Is this the fugliest chopper in the known universe?

[rainman]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/shows/7646171/Mind-blowing-chopper-to-headline-NZ-show

Well, to be fair I suppose he did do a few interesting things but:
a) I wouldn't want to pay the insurance.
b) Looks like the road clearance is about 2 thou. Cornering would be... interesting. And expensive on replating. In gold. Plus is that it clearly doesn't need a side-stand.
c) I would definitely not want to have to brake suddenly with that neatly placed nad-splitter just in front of the tank.
d) That front is the ugliest motorbike-related thing I have seen since the Victory Vision. By a long way.

Ah well, couldn't afford one anyway...

[Road kill]

Metal art doesn't have to be practical,,,,there's your fucking proof right there:sick:

[AllanB]

Yawn........

I remember Arlen Ness doing a radical twin engines chopper with fold plating on it decades ago - pretty sure it had a special front end too. Nothing new on that ride, another run-o-mill V twin custom.

[imdying]

I dunno about fugly.. but it sure lacks imagination. One mans art is his own business, so what he builds is entirely up to him... until it goes to shows. Then it's fair game to have all it's faults picked over. This is just more same old same old... but that's why fashion changes... choppers are out... why? Because they've been done to death, which then ends up with more derivative work like this. You can't fault the finish though. However... it's gold plated because without garish crap like that, it basically has nothing.

[tigertim20]

it looks fuckin stupid. and imo, it aint a bike. bikes are for riding. that monstrosity has been built to look at. its art, but it aint a bike to me

[AllanB]

Shit photo but all I could find - 1977 - the exhaust side looked ace - nice and twisty pipes.

Do I like it? weird front does nothing for me but my point is he was a master of innovation trying new and radical stuff. Has it all been done? In the chopper world one of the most recent genuine innotations was the hubless wheel.

[kiwifruit]

Tough crowd!

[Virago]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/shows/7646171/Mind-blowing-chopper-to-headline-NZ-show

...Looks like the road clearance is about 2 thou. Cornering would be... interesting. And expensive on replating. In gold. Plus is that it clearly doesn't need a side-stand...

Did you read the article?


Extensive design work and testing went into the single-sided front "fork," whose main spar is more than a metre long and machined from aluminium billet. Fully functional, it incorporates an air-ride system that, along with the single-sided swing-arm rear suspension, can lift the motorcycle 25 centimetres or lower it right onto the ground. In fact, a side stand is unnecessary as Nehme-sis softly lands on its frame rails when it's time to park.

25cm sounds like reasonable ground clearance.

[Brian d marge]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/shows/7646171/Mind-blowing-chopper-to-headline-NZ-show

Well, to be fair I suppose he did do a few interesting things but:
a) I wouldn't want to pay the insurance.
b) Looks like the road clearance is about 2 thou. Cornering would be... interesting. And expensive on replating. In gold. Plus is that it clearly doesn't need a side-stand.
c) I would definitely not want to have to brake suddenly with that neatly placed nad-splitter just in front of the tank.
d) That front is the ugliest motorbike-related thing I have seen since the Victory Vision. By a long way.

Ah well, couldn't afford one anyway...
yes
and as for Alen Ness ........ a dick that said " motorcycles should be "Swoopy""


Stephen

[GSF]

It looks like a microscope view of some kind of intestinal parasite.

[rainman]

Did you read the article?


Yeah, a bit, but there were all these words an shit, and I may have glazed over and taken refuge in my JD for a bit...

[bogan]

That's kinda cool with the air-ride lowering to park, and it has front brakes. I'd be a bit surprised if it was actually ridden further than off/on a showroom floor though.

[idb]

Wouldn't want to own it.
Wouldn't want to ride it.
It isn't a bike, but very cool.

[scumdog]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/shows/7646171/Mind-blowing-chopper-to-headline-NZ-show

Well, to be fair I suppose he did do a few interesting things but:
a) I wouldn't want to pay the insurance.
b) Looks like the road clearance is about 2 thou. Cornering would be... interesting. And expensive on replating. In gold. Plus is that it clearly doesn't need a side-stand.
c) I would definitely not want to have to brake suddenly with that neatly placed nad-splitter just in front of the tank.
d) That front is the ugliest motorbike-related thing I have seen since the Victory Vision. By a long way.

Ah well, couldn't afford one anyway...

Only my budget stops me buying it.

That and the lumpy NZ roads..

[Oakie]

TBH I'd rather have a GN250 in my garage. At least I could ride that to the supermarket ... or anywhere. (Or am I missing the point?)

[joan of arc]

The paint job is clever. The remainder of the monstrosity is a fucking abomination

[idb]

The paint job is clever. The remainder of the monstrosity is a fucking abomination

Pffft!
So says the Ducati owner!!!!!

