can't figure out where to go on my bike project

[Saki]

I'm kinda stuck at what to do next on my project, I wanted to cut the frame and go with a traditional look but on the other hand I'd like to make more an 80's style cafe and really just torn between the two.

(I'm looking at new headlights, that one is TOO large for this bike and saps power as well)

A few kz cafes around and they look good, but following the same build ideas just bugs me for some reason. Figured I'd ask for some ideas as I'm just stumped, hell I think I might just make the new seat I've been working on and leave the rest alone.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Just start... Pick the least favorite quality about your bike. And change it... Then Move on to the next thing that you think sucks about it, and so on....

Eventually it will be you, and also be unique...

 

[joe_russo31]

Y

Just start... Pick the least favorite quality about your bike. And change it... Then Move on to the next thing that you think sucks about it, and so on....

Eventually it will be you, and also be unique...

That's very well put!

 

[teazer]

Saki,

What is it you like about that "traditional Look" or "80's Cafe look" and what don't you like about either? Maybe that will help you to work out what it is that you really want the bike to look at.

There's an old parable about getting rid of the ugliest kid/part of a bike/neighbor/vegetable. get rid of the one that really doesn't fit and look at the bike again. Some part will still look wrong, so cut that part off. repeat until you have no parts left because there will always be one part that's uglier than the others.

Show us the two bikes you liek best and help us to understand what you are looking for. That process will probably reveal what you really want.

 

[Uncle Ernie]

What he ^ said.

I used to have a boss who would tell me, "If you don't know what to do, sit on your thumbs".
Took me a long time to "get" it.

My personal experience is -especially from my last bike; Just ride it and let it talk to you.
Flailing your arms around in a dark room is just going to hurt something. Probably both of you. Not a hugely wondrous picture, but it seems like a unique combination of Brat and Cafe right now. I like it the way it is (maybe a slightly smaller HL, but not essentail) (and I might need a little more padding for my boney self).

 

[gsalter]

Saki

What has always helped for me is to sketch some ideas. You don't need to be a great artist to do this. Thumb through some bikes you like to get ideas. Take good side shots of your bike with a camera with it level. Then trace the bike onto some paper and make copies. You can then sketch away to help give you some direction. Some of the greatest creations have been done on bar napkins. I'm just saying..

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

All of these are good advice. I would just take it slow and one part @ a time. That way you don't end up rendering your bike un-ride-able for long periods of time. And you can enjoy each modification as it happens. I know several people who bought there 1st project this last yr. They blew them apart immediately. Now there over there head.

Also, I dont know it $ is a concern for your build. But, if it is... Style can be cheap. Sometimes free. Speed cost $

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Saki

Thumb through some bikes you like to get ideas...

Like many here I am a memeber on several forums, so I see all kinds of builds... I have a folder in the 'puter called "Motivational" that I save pics of any bike that makes me go "WOW" when I see it. Every once in a while, I just scan through what I have saved and get an idea of a little of this and a little of that...

 

[Reinhard]

Looks like you're already there. Make the best of what you got. keep the rims. Make a seat. leave the tank. clip ons. its there dude. Christ if I can make an 82 gl500 cool you can do this