Handlebar question

[troybilt]

Sure, clip-ons and drag bars were used back in the day for drag racing, but I wouldn't say it was the norm on street bikes. I'm not an old timer, obviously, but I've done tons of research on custom bikes...

I’m not sure that “custom bike” means that we must build within the exact confines of the label given to each style of bike. To me “custom bike” means just that. Its custom.
To me the lines are made to be blurred to a certain extent and that helps define the term “custom bike“.

To me chops can have what ever bars a builder chooses to put on them. This way the owner can make it more custom to his liking.This is just my opinion. I think we are each entitled to our own.

Life times have been spent debating what defines certain labels given to motorcycles. I for one hate labels. For me they are mere starting points used to describe a certain style of motorcycle. After that it is all about “customizing”

I think your original post was about bars found on “brat style”

To me the label “brat style” can have flat seat rails or konged rails. The seats are two up or single and shocks and swing arm are pretty much a give in. I’m not convinced that the bars define brat style. Builders are putting pretty much what ever bars they want on “brat style’ bikes. I think this label falls under the definition of “custom” bike and I think that leaves a little wiggle room for creativity. Not much but a little.

 

[Kev Nemo]

Well, the fact is that Bratstyle is a shop. It's like saying "I'm doing a WCC bike", so there's a line between "custom" and "copy". It also keeps people from discovering all the other awesome builders in Japan like Gravel Crew, Hide, Yellow, and other shops doing sick stuff with Japanese bikes.

You're right about the term "custom". This guy built a "custom" "chopper", too:

if he joined right now and posted that bike with build details, you're telling me we're all so liberal here that he would get accepted into the fold? I think I'll just end it on that; I feel like I'm writing in circles here.

 

[Tim]

I'd like to nominate that 'custom chopper' for DO THE TON Feb 2010 Bike of the Month

 

[kbmx613]

He needs to air up his front tire.

 

[troybilt]

I'd like to nominate that 'custom chopper' for DO THE TON Feb 2010 Bike of the Month

Hate to burst your bubble Tim but I believe the Democratic process will take over here and I don't think you'll get a "second". That's about as far as its going to get ;D

He needs to air up his front tire.

I guess the shop missed that the last time he had it in. ;D

 

[mrkil]

you know
with a fresh coat of paint and maybe less O.C.C. bars, that wouldn't be a half bad bike

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Hey Kev,
I find alot of mini style apes on Mopeds @ the salvage yard. And they sell them for $5 or so. Then I cut the crap out of them and end up w/ Something unique. I cant afford top dollar names like Builtwel etc. Not to say they dont make a nice product. I just prefer to build bikes... Not assemble them. Ya know? Louie

 

[mrkil]

so "bolting on" premade handlebar isn't building?

huh ???

 

[Kanticoy]

so "bolting on" premade handlebar isn't building?

huh ???

I don't think that's what he was getting at. He was just pointing out that with a little creativity you can come up with some pretty badass stuff on the cheap. Real cheap. Hence moped apes.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

so "bolting on" premade handlebar isn't building?

huh ???

The more parts I can make myself the More $ I have to spend on things that I am not capable of making... So ya, I do as much building as I can, and the least amount of assembling. Assembling can get expensive.
I was just simply trying to express that when it comes to fairly simple things like bars (especially apes) . We are not exactly stuck w/ whats on the market.
On the other hand, I am not casting pistons and turning cam's. So I open the catalog, I purchase, and assemble...

 

[thompsonmx100]

I'll be building a bobber for the wifey next winter and it'll have apes on it obviously not real tall ones as their gonna be legal but apes none the less. So maybe I can break the DTT bobber bar mold if someone doesn't beat me to it.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

I'll be building a bobber for the wifey next winter and it'll have apes on it obviously not real tall ones as their gonna be legal but apes none the less. So maybe I can break the DTT bobber bar mold if someone doesn't beat me to it.

I already did...haha

 

[troybilt]

Hey Kev,
I find alot of mini style apes on Mopeds @ the salvage yard. And they sell them for $5 or so. Then I cut the crap out of them and end up w/ Something unique. I cant afford top dollar names like Builtwel etc. Not to say they dont make a nice product. I just prefer to build bikes... Not assemble them. Ya know? Louie

Cut up moped apes are a fantastic idea. You could make a few to sell for a little extra cash.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Cut up moped apes are a fantastic idea. You could make a few to sell for a little extra cash.

I have thought about this.... I buy so many pairs of handle bars its ridiculous, just to cut. I think it's the liability factor that has kept me from doing it.

 

[troybilt]

As long as they're solid (I'm sure they are) man go for it. Just make up a disclaimer and toss on a big warning sticker :. If I put taller bars on my bob I'd like something like that for sure. Hell, I'd even sign a waiver ;D

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

As long as they're solid (I'm sure they are) man go for it. Just make up a disclaimer and toss on a big warning sticker :. If I put taller bars on my bob I'd like something like that for sure. Hell, I'd even sign a waiver ;D

Change your screen name to Guinea pig... Haha

 

[troybilt]

Hahaha. I was always that kid. Lucky for me though one a little dumber would step in and do the real crazy stuff. I guess I knew my limits ;D.

 

[thompsonmx100]

Yeah Louie I realized that after I posted that comment. Well maybe I can be #2. That didn't come out right. I'll be ther first with a build thread maybe. Should be fun though the build that is the wifes looking forward to it.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Yeah Louie I realized that after I posted that comment. Well maybe I can be #2. That didn't come out right. I'll be ther first with a build thread maybe. Should be fun though the build that is the wifes looking forward to it.

#2 is the shit!!!!!

 

[Scruffy]

Guess it comes down to what you are used to...

I hate low bars. Kill my back, which is already destroyed from L-1 on down. Dessicated discs, missing disc chunks, missing bone chunks. My Savage with a 3/4" thick seat and stock foot controls runs 15" apes. Absolutely perfect, I run them straight up, 90 degrees to the ground instead of following the fork legs. Pinned through the riser caps with stainless steel screws so they won't move in the risers (stock crap). Krome Werks brand bars.

My wife runs 10" mini-apes on her 800 Intruder. Stock seat and foot controls. She says it's perfect for her, and we tried everything from stock to 1970s custom bars before I scored those Flanders for $10 at the bike shop.

My CL72 has a tweaked set of braced offroad bars on it. Will run Super Bike or similar bars or clubmans. I was going to hardtail it and semi-dirt track it (if you read the Horse, think Desert Rose Triumph), decided to go with suspension and semi or full cafe styling. My neighbor's niece wants it done so she can learn on it. She's 12... Just something for me to play with on the local twisties.

I find I have more control with the apes than with lower bars. I've had a LOT of bikes, mostly older American and Brit. Everyone that was switched to higher than stock bars handled 1000% better, definitely more responsive to steering inputs.