Mad Dog Jim
Banned
I was going to post this thought provoker on another thread about changing wheels and some replied about custom paint on a stock bike...
So, what is STOCK and what is CUSTOM? Many of us HD guys "customize" our stock bikes. But what qualifies as customizing, and what is just personalizing? Or option-izing? I think that in the purest sense of the word, Stock would mean no changes at all from the factory. Or is that "Original". Also, you can find numerous bikes that appear to be Original on the oustside, but they could be far from it on the inside.
Is there an official definition somewhere? Have we met and agreed what to call these things?
How about this?
OEM: Any bike that is 100% original equipment, set up as from the factory. This would include restored bikes so long as all HD parts are used.
Stock: Any bike that has only cosmetic changes from OEM, such as chrome ornaments, paint, rotors, relocated controls, optional handlebars, etc.
Modified: Any bike that has changes to operating systems such as exhaust, intake, ignition, valve train, drive train, etc.
Custom: Any bike that had engineering/design modifications such as stretching the frame, changing the rake, and body changes more than just bobbing original parts
Take my project this year for example. Started with stock FLSTC. Changed to 16" bars, stainless cables, stainless rotors, stage one intake, custom exhaust, aftermarket points cover, derby cover, axle covers, pivot covers, swingarm and caliper inserts. Shaved the fender trim and fender tip lights, and new paint in a non-HD color. Now, is it going to be OEM? no... Stock? maybe... Modified? Sure... Custom? maybe, maybe not
This is just a conversation peice. Thought it would be a change for us from teh typical oil debating. Killing time till spring! LOL (And a version of "watching paint dry" because the painter hasn't called yet...)
So, what is STOCK and what is CUSTOM? Many of us HD guys "customize" our stock bikes. But what qualifies as customizing, and what is just personalizing? Or option-izing? I think that in the purest sense of the word, Stock would mean no changes at all from the factory. Or is that "Original". Also, you can find numerous bikes that appear to be Original on the oustside, but they could be far from it on the inside.
Is there an official definition somewhere? Have we met and agreed what to call these things?
How about this?
OEM: Any bike that is 100% original equipment, set up as from the factory. This would include restored bikes so long as all HD parts are used.
Stock: Any bike that has only cosmetic changes from OEM, such as chrome ornaments, paint, rotors, relocated controls, optional handlebars, etc.
Modified: Any bike that has changes to operating systems such as exhaust, intake, ignition, valve train, drive train, etc.
Custom: Any bike that had engineering/design modifications such as stretching the frame, changing the rake, and body changes more than just bobbing original parts
Take my project this year for example. Started with stock FLSTC. Changed to 16" bars, stainless cables, stainless rotors, stage one intake, custom exhaust, aftermarket points cover, derby cover, axle covers, pivot covers, swingarm and caliper inserts. Shaved the fender trim and fender tip lights, and new paint in a non-HD color. Now, is it going to be OEM? no... Stock? maybe... Modified? Sure... Custom? maybe, maybe not
This is just a conversation peice. Thought it would be a change for us from teh typical oil debating. Killing time till spring! LOL (And a version of "watching paint dry" because the painter hasn't called yet...)
