Customization means breaking away from stock and wanting to express your own style and individuality through your hobby.
Customization also means adding essence to areas where a motorcycle’s potential falls short.
The prevalence of custom mannerism owes much to the blessing of an incredibly convenient array of aftermarket parts.
Back in the early 20th century, there weren’t nearly as many third-party parts available as there are today, so even just changing suspension or brake components was a major undertaking.
But precisely because of that difficulty, custom bikes were rarely alike—each one was truly one of a kind. It took time and money, but the finished product carried real weight.
These days, parts are flooding the market for better or worse.
Benefits
• It’s easy to imagine the finished look and how it will work
• Pricing is set at list price, making it affordable
• Little modification needed for installation, so turnaround is fast (almost like factory options?)
Drawbacks
• You see the same parts everywhere, so status and originality are nonexistent
• Limited freedom in design and dimension choices
• Both owners and shops end up with less creative thinking…
Oh wow, that looks convenient—a 9,800 yen caliper support with super thin, pointless design!
Adjustable-position steps that you never actually tweak, just sitting there looking oversized…
Ideals and reality are always in flux with no end in sight. Maybe that’s why hobbies are fun.
Also, worrying too much about what others think can stifle the very individuality you’re trying to express. The kindness of people around you asking “Is this really okay?” matters, but if you always aim for a finish you won’t regret, you’ll end up satisfied and getting your money’s worth. φ(..)Jotting that down
