Author Topic: Some thoughts on "Biker Build Off" (Read 7083 times)

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:05:11 PM »

Quote from: Raul CB750K1 on April 25, 2007, 12:58:35 PM

Leave the SOHC's alone. If they do it, people out there will hunt for old CB's and price will increase even more.

I agree.
The minute something is shown on TV, it becomes the thing to have...

sandcastcb750 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:07:31 PM »

I agree with Raul. There is no thought in building those bikes. I always question any of the engineering those guys have or don't have. Could you trust riding those bikes?

By their own admission on "David Letterman" the Orange Chopper guys went from wrought iron ornamental welding to building bikes. What does that tell you?

SD750F · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:26:58 PM »

You're right guys. I didn't think about the public desire for our bikes once a show like that was aired... So nobody writes the producers agreed?

Scott

Badger 5 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2007, 01:28:48 PM »

AGREED

edbikerii · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2007, 02:27:38 PM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on April 25, 2007, 01:05:11 PM

Quote from: Raul CB750K1 on April 25, 2007, 12:58:35 PM
Leave the SOHC's alone. If they do it, people out there will hunt for old CB's and price will increase even more.
I agree.
The minute something is shown on TV, it becomes the thing to have...

Did anybody notice the other night on American Chopper that Paul Sr's personal chopper is a CB750? Paulie and some of the guys were bustin his chops about it, but Sr. said it was "real old school" or something like that.

bill440cars · « **Reply #30 on:** April 25, 2007, 04:57:45 PM »

A couple of years ago, I watched some of those "American Chopper" episodes and quickly got tired of all the bull, cussing and fussing, you know?

Anyway, I don' know exactly why but, I was channel surfing a few days ago and came across them going to do a bike for Billy Joel. And when they said that they were doing an Indian, I stopped surfing and watched. I think it was one of the first times (if not the first) that the customer had them on their toes and told them how they were going to do the bike!

The main thing that they did, that turned me off was, they put a H-D front end on it instead of the old Indian "leaf spring type" (and they are reproducing them now).

Later on, Bill

333 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2007, 05:50:42 PM »

I also got tired of American Chopper and the soap opera, but have recently got HDTV. It brings a new life to these shows. It also seems that the Pauls are doing more custom work with some nice tools. The stuff they machine with water is unbelievable. For the most part, the bikes aren't meant for real riding. When they did the one for Billy Joel, they complained that they had to put on turn signals and a speedo! Bikes for posers!

Mikey is a hoot, though.

my78k · « **Reply #32 on:** April 25, 2007, 06:25:10 PM »

Guys, 2 things....first off I didn't read all of this thread...secondly no disrespect intended but I can barely bring myself to comment on this stuff...

No knock against you Raul by any means! I realize you have only just started watching these....a few years ago when these shows started to air I watched them religiously! Now I can't stand em...not sure if I have learned more if they have dumbed the shows down...seem to remember there being alot more technical content and fas less BS fighting, yelling, trying to look cool etc etc...

I really wish there was a decent how to / commentary / knowledge based show out there...I would love to sit down and watch an hour a week that actually talks about how to weld or mechanical tips and tricks!

The closest thing I can find is shows like V-Twin motorcycle tv...but obviously geared toward the HD crowd etc...nothing for sportbike riders or enthusiasts of bikes in general. Not knocking HD's but I can't afford a dresser that is worth as much as my house let alone all the bolt on parts they focus on on those shows...

Dennis

burmashave · « **Reply #33 on:** April 25, 2007, 07:04:42 PM »

I used to watch the build offs and American Chopper, but I don't much anymore. The thing about American Chopper is that the Tuttles are in it for the money and have been since fairly early on. Note that they had branded an amazing amount of crap -- including playing cards sold at my local Autozone -- after just a couple of seasons. After season two, they moved to building bikes primarily for corporate sponsors, and about that time, we saw the American Chopper Bicycle. I understand there is an American Chopper video game. Last year, I caught their episode about the horror show that became their "production bike."

