Fashion comes at a high price, so it is said, and that statement applies to custom motorcycles. The chopper is a prime example, with practicality almost completely abandoned at the altar of high style. The look is outrageous, but chopper perform far worse than a stock bike. It’s a war between the mundane and the majestic, the heart and the mind, and you have to decide how far you’re willing to go to achieve the “perfect” build.
This 1974 Honda CB360 from Micah Vince of Detroit, MI, is a great example of the compromises required to reach the look and style he was after. I find the bike extremely attractive, with a wonderful, muted color scheme and aggressive stance. She’s a joy to behold, and I would be willing to wager she receives admiring glances wherever she roams.
It’s the going part that troubles me. First off is a complete lack of turn signals and mirrors, with a brake light mounted so low as to be very ineffective. This produces a sleek appearance, but increases the danger level beyond acceptable. It’s hard enough to be seen while riding, why make that task even more difficult? The riveted leather slab that comprises the seat surely evokes tha charm and simplicity of yesteryear, but it’s almost completely useless on any ride that involves more than a trip around the block. She’s a great around-town and show bike, but the limitations built in allow her to only be that.
In the battle between heart and mind, all show and no go may initially look perfect, but in the long run it’s a losing proposition. The bike as art is an interesting concept, but ultimately defeats a motorcycles’ raison d'être- to ride.
She sure does look nice, though!
Source: Moto-Mucci
0 comments:
Post a Comment