Topic: Is it bad form to name a bike when the build project has only just begun?

[Kong]

I plan to put together a build thread on the cafe 550 I've just got started on; there are already lots of photos but more of disassembly and cleaning than anything else.

At any rate I know what the bike will look like when its done, except for deciding on what tank and tail section I'll use.  What I mean is I know what the color scheme is going to be for the entire bike, with the exception of a few small parts.  The name I will use for it is based on part on how the bike will be painted but its a pun as well.  So, the question is, am I premature in laying claim to my bike's name when really all that's been done is two parts bikes have been torn down?  Oh, and is it fair game to just go to the Project Forum and post a couple of 'as found' and maybe a couple of the teardown as an introduction and name it then and there?

[tramp]

your bike, your project
name it when you want to

[fmctm1sw]

I vote:  faux pas 

[MCRider]

Naming a machine is an interesting human thing. Drag Racers often name their machines. Road Racers do not. Has to do with the relationship. A drag racer can hang around for seasons, go thru transfomations but still do its job. Road racers tend to be one or 2 seasons then discradred.

I've named mine, coming from a drag racing background. But i roadraced too. But i seldom call it by name, nor do i ever call it she. It is and always will be an "it".

Bottom line, i say name it something that means something to you. Then let that be incentive to bring it to life.

[Stev-o]

Sounds like you've already named it, make it public. There have been guys that have changed names mid-stream!

Have you seen this thread......

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=75069.0

[SOHC Digger]

I've named bikes in the build process, but ended up ditching the names before I was done.  One bike was going to be called "Hell's Belle", but after I saw the Billy Lane bike by the same name, I decided against it.  "Black Betty" was another, but it seemed too passe.  I don't have a name for the build I'm doing now, but maybe this time it will come at the end and stick.

So go ahead and name your build, but don't be surprised if you change your mind in the end.