Now, that doesn't make them good, bad or otherwise, and I respect how they've been able to turn their show into a gold mine. As I see it, American Chopper is entertainment. We're not going to buy their bikes, nor am I going to fork over some cash for American Chopper playing cards. I think their show is entertainment with some bike design thrown in. Some of that design is interesting. Given their massive saturation, I'm surprised they are still as popular as they are.

Badger 5 · « **Reply #34 on:** April 26, 2007, 05:34:47 AM »

Off the subject I know: $:-\$

I couldn't be more happy for the Tuttles. They are a perfect example of the American dream. Old man Tuttle used to be an alcoholic and it drove his family apart. He pulled him self together and started the fencing business which gave him the money to play around with his hobby, bikes, and now he is a millionair and it brought the family back together. I know of to many times that a story like that has gone south. If yuppies want to buy their overpriced bikes than keep taking there money.

mic-57 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 26, 2007, 08:00:58 AM »

As I see it most of the bikes that are built on these shows are sculptures, rolling pieces of art. It is not about the function to the builder (or the buyer) but the form. When I used to watch these shows I did notice that almost no thought was given to rideability or safety ( just look at the primary drive belt on these things) if if handled well it was by accident.
These shows are just reality TV with motorcycles, from what I can gather most fans want the drama and the bickering more than the technical know how.
I am in agreement I would love to watch a show that goes over the fine points of choosing a different tire size to change your handling characteristics but that show would lose most viewers in the first 5 minutes. Most of the people I know who buy new bikes don't even change their own oil.
Just my Two Cents,

Donzon · « **Reply #36 on:** April 26, 2007, 08:42:31 AM »

For me, Biker Buildoff is still infinitely better than American Chopper. At least they largely stick to building the bikes! For some reason people just love AC and I sure can't see why, nothing but #$%* #$%* #$%*. Here they run back to back episodes several times a week and Biker Buildoff is hardly ever on anymore. Agreed it's more about art than function, but some of the bikes sure are pretty.

Don

Andoo · « **Reply #37 on:** April 26, 2007, 09:08:42 AM »

A local builder here in HB "Chica" makes some rad bikes. He also loves his jap bikes. He has a cool k1000R turbo charged.

I was at their shop the other day and they hand make (in house) all of their products they sell. wheels, handlebars, spacers ect.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:23:55 PM »

Now let me raise a question. Imagine any of those rich customers get hurt with those bikes -I'm talking OCC or any other "builder". When I say "hurt" I mean a trouser leg caught with the primary drive, a head-on collision at low speed that ends with a bad cut or bruise in a limb due to a spike or edge on the bike, a coat or t-shirt caught by the exposed rear wheel, a burn leg by the pipe, or a spill while turning due to the crazy geometry. Now the rich guys, with his own lawyers on the payroll, decide to sue them for not having advised about the dangers of the vehicle, or for building unsafe vehicles that has undergo no homologation whatsoever. What would happen then?

Raul

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #39 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:27:36 PM »

Raul,

I've often thought the same thing, particularly with some of the "lethal" looking extras they've added. I have to believe the contract between them and the buyer must say something that holds the builder harmless. If not, it should.

dusterdude · « **Reply #40 on:** April 26, 2007, 01:46:23 PM »

you can bet your britches that any of those bikes built for "customers" is dead nuts legal and rideable.

Gordon · « **Reply #41 on:** April 26, 2007, 02:38:07 PM »

Quote from: dusterdude on April 26, 2007, 01:46:23 PM

you can bet your britches that any of those bikes built for "customers" is dead nuts legal and rideable.

I don't know about that. I'd bet they have all their customers sign a waiver that says they understand the bike they are buying is not approved for use on public roads and that OCC is not liable for any injuries caused by riding the bike.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 26, 2007, 04:21:42 PM »

Quote from: Gordon on April 26, 2007, 02:38:07 PM

Quote from: dusterdude on April 26, 2007, 01:46:23 PM
you can bet your britches that any of those bikes built for "customers" is dead nuts legal and rideable.

