There are various schools of thought when it comes to custom and stock bikes…
It’s quite deep, or rather hard to understand, and that depth runs deeper than the ocean…
It’s like there’s an unwavering commitment here.
First thing that comes to mind is that there are various schools of thought in vintage bike restoration too…
There’s the camp that insists on only original parts, and the camp that says reproduction and adapted parts are all fair game.
I understand the commitment to originality, but sometimes it’s tough to source everything… Maybe that’s where know-how and group solidarity come in handy.
The adapted custom school that matches manufacturers
Honda parts for Honda, Yamaha parts for Yamaha—that’s the way to go!
Well, if compatibility is high and it only takes minor modification to install, that’s faster and cheaper, right?
Sticking to a style without compromise is admirable too—there’s a clear thread running through it.
But a motorcycle is really an assembly of parts from various fields, and sometimes they actually come from the same origin anyway. Fascinating stuff…
Superbike purist school
I guess low-profile bolts didn’t exist back then… ↑ They’re making do with Phillips head screws.
70s–80s AMA Superbike is so cool, right?
I used to be deep into it myself, and nothing but genuine parts would satisfy me!
That was my mindset.
But working in this industry, when you see the real deal—an actual period racer—right in front of you…
No matter how hard you try, it’s just a replica, and if you ever damage it, repairs become a nightmare.
Then you end up not wanting to ride it because it’s too precious, which defeats the whole purpose.
I could think of other things, but it all comes down to this…
The balance between personal satisfaction and usability is really important. It’s probably hard to cover everything with just one bike.