[scumdog]

The paint job is clever. The remainder of the monstrosity is a fucking abomination


If 'out there' stuff didn't exist we wouldn't know what mediocracy was..

[scumdog]

Pffft!
So says the Ducati owner!!!!!

Mwahahah, 'must spread rep.'

[The Lone Rider]

I have a small bike with apes, spring seat (with no padding) and a hand shifter with clutch on the shifter.

People look at it and say what the fuck, what a stupid idea.



I have yet to meet someone who has taken it for a ride and didn't return saying "that was pretty cool!".


You have to put it in perspective for what it is. And good on them for using a Yamaha engine. Had it been another chopper with a Harley/S&S/RevTech/Bourget/Victory/Indian engine it'd probably yawn a bit.

[AllanB]

I have a small bike with apes, spring seat (with no padding) and a hand shifter with clutch on the shifter.

People look at it and say what the fuck, what a stupid idea.


You have to put it in perspective for what it is. And good on them for using a Yamaha engine. Had it been another chopper with a Harley/S&S/RevTech/Bourget/Victory/Indian engine it'd probably yawn a bit.

I'd rock your little bobber. Sounds like fun. Probably needs some gold plating though ........

Yammy V-Twin. I'd have more respect if it had a XJ1300 or R1 donk in it - different and interesting.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yammy V-Twin. I'd have more respect if it had a XJ1300 or R1 donk in it - different and interesting.

Yeah but the big twins are a nice engine to look at. A watercooled inline four not so much.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yawn........

I remember Arlen Ness doing a radical twin engines chopper with fold plating on it decades ago - pretty sure it had a special front end too. Nothing new on that ride, another run-o-mill V twin custom.
That Ness one is in one of my books. It had remote start and stuff too :-)

[baffa]

Show bikes arent really built to be ridden. I do like the type of choppers the likes of OCC build, pretty crazy, but you could definitely take one for a cruise.

Anyone see that video from thailand/philapines where someone turned a scooter into some random abortion that looks like the batman bike? Was fking halarious, and used care tyres.

[SMOKEU]

I'd like to see someone get their knee down on it.

[Big Dave]

TBH I'd rather have a GN250 snip (Or am I missing the point?)

No. I think that tells us all we need to know.

[jasonu]

Yep, about as dumb and useless as it gets.

[Big Dave]

It's an art form. Sculpture meets engineering and acrylic. Practicality was asked to leave the room.
Like any of these machines, the beauty is in the aesthetic, execution and originality - and it doesn't have to be pretty.

If you still have to ask yourself 'why?' - make it the full question - Why any art form?

[rainman]

If you still have to ask yourself 'why?' - make it the full question - Why any art form?

Well yeah, but then I do ask that a lot.

http://www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home
http://www.angelasinger.com/
http://www.jeffkoons.com/site/images/pre1_sm.jpg
http://www.jeffkoons.com/site/images/new3_sm.jpg and many more of his actually.
http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/html/chocolate_page.html - Well this one at least may be redeemed by owing something to Tom Waits.
http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/html/cheese_room_page.html
http://basel.art49.com/art49/art49basel.nsf/0/7AA8CB0D9508FC03C1256FE4007E960D/$file/isoclast-a-hq7-ca3952s_red.jpg
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/dutch-artist-turns-dead-cat-into-remote-controlled-helicopter.html
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/artist-plans-to-give-birth-in-art-gallery-in-front-of-an-audience.html
http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=81435
http://www.artlies.org/_issues/47/features/colpitt.rauch.jpg
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141207/Modern-art-IS-rubbish-Artist-unveils-95-000-installation--skip-placed-city-centre-make-people-think.html

I could go on. But perhaps I am a pleb. Or don't take enough drugs.

[AllanB]

Yeah but the big twins are a nice engine to look at. A watercooled inline four not so much.

Gold plate it ........

[Kiwi Graham]

These things aren't meant to be ridden, there just a piece of art.
Clearly nothing practical about it but nice to look at, You'd need a bloody big sideboard to put it on though!

[imdying]

As a piece of art, it's lovely for sure. Might not be what I'd choose for the foyer, but you can't fault the build quality (well not from pics at least!).

[Conquiztador]

A lot of negativity. The man owns a custom bike shop. He wants to be known as the best. So he builds a bike that wins all shows he enters. And to make it even harder for him self he does it with a non-american motor. I give him a bucket load of respect.

Bike shows are not for everyone. Infact I suspect that very few on here has entered their pride in any show. Add to that the need for knowledge needed to hand make bits instead of buying bolt-on bits. As custom shows are not for polished original bikes.

And who in their right mind would do daily rides with a bike worth US$ 300,000??? I suspect he has a dozen other bikes he can ride.

