This is the end let the fun begin

Well I wasn't sure if this would happen, self doubt and crap life brings sometimes I let it get in the way! I have said before that I have been dreaming about riding my own custom since I was about 12 the late sixties! But now at the tender age of 55 I have done it, not the 70's chop that I dreamed about as a boy, but what is now called a "Lanesplitter" it seems to have come from the east where some amazing bikes are out there in Japan. but it is gathering speed in USA and hints of it in UK.

I think it is a reaction against the mega buck, look at me bikes of the past few years, which I for one did not like. I can understand and admire some of them but throwing money at a builder then riding around like your the squirrels nuts doesn't cut it. Amongst my ambling's on the intetnet I came across a blog which headlines as "if you bought it aint a custom!"

My bike was built in my garage, the welding of the hardtail was done by Twizzle (down Dorsetshire way) as he puts it. A kind soul near me did a couple of brackets and mounts, I can gas weld but the cost was daft so my thanks to those two people for helping out. The rest was done by me, bending ally for brackets and boxes and trays, drilling holes, filing and filling and painting was all done by me, not in any fancy paint booth or workshop, but a true back street build, I learnt loads made many mistakes along the way. And much thanks go out to the guys and gals of Britchopper Forum who indulged my wierdness and daft questions, I feel that I have made some good friends.

The old gal (well she is 17yrs old ) will undoubtedly change some more over the years, I am already gonna change the paintwork come this winter, and there must be a better way to wire so many wires coming and going from the front really annoys me. Mostly due to the law saying I have to have this or that, but it doesn't mean that I have to like it. Maybe I will find away to run them through the frame, I am glad I didn't do it this time as I have made many mistakes.

What would I like to change or upgrade? paint, the electrics, a bigger rear wheel 18" or just an Avon Classic smr 500 would be cheaper! some new pipes, the Krome Werks AR are good but I want stainless ones showing the welds functional not pretty! and maybe's one pipe down each side, or trumpets.!!! You know what I mean!

First ride was interesting! 21" up front made bends and roundabouts a tad embarrassing till I sussed it out! Chains stretch quite a bit when new! Rigid frame with 3" seat springs are more comfortable than lowered swingarm springs odd but true for me anyway. So need to sort MOT and road tax and I'm off to the Alton to Basingstoke road for chill out ride

Pictures below aren't perfect but I was nearly out of sunshine but the smile on my face is still good !