Ever think "that ain't right"?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Norton Chopper on tardme (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-126879845.htm)

Sure its his bike, and sure he can do what he wants, and sure a LOT of choppers over the years have been made from Triumphs, and BSA's and such....

But it just seems somehow wrong to do it to a Norton. Sorry, but it does.

[janno]

Each to his own I guess, but it reminds me of "a face that only a mother could love". The pukey purple paint doesn't help.

But then, if we all liked the same stuff it would be as boring as batshit around here . . .

[*caution*]

he does say it needs a bit of finesseing...

[fireball]

that is not right at all

what would posses someone to paint it that purple?
:sick: lavender any one?

[outlawtorn]

that is the ugliest fucking bike I have ever seen, sorry but you just don't do that with a Norton......:sick:

[Cajun]

by looks of that colour scheme, it was made for a woman.

[Dazza]

that is not right at all

what would posses someone to paint it that purple?
:sick: lavender any one?
It's a chicks bike, seen it in the flesh (the chopper that is):sick:

[xwhatsit]

I've read some stories and such that seem to suggest that there was a time, somewhere around the late 70s, after the Jap bikes had achieved total domination and the Brit bikes were worth very little. Add that to films like `Easy Rider' (a film I hope to avoid :laugh:) and apparently many, many old Brits were chopped. Were the Nortons usually left untouched? At least it wasn't a Vincent :lol:

For example's sake take my bike, an old shitty small capacity Honda. I have no remorse by chopping and changing headlights, handlebars, indicators, speedo, and eventually tank and seat/tail. Why? Because right now it's a practically worthless bike. However one day it will almost certainly be considered a `classic' (see Tiger Cub, or even CB/SL175 is becoming that). What then? I'll probably feel exceptionally guilty and feel compelled to restore to absolute original concours condition. It sounds laughable, on a CB250RS, but that seems to be how it works.

So whilst it seems horrible to ruin a Norton like that these days, 20-30 years ago, who would've cared? Unless, of course, this is a modern chop, in which case I will have to frown and point my finger sternly :laugh:

[klingon]

Poor Norton :(

[rwh]

what would posses someone to paint it that purple?

Looks like the paint was left over from the honda in the background?

Not that I'd paint that that colour either ...

Richard

[The Lone Rider]

Except for the paint job, I like it.

Dazza, did you get that avatar pic you are using via a chain email from another biker? We might have friends in common :P

[Dazza]

Except for the paint job, I like it.

Dazza, did you get that avatar pic you are using via a chain email from another biker? We might have friends in common :P Whoo scary, I certaintly did ;)

[The Lone Rider]

Whoo scary, I certaintly did ;)

I wanna know why the old dudes legs are back like he's on a sports bike when he's on a chopper.

And took me a few minutes of staring to realize that wasn't her hair, but was he long dangly saggy boobs.

[Dazza]

I wanna know why the old dudes legs are back like he's on a sports bike when he's on a chopper.

And took me a few minutes of staring to realize that wasn't her hair, but was he long dangly saggy boobs. I thought it was worth a laugh :niceone:

[Headbanger]

So whilst it seems horrible to ruin a Norton like that these days, 20-30 years ago, who would've cared?

20 - 30 years ago the Norton commanded respect.

Which is the reason she's a collectable now.


Seen a beautiful red example in town today, I wonder how many there are in NZ,,,,,

[scumdog]

Who knows.. maybe it was a write-off from way back - and most of the crashed bits were junked??

[MVnut]

Would sure like another fastback, yellow ....not lavender:banana:

[Paul in NZ]

Norton chopper?urgh.... Bit like a GSXR chopper - not right

[scumdog]

Urgh!
Now having had a look at said 'chopper' I can only agree with the 'ugly' comments.

Those plunger rear suspensions are a toad to look at too.:shutup:

[McJim]

For example's sake take my bike, an old shitty small capacity Honda. I have no remorse by chopping and changing headlights, handlebars, indicators, speedo, and eventually tank and seat/tail. Why? Because right now it's a practically worthless bike.

Your bike ain't worhtless bro'. It has those golden numbers on it (250cc) which multiplies the value by about 7 (ask Red Baron!).

Norton in question has been reduced to status of a dog in my opinion.

[Headbanger]

Yep, shes a super mega-fugly, with a bastard asshole twist.

Who ever picked the colour must have been doing their best to stay with the shit house theme of the bike design.

[Paul in NZ]

Urgh!
Now having had a look at said 'chopper' I can only agree with the 'ugly' comments.

Those plunger rear suspensions are a toad to look at too.:shutup:

Not that flash to ride either - rigids are waaay better

[Headbanger]

I'm thinking if the purple bits were chromed,The rest were painted gloss black,burn the seat, and that rear end rebuilt as a hard tail, she would be a little honey.

[Toaster]

Just plain ugly! But that will no doubt be beauty in the eye of someone out there I am sure.

[skidMark]

that thing is fooking mean. except for the colour..

other than that..it's bloodey cool.

[Bullitt]

What a waste. Maybe you could put the engine in another frame and build a cafe racer without feeling guilty about it....not sure what other use it has.

[Paul in NZ]

that thing is fooking mean. except for the colour..

other than that..it's bloodey cool.


O h god - just when I was starting to warm to you as well

[Eurodave]

Heres a list of bikes you just DO NOT CHOP::Oi:
Anything Italian, Indians,Tridents,Any Norton,Big modern Jappa sprotsbikes,Vincents,anything Russian/Eastern bloc,any two stroke dirt or road bike
What does that leave?......... Triumph & BSA twins , Hardly Davidsons & early Honda CB750,s....chop away!! :bleh:
Anyone care to add/modify the list?
On the up side, at least that bike on TardMe is on the road being used & not languishing in a million bits in some hidden rust pile somewhere

[Headbanger]

I don't know if its still published but 20 odd years ago before Easyrider magazine tuned into a yuppie wank rag they had a sister publication entitled Iron Horse that covered custom bikes from all manufacturers, and there were many hundreds of beautiful custom/chopped bikes from all era's and manufacturers.

Kawasaki's used to feature prominently.

I think it has more to do with designing the look of the bike to compliment the look of the engine, Otherwise they end up looking wrong, Or in the case of that Norton,Butt-plug ugly.

[surfer]

It is ugly and made worse by the colour scheme. Otherwise if it has an engine then fair game to chop it but do a nice job, or use a shitty donor bike that no one cares about.

[Bonez]

Did someone mention Vincent- http://www.redneckenginuity.com/vincent.htm

[surfer]

Did someone mention Vincent- http://www.redneckenginuity.com/vincent.htm

Fark, I like that.

[HenryDorsetCase]

very cool...

there was one in biker build off too I saw: an $85000 ENGINE!!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

Oh yeah: Matt Hotch designs Vincent chopper "The Vinnie"

http://www.hotmatchcustomcycles.com/vinnie.html


went up against Roger Goldammers 250cc 2 stroke chopper.... which beat it IIRC