You might not like what the man has built. But clearly heaps of judges at a bunch of shows have concluded this one is the best. You can then argue that the man knows nothing about bikes as much as you like, but I suspect he might not care much about the opinion from someone on a GN250...

[joan of arc]

Conquiztador, you are talking about something quite different. It is possible to have respect for the work that has gone into making a show piece but that does not necessarily equate to having made something of beauty. Yes, the maker of this bike may have done something stupendous as it relates to the mechanics and workmanship. But it is not a pretty result by any stretch of the imagination.

[Crasherfromwayback]

But it is not a pretty result by any stretch of the imagination.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.

[Tigadee]

Is this ugly?
http://www.hayabusa.org/forum/attachments/random-thoughts/212247d1298337810-inspired-love-paint-job-ironmanleft.jpg

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ness two engine hub centre steer chopper:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohioroyce/3966793745/

[Big Dave]

Is this ugly?


I don't think so.

It would be a bit 'tragic' after 40,000km on NZ roads though.

A lot of the viability of the machines depends on where you live.

You could get away with a wild chopper over here in Brisbane. Just stay on the super-slab. The Waikato...not so much

[Conquiztador]

Conquiztador, you are talking about something quite different. It is possible to have respect for the work that has gone into making a show piece but that does not necessarily equate to having made something of beauty. Yes, the maker of this bike may have done something stupendous as it relates to the mechanics and workmanship. But it is not a pretty result by any stretch of the imagination.

Would I build a bike like the one in OP? No. The billet-builds (billet alloy means the parts were manufactured from a single solid piece of alloy) do not appeal to me. Same with all the bling. Simple, clean and functional is my preference. It still does not make the bike ugly just OTT. (In my opinion obviously). I would most probably spend a lengthy time studying all the clever engineering and tricky solutions and not even notice the gold...

Here something I like:
269969

[HenryDorsetCase]

I love custom bikes but I am more drawn to the brat style/Wrenchmonkees/bobber builds rather than the long fork blinged out ones. In Easy Rider I far prefer the Billy bike to the Captain America bike.

They do some cool shit though: was it Matt Hoch* who did the hubless wheel? that shit was cool. Not so practical but cool..

* or that dude that hit the dude DUI in his pickup and went to jail.




edit: Billy Lane!

http://www.choppersinc.com/

[short-circuit]

Is this ugly?
Homobusa

Would rather be caught dead on a Goldwing than that ghey homobusa

[Dangsta]

Any bike=awesome!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Would rather be caught dead on a Goldwing

It ain't a Busa though.

[Drew]

Bloody hell! Any of you guys know what art means?

It's an expression, which is why someone built that bike. They poured serious time and money into it. Can no one appreciate it for that?

[Oakie]

Sorry but for me, bikes are meant to be ridden, not displayed as a piece of art. Just my Scottish practical heritage I guess.

I guess I'm just not a 'look at me!' type of guy. (I mean I ride a Bandit!)

[actungbaby]

A lot of negativity. The man owns a custom bike shop. He wants to be known as the best. So he builds a bike that wins all shows he enters. And to make it even harder for him self he does it with a non-american motor. I give him a bucket load of respect.

Bike shows are not for everyone. Infact I suspect that very few on here has entered their pride in any show. Add to that the need for knowledge needed to hand make bits instead of buying bolt-on bits. As custom shows are not for polished original bikes.

And who in their right mind would do daily rides with a bike worth US$ 300,000??? I suspect he has a dozen other bikes he can ride.

You might not like what the man has built. But clearly heaps of judges at a bunch of shows have concluded this one is the best. You can then argue that the man knows nothing about bikes as much as you like, but I suspect he might not care much about the opinion from someone on a GN250...

yeah +1

yes back tire looks cool i agree its surposed to be out there and diffrent sure works on that level for me

[BIG DOUG]

I have judged many custom bike shows and its amazing what people build + how much work goes into some bikes,I have seen bikes worth $3000.00 look awesome and some bikes worth over 100k and look shit.Its a fine line in getting it right as most people can't really see all small details that are on some bikes, e.g. I was standing next to a bike when someone said "bet this bike never gets ridden as it doesn't even have a battery to start it " and I pointed out it was hidden under the transmission he just wasn't looking for the hidden details. I love all custom bikes, WHY because done right it will always turn heads, hell if that yamaha were in front of any of the people who commented here you would look at it because it is something you don't see everyday and thats the point.

[AllanB]

My comments were that in the US bike scene that ride is not 'different' or special. Expensive yes! Designed to 'win' yes.
Fat arse rear wheel, check, hot paint, check, V twin, check bla bla bla. OMG a Jap V-twin - how original, hold the press! Air suspension done before..

Sure in NZ if I saw it I'd probably spend a bit of jizz over the tank, but it is not that fucking original or special. Yes I appreciate the engineering and paint. But it bores me as I have seen it all before in US magazines. Bit like watching endless essopodes of OCC - they all start looking the same...

