something that you believe to be unsafe, tell them so, without being a dick.

You never know how many new guys are lurking, who may be your neighbor with a killer bike, just looking for someone cool to hang with. The last thing you want is to be known as some internet asshole.

I do have to say, before I go though... (NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE PERSONNALY)

BECOME A DAMN SITE SUPPORTER! Thats one thing that has been irking me over the past few days. If you have the time to talk about how things here are pissing you off, or how much you love the place, you have the time to offer up a measly ten spot to keep it running. Dont be one of the takers...
 
Change changes everything.

Guys that built this community and built their bike over the first couple of years learned together and shared their experiences. Communities are built over common interests but it's shared experiences that friendships are built on.

Newbies can't be part of that, any more than I can. Sure I started off the same way, but that was a long time ago, so it's not possible for me to be as close as many of you are. And there are more people joining that cannot be a part of that core that started the site, but that's OK too.

More people makes for more input and the inevitable downside of seeing the same dumb questions coming up time after time. Of course none of us knew they were dumb at the time, until we learned. And in learning we change and grow and hopefully give back to others.

I'm here to try to contribute and give back and I still learn something everyday. None of us knows everything about everything and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know, and the more I have to share.

As for the BOTM, that Norvin is very nice but i didn't think it belonged as BOTM. To me BOTM here is for guys that have been building bikes here as a part of this community. It's a prize that only builders get to be part of. I don't think that BOTM should be awarded to blow ins looking for another trophy to add to the shelf. I used that expression to add emphasis to the point, not to accuse anyone.

There should be somewhere that we can see those incredible builds and be inspired but to me, BOTM is not the venue.

The other type of newbie that can be annoying at times are those who just want to promote their business. Or those who have yet to build a bike and are already announcing to the world that they are the world's best bike builders. OK slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean.

I'll pick one example just to illustrate it - GSalter and that CB750. It's not that the bike wasn't well done because it was really nice but they were using DTT as a promotional tool. That's legit too, but we may want to think about how we want to deal with that.

We don't want to ban those guys but we need to be able to see past the shine. As another example at teh opposite end of the spectrum is Eric "Zookie". he runs a small business but he isn't here to tell us what a great businessman he is or to push his services. He's just telling about his builds and offering advice based on years of experience.

It's up to us to be discerning about what we believe and what we distrust, but it adds another layer on top of the small group that used to hang out here and grew up together.

As Cafe Bikes or Retro Mods become more mainstream, things will continue to change, and hopefully DTT will grow and prosper and friendships will continue to prosper.
 
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