Some times it leaves me a bit cumfuzzled.
I have "race-cafe-custom" going through my head all the time.
If I LET THINGS COME to me THEY WILL EVENTUALLY!!!!! But I stew sit and ponder and then stew some more....and nothin gets done.
If I am going race bike? or going total custom whatever bike? or cafe bike?? Well, i have found these pressing little but EARTH SHAKING decision tidbits at this time.
The air pump and the air pump welded mounting brackets on the front down tube. Simple instinct tells me loose it quickly just like an old band-aid, just yank it, cut it, and grind it and make it gone and smooth with out any more thought... And then I have to think about it, and I put it off further.It is just a nifty tid-bit and completely unnecessary and wrong at any logic for a cafe-racer or racer bike, but there it still is......... Hmmm..
The horn and the horn mounting bracket low on the second tube. I will be driving it on the street and may' need by law to have a horn. (And I will research the laws on this issue) It is kinda cool lookin!, but logic says to make it go away. It is big and heavy, not sure what it sounds like and I kinda dont want to know even. If law dictates it, a horn I could put a old bulb-squeezer on the handle bars, or a new hi-teck small and light noise maker under the seat that I am sure would blow the sound from the old horn away when it plays laCucauaracha, We are the Champions, and innagottadavita.
Hmmmm...Still there???
I need to decide if I am going to use a portain of the old fender in the rear as a splash guard....just in this area. I'm thinking it is the easy way yess.... but -- NO. I would like the opportunity to make my own design inner splash/fender/ thingy. At least I think I need to waste some money and time on it! Yes?
Now I chopped the rear end of the bike, the nifty side covers that I have made, well.... kinda smell....Im thinking something new is between the ears somewhere- but the smell hasn't lifted yet?
O THERE IT IS!!!! I think the chain guard has gotta go it STINKS BAD!, I am unsure of the brackets as of yet, one- I could use for a dealy-bobble-do-dad, and the rear I could use for some kind of custom glorious god-like shiny chain guard as of yet unknown in origion-- the Crusade Awaits--
(Yelling).....someone open a door-
K...first of all, I don't think you need to...should not?...lock yourself or the bike into a particular genre. You know that I have always viewed bikes as moving artwork, and as sculpture I think it is important, if not their right, to be original. I would like to see this bike have elements of vintage race bike, with areas that point to the era where it came from, WHILE being custom. Why can't we have it all? Your bronze "brother bike" was very much a custom bike with elements of modern bikes (funky gas cap) and areas that reminded us it was from an older time. So it should be with this one.
ReplyDeleteKeep the air pump and the chrome horn! This isn't a race bike, it is a street bike with race-like character. Both of those elements are integral in the bike's persona as much as the Ducati name on the foot pegs and engine. They remind people that it is indeed an old bike. If you are going to toss the nostalgic bits, and things that are useful -- like a good horn -- you have to throw away mirrors, lights, kickstand, etc. Follow my logic?
Old Blue and Darth Satan are great bikes...they aren't true race bikes, but who wants them to be?
Chain guard... I can't give an opinion until you decide about the rear fender. If there is a rear fender, a chain guard may look really good -- again I am talking about aesthetic balance here as opposed to being useful. If you are going with no visible rear fender and only doing an inner fender, then no chain guard may look better.
Do you have any full bike shots right now?
Why are their steel pipes on the side cover? I don't think you are making abstract art here so these confuse me... Those side covers are fucking bad-ass though. Are those brand new?
I think that the best advice I have is to stop and move to the front fender issue. It will help you get a better idea of the bike's personality as a whole and help you figure out where you are going with it all.
And btw, these are just my opinions I just write as if I am "telling" rather than "recommending". You get it tho.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...looking again, it sure seems like the side covers will hide the inner fender completely. Therefore, just chop the original fender, paint it black. With sidecovers it won't be seen right?
ReplyDelete