I'd give it 'best paint' that type of thing but not best in show. Best application of non-original ideas using the current trends in chopperism would be a good award. (where they shit did $300K US go? must have been hot and cold whores every day during it's construction!).

Art - NO. Now as a arty type myself I can appreciate art as a form of machinery or vehicle but that examples intent has nothing to do with 'art' it is designed to win shows.

Art and motorcycle - search 'Ron Finch' - now he did some weird as shit bikes that you could categorise as 'art' in that he was off doing his own thing in a sculptured form. indian Larry could be considered as a motorcycle 'artist' in a traditional manner.

If nothing else the bike has sparked some emotive banter on KB and that in itself is worthy of it's build. Well done that man for provoking this discussion.

Excuse the rant - work from 8am to 10pm and on the wine! I am seriously quite plastered - a fine effort for one hours drinking!

[Banditbandit]

Is this ugly?
]

Hell .... YES !!!!!

[Banditbandit]

Bloody hell! Any of you guys know what art means?

It's an expression, which is why someone built that bike. They poured serious time and money into it. Can no one appreciate it for that?

I can appreciate a piece of art .. it still looks like shit ... but then again, art does not have to be pretty or attractive ... some artists try for the "shit" look ...

[theseekerfinds]

I read the article the other day when it appeared on stuff, enjoyed the read and congrats to the guys from Speedshow for getting it over for the show next year, it isn't coming just for the riders to perve at it will be pored over by the rodding fraternity and the other custom builders in NZ as well as an appreciative Joe Public..

I appreciate what he has made, I would like to think I understand what he worked to achieve, I like several things about the bike including the Japper motor but especially that he has kept it "live" by leaving the vin plate on it too.

But at the end of the day I would rather spend the same money buying an ex-WSB or 500GP bike and mount that in my foyer like the Britten at Te Papa. Now those bikes, to me, are works of art!

[rainman]

But at the end of the day I would rather spend the same money buying an ex-WSB or 500GP bike and mount that in my foyer like the Britten at Te Papa. Now those bikes, to me, are works of art!

Have to say I've never really seen the point of the Britten either to be honest... I'm sure it's a lovely bike to ride, but it ain't pretty to look at.

[scumdog]

A dime for a dollar that if the motor etc on the o.p photo had been a Harley unit the bike would have been bagged even more eh... :msn-wink:

[Drew]

Have to say I've never really seen the point of the Britten either to be honest... I'm sure it's a lovely bike to ride, but it ain't pretty to look at.It was built as a race bike. That's the point.

[RDjase]

* An automatic clutch and a clever electronic grip shifter help clean up the overall lines. The rider selects gears by rotating the left handgrip, which can also switch modes to control the air-ride suspension on the fly.


Vespa......................

[imdying]

Have to say I've never really seen the point of the Britten either to be honest... I'm sure it's a lovely bike to ride, but it ain't pretty to look at.It's a race bike. Racing is it's point, looking pretty, not so much.

[pete376403]

Perfection (in design) is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but rather when there is nothing more to take away.

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Britten is pretty close to perfection, the thread topic custom bike, not so close.

[rainman]

It was built as a race bike. That's the point.


It's a race bike. Racing is it's point, looking pretty, not so much.

Hmmm. Perhaps it's racing I don't see the point of, then. As you were.

[imdying]

Hmmm. Perhaps it's racing I don't see the point of, then. As you were.Prototype racing is where engineering theory and production realities are put to the test. All the longevity tests in the world don't mean squat if it can't survive in practice. All other racing... that's just sorting out who's man enough to ride the prototypes (well except WSBK, that's where you end up if you they thought you could manage prototype racing but it turns out you couldn't). Even that shitter you're riding has been designed with lessons learnt in racing.

[98tls]

Cant see the reason for all the negative shit really,its got 2 wheels and someones invested a lot of time and money,good on him.Christ ive seen people riding Hayabusas in public get less negative comments.:weird:

[rainman]

Even that shitter you're riding

Now that's just uncouth and uncalled for.

[Drew]

Now that's just uncouth and uncalled for.Yeah, VZ800's have no race technology in them!

[rainman]

Yeah, VZ800's have no race technology in them!

My thoughts exactly!

[KIPS powervalve]

The only redeeming feature I can find is that the engine was originally built by YAMAHA, who also brought dreams like the YZF series and FZR (sorry for relating them to this...uhhh...thing)

[DMNTD]

Awesome art work and epic amount of talent to built it. :clap:



The only redeeming feature I can find is that the engine was originally built by YAMAHA, who also brought dreams like the YZF series and FZR (sorry for relating them to this...uhhh...thing)
Shhhhhhhhh...you have an old chunk yourself :scratch: