So Many Industry Experts

Pictures taken from Bike Exif.com

I read a lot of blogs about motorcycles, ranging from Bobbers to Cafe Racers to classic Harley-Davidson news. I read them because I love looking at motorcycles. Now I might not like them all and I've been outspoken before regarding my dislike for "Crotch Rockets" but that is mostly because I don't personally find bikes covered in plastic appealing unless I want to go dirt-biking.

If you like reading blogs, you most likely get all wrapped up in the comments section but lately I've noticed a trend regarding how many industry experts we have. I took the bikes shown above from a popular blog that relates to Cafe Racers. It is amazing how so many people know so much about how a motorcycle will ride just by looking at a picture.

Now just about none of the readers on that blog would even look twice at my billet covered Bobbed V-Twin. I've read enough comments on that blog to know that anyone riding a V-Twin is just a sell-out to the Harley marketers. That's a whole different blog post for a whole different day. Many of the comments they make about motorcycles, where they claim to know exactly how it will ride relates to my motorcycle are flat out based in opinion and zero fact or experience. Low rider, forward controls, larger front wheel, lower handle bars: all of this means my bike should ride like shit.. well, guess you will never know since you will never be on it. I just think it is ridiculous how someone can "claim" to know exactly how a motorcycle will handle and react to cornering just by looking at three or four pictures of it.

If it isn't your cup of tea, then say it and move on but seriously, until you take the time money and effort to get off your ass and build a motorcycle, how about you keep your "I know this bike is shit because..." opinions to yourself until the day you get to ride it. Just click on each picture to be redirected to the comments about the motorcycles. Have your popcorn and soda ready!

Took a Short Ride

Taken from Wilson Leather.com

It was officially 42-degrees when I pulled out of my garage this afternoon for a bike ride. I figured I needed to break in my new leather coat I picked up from Wilson Leather yesterday. It's a traditional biker leather, black of course. I took an aimless 20-mile ride through the country to disturb the well-being of a few cows. Unfortunately, I only came across one old-timer on his trike. I guess everyone else has "put their motorcycles to sleep for the winter..." I know I already ranted about this but seriously, if you "winterized" your bike, you should just sell it!

Motorcycle Insurance Rant

If you own a custom built motorcycle and you need full coverage, you have found or will soon find out that you are screwed, blued and tattooed. There are very few insurance companies that offer such services. I personally go through Formost but I pay a good amount for my insurance. The cost of insurance is not really my rant. In fact, I figure if you have the money to buy a custom built bike, you should have the money to keep it protected.

What pisses me off are the big "name brand" insurance companies that have all these commercials on television promising great rates to motorcyclists. They parade out their custom built motorcycles and talk about how important it is to have coverage and how their company can offer you the best rates.

Yah, I'm calling you out AllState.

This is the bike recently custom built for Allstate. I took the picture from the Dave Alder Insurance agency. They sell for Allstate and on their website, they talk about how they love motorcycles. Call them and find out if they would insure the bike that they are standing behind...they won't.. at least not using Allstate.

Taken from Alderstate.com

Yah, I'm calling you out Geico
I watched Paul Jr and Paul Sr fight it out in last season's American Chopper and I was equally disgusted at Geico when I saw they wanted a custom motorcycle to promote their motorcycle insurance. Again, they WILL NOT cover custom built motorcycles with full coverage. They just won't do it! Not only is this bike a bit on the ugly side...well, that's all I have to say, it is just plain ugly to me.

Taken from Auto Evolution.com

It just seems stupid and misleading to me that more and more insurance companies are trying to get our business knowing that the average custom built motorcycle is out of the reach of their clients. It pisses me off that I wasted time calling them when they just laughed and said they can't put a valve on custom bikes and they can't repair them at a low cost if they get wrecked. I get it, just don't use custom bikes to advertise your insurance then!

Muce Choppers

I'm not sure if I should classify this motorcycle from Muce Choppers as a bobber but I'm going to. I personally don't think "bobber" necessarily originated with someone taking all the parts off their Harley and I can appreciate a motorcycle that is not a V-Twin. So for you Harley enthusiasts" that think "if it ain't a Harley, it ain't shit" open your eyes a bit and check out the beauty other bikes can being to your otherwise narrow life. Now I can't read the website and yes, I know Google can translate it but I really don't care. A beautiful motorcycle should speak for itself.

There are several things that make me love this motorcycle. First of all, it looks like it was made 100 years ago. I love the huge tires on it. The springer front end is something I've never seen before and the headlight is killer. I also love the paint job. That drab green always looks cool on a motorcycle. Although this motorcycle does not meet the true definition of "bobber" it looks awesome and I'd love to take a ride down the street on it.

Pictures taken from Total Bike.hu

Introducing Psycho Bob

Psycho Bob is my American Classic Motors bobber. It is officially titled as "Classic Psychedelic Bobber"in Kelly Blue book due to its paint job. This motorcycle is a rigid frame with a direct mount engine. It is the first motorcycle I've owned or even been on in almost 10-years.

Frame: Kraft Tech with stock stretch, 30-degrees of rake and is constructed of 1.25-inch tube. 
Engine: 88" RevTech Show polished chrome
Transmission:RevTech 6-Speed
Clutch: Ultima Street with 3.35-inch open belt primary
Final Drive: Belt driven
Front End: Milwaukee Twins springer
Tank: Detroit Choppers peanut tank 1.75-gallons
Wheels: Milwaukee Twins 80 twisted spokes (16-inch rear/21-inch front)
Tires: Avon
Exhaust: Bub (baffles removed)
Note: custom built Z-handlebars, fender and fender strut/Powder coated frame

I upgraded the petcock to a Pingel and I upgraded the front brake to a Jay brake. Other than that, I have no changed anything on it. I love it just like it is.