I don't know about that. I'd bet they have all their customers sign a waiver that says they understand the bike they are buying is not approved for use on public roads and that OCC is not liable for any injuries caused by riding the bike.

I don't think any bike with an exposed primary chain or drive will be street legal, while any machinery with belts or pulleys must have the transmision covered, and many times they must include a safety device in such a way that the equipment is deenergized as soon as the protective cover is opened.Billy Lane's bike with exhausts under the seat -thad he had to soak with water that started to vaporize- would be street legal either. Another bike -can't remember which one- whose rear wheel was damaged for rubbing against the too-close rear fender doesn't seem much safe to me. Billy Lane himself got his trousers ruined by the exposed primary chain. He laughed at it-i wonder how would have he laughed had the chain indeed catch the cloth with the sprocket.

They would argue that those bikes are not for the faint of heart, just for rebels or outlaws. Gimme a break! The people who can afford those bikes are the ones who have more to loose if something go wrong! I don't think Billy Joel would like to cancel any of his shows because of an accident.

And, what can I say about the "theme" bikes? Have you read Naomi Klein's "No logo"? As she said, rock and roll was a form of rebellion. Big companies noticed that there was a big advertising potential on rock followers, so they started to sponsor shows or even tours. But that way they had to be at the mercy of the band or promoters. Companies went one step ahead and they started to promote their own shows, hiring the artists, but having the dealing hand about how big the company name would appear on the banners etc. And so it goes with "Theme bikes". Rebels started to chop their bikes, some of them customized them, they became a trend, big companies noticed there was a big advertising potential in such a niche found by "hunters of the cool" and with their big pockets they bought the hoodlum bike icon.

So sad....

Raul

MRieck · « **Reply #43 on:** April 26, 2007, 05:11:31 PM »

Quote from: dusterdude on April 26, 2007, 01:46:23 PM

you can bet your britches that any of those bikes built for "customers" is dead nuts legal and rideable.

I wonder....Jesse James just paid the huge fine for emissions.

333 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 27, 2007, 05:19:27 AM »

The definition of "street legal" differs from state to state. Some states require turn signals, some don't. All Virginia cares about is if they work. Virginia also has a problem with some of the "off the shelf" frames. A friend once told me that if VA didn't approve it, insurance companies couldn't cover it.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #45 on:** April 27, 2007, 09:56:55 AM »

BigDog jsut had to start putting reflectors on their bikes to make them 50 state legal 4 sale..
Atleast they were smart about it, and made it a 5 min job to get rid of them..

Ingrid · « **Reply #46 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:26:03 AM »

I dont think the special bikes you can see being built on OCC ever get to ride to the end of the street before being packed up and put on display somewhere. These bikes just don't seem to be made for riding to me...

Rushoid · « **Reply #47 on:** April 27, 2007, 11:00:08 AM »

Something tells me that if a celebrity took a spill while riding one of these bikes, they'd want to keep it quiet. They bought the bike because they thought it would make them look cool. How cool would they look if they couldn't ride it?

bill440cars · « **Reply #48 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:23:01 PM »

I can not see paying more for a bike than I did a FOUR wheeled vehicle!

Back in 93' I bought a Dodge Grand Caravan Sport Wagon for about $18,000 and about 6 months later a buddy parked his Gold Wing Aspencade, when he bought a new H-D for about the same amount! I couldn't believe it then and feel the same now. BTW, my buddy put about a 1000miles on the H-D. After getting passed by a semi a few times and feeling the wobble because of the fork mounted fairing, he parked the H-D, put the "FOR SALE" sign on the H-D and started riding the Wing again. He never again mentioned wanting one of those again. True Story. So, as much as I love motorcycles (which, in one way or another, have been part of my life since I was born), no way would I even think about spending that kind of money for something with only 2 wheels. I'd be looking to get a 69' road runner in prime condition first!

To each his own.

Later on, Bill

Ingrid · « **Reply #49 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:35:04 PM »

thats why we are oldtimers

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Author Topic: Some thoughts on "Biker Build Off" (Read 7083 times)

Andoo