Custom motorcycle

Custom Bike ( kʌstəm baɪk, English custom:. Tailored bike: Abbreviation for motorcycle) is the generic term for a purpose-built or converted to the wishes of the owner motorcycle. Terms such as "Custom Motorcycle " are also common in English.

Term Description

One speaks of a custom bike when a motorcycle differs by significant changes / modifications of the standard model. These usually include large metal work (tank extensions, individual frame, swing tags for wide tires, ... ) and own finishes which arise frequently by airbrush.

For smaller changes such as a change of handlebars, exhaust, or mirrors is not spoken generally of a custom bike.

In addition to the chopper conversion and new construction also Street Fighter, Cafe Racer or Ratbikes be called depending on the extent of the changes as custom bikes. Complete rebuilds of specially compiled components can be found usually in the area of ​​classic chopper, bobber, BoardTracker and similar styles.

Manufacturers such as Harley -Davidson denote some models as " Custom" if they have certain changes to the series at the factory and are sold in limited quantities.

History

Around 1948 occurred in California, the first chopper, which are (mostly from the Harley-Davidson brand ) acted to serial production motorcycles that were facilitated by the owners of all the unnecessary parts. Frequently followed special paint to make the bikes even more individual. With the film Easy Rider 1969 these conversions were world famous.

Initially, these early custom bikes originated in private garages, but with the rising popularity, there were more and more companies that specialized in the construction of these motorcycles. With the increasing proliferation of choppers, which have now been built by Japanese manufacturers, at the same time increased the interest in custom bikes from year to year.

New techniques of today's manufacturers develop their accessories often using CAD programs on the computer and milling aluminum parts in CNC process. Fenders and trim parts that originated in the past, from sheets, are now often made ​​of fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Themed bikes

As subjects bike is called a custom bike, which artistically oriented to a specific topic. Thus arose, for example, Fire Department themed bikes that were using checker plate decorated and visually modeled after a fire truck. Often large companies or celebrities from the film, sports or music business sponsors of themed bikes.

List of some themed bikes from Orange County Choppers:

Mountain Creek Bike

NY Jets Bike

NY Giants Bike

Yankee Bike

NY Chiefs Bike

Black Widow Bike

Miami Heat Bike

Jet Bike

Firebike

Serial bike

U.S. Army Bike

Manufacturer

The hit TV series American Chopper manufacturer Orange County Choppers made ​​in Germany that custom bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years. German custom bikes find great recognition for some years abroad, as evidenced among other things by the Vice World Championship of "Thunder Bike" in 2006.

The internationally known German manufacturers are:

  • Thunderbike
  • Walz Hardcore Cycles
  • TGS Motorcycles
  • Habermann Performance
  • Fred Kodlin Motorcycles
  • Hollister 's Motorcycles

Legal provisions

Numerous conversion parts are sold here with ABE, so that they can be easily used. Various modifications to vehicles must be removed in Germany, however, about the TÜV. Some larger developers of custom bikes are officially registered for this reason vehicle manufacturers.

Now there are so -called kit bikes that you put together and build by catalog ( be ) can. These usually have a homologation certificate and can therefore be relatively easily approved for use on public roads. Complete custom bikes are, however, already sold admission usually done.

Events

  • Every year in the American Sturgis hosts the World Championship of Custom Bike Building, to which the manufacturer can qualify from around the world.
  • In Germany, the exhibition CUSTOM BIKE applies in Bad Salzuflen as the largest event scene.
  • Also on numerous ( general ) Motorcycle Events and exhibitions (eg Intermot in Cologne) Custom Bike Championships will be held.

Magazines in Germany

In German-speaking countries, there are numerous specialized magazines that deal with custom bikes. These include:

  • Custom Bike
  • Easy Riders (focus on international custom bikes )
  • Bikers News ( emphasis club scene / MCs )
  • Dream Machines ( emphasis Harley )
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