OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: cyclegod on August 13, 2007, 12:53:02 am
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Is there too much bling these days?
Does your bike really need the latest cnc/carbon-fibre/titanium do-dad or do-hicky to perform better than stock?
Is it not enough to win a race but you have to look good doing it too?
Is your "RAD-RIDE" tricked out with this stuff or is it (as I beleive) a load of wallet emptying wank you won't buy into?
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As above ;D
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Actually, another tendancy in the Vintage scene is too much bling in Restos... :o
Highly polished fork legs seem to be a major culprit... ;)
Thoughts anyone? ;D
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You can just never have to much bling, bling is good bling bling bling, gotta keep them bike shop boys in a job ;D ;D ;D ;D :P
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I think I'm going to be one of those guys with too much polished alloy on my resto. I just can't help it. It's like a sickness :-[. I know it's not popular with most of the guys on here, but I like the polished alloy. Other bling not so much - maybe some Magura levers and a GMC pipe if I can't find a nice original.
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It looks good but does it make you quicker ??.There is some awesome gear around but it all comes back to how much you are prepared to pay . How much interest is a 20 year old kid with a brand new Hsv ute,bling bike and all the trick riding gear paying and how long will it take him to pay it Off ???.
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i love polished alloy. rims ,fork,legs ,tripple clamps ,levers ,brake arms started with a set of tripple clamps that were so badly damaged that i had to sand them and now i cant stop . :)i cant ride fast but i can polish fast
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what does it really matter anyway?
if the owner of the possesion is happy with his bike then hooray for them.
when i first decided to build up an old bike, the bike i had in mind was to be the one bike i'd always desired, in my mind i have a clear picture of what this bike will look like but sadly it still rests in pieces around the garage. it's day will come and yes, bling will be present but not too much.
what was that old status quo song?
whatever you want, {da dumt da dumt}
whatever you like ,{da dumt da dumt}
whatever you say, you pay the money you make your choice,{da dumt da dumt}
oops! got a little carried away there folks...
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Each to their own ;) Motorcycling is all things to all people. Resto's are all things to all people.
Like in all things, some people take a good idea too far IMHO .
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/E9622_106414468434a33862c3a9.gif)
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Are we talking today's bikes or yesteryear's bikes Cyclegod?
Bling has always been around; Fox airshox, Fox forx, DG pipes, Oakley grips, Webco heads and all manner of different things to empty the back pocket.
If we are talking resto, then it just depends on the owner and what they like(showroom orginal or tricked out bling). But if its modern stuff, do we look at their bikes with sticker kits, Pro circuit Ti Pipes etc with disgruntled, cant these new fan-dangled bikes win races stock (stupid young bugger waisting ya money), shrugging our shoulders and walking away thinking about buying that awesome looking DG head on ebay.
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Very Close to the mark DJR and i want one of them bling gauges, I always loved bling but way to tight to spring for it.!!!
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New bikes are my target, $10,000 to buy plus $10,000 of "bling" = a "pretty" big expense.
Most of this stems from being in a bike shop on the weekend where a guy and his 15yr old son were buying a bike and it was junior telling his dad that after he bought the thing what it "needed" to be a "proper" race bike.
Whatever happened to racing them stock?
In NZ in the 70's I barely ever saw one DG head or FMF pipe, they were simply too expensive to import and they were mainly used as a status symbol by the kids of rich parents who still got whipped by fast kids on stock bikes.
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Back here in the 70's could we even import stuff like that let alone pay for it? To true about the younger set of MXers wanting the best of everything but didnt we too, or at least wished we had it? The old number 8 wire just doesnt cut it today ;D. Most of the people I know (modern bikes) race them stock or maybe a pipe and thats about it. Maybe its the amount of choices we/they have with ride gear, safety gear and bling bits for the bike that makes people spend more money. Is it the kids fault for wanting it or is it the dads fault for buying it and not saying NO?(when ya can ride it WFO everywhere then maybe look at bling crap). Who is to blame, I dont know, or is it the parents saying 'look at the bike our kid rides, its so bling, its shit even shines'.
I think in our day, most would port their bike and try bigger carbs and stuff but todays bikes are beyond the average guy doing much to the motor himself, hence all the bling bolt on shite ya can buy for them now. Should we blame the marketing man..?
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its so bling, its shit even shines'
My new mantra, thanks DJR ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Yes mark me down for that bling o meter Graeme, bling was around back then just as it is now.There are/were some shite products there some good ones same as always. Best bit of bling gone wrong was a youngster who drilled a shirt load of holes in an exquisite carbon fibre heat shield...Why.....to make it 'lighter' and to get rid of the heat :-\(that was his look at me)
:D :D :D was my reponse
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heres a photo from late april of my current race bike
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x197/caps999/000_0026.jpg)
too much bling its not possible
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I'm sure you'll get some interesting comments once everyone has finished projectile vomating ;D ;D ::) ::)
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Caps, I dont know, but I thought bling was another word for cool. Ya gotta lose the tyres, ya cant be leaving red marks on the concrete if ya do a burn out, it just aint right. ;D
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Now tell me you didn't pay for those tyre's .... sticker on bike says it all ;D
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Yep. That CRF cuts to the core of the arguement about "too much BLING?" :o
Where's that Blingmeter when I need it? ::)
Each to their own I guess... ;)
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Thats my bike ;D I like doing a new graphics kit each year, after a year of racing they are usually scuffed and cut up and look shit. I've got some awesome people helping me out so i like putting there logo's on it as a thank you, it tends to get quiet a few looks and if i can get there business name in someones head and to use there services/product awesome!! Anything else i put on the bike like the triple clamps was to make it handle better and it did that, they are awesome. I've got some radiator braces which i think are a must. The only thing if i wouldnt put on again if i was to do it again would be the exhaust....really really doesnt need it.
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Sorry Ajay,
You gotta remember you were young once too.
I seem to remember a young man on a BMX bike with hand painted rims and spokes… [and much, much more including coloured tires].
But of course in my memory I was the master of all things stylish!!!! In fact everything has a strange, almost 'rose coloured' hue… [but at least I never put playing cards in my spokes].
VMX42
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I wonder if you can still get them streamers that come out the end of your grips, you know, the ones that you had on your dragster, how cool would that be at scrutineering ;D
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VMX42,
Your memory is indeed playing slight trick on you. I did NOT hand paint the spokes.... ::) I did have a bike with coloured brake cables, seat, spokes and tyres however.... :o
It was very stylish don't you think? 8)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/stdquicksilver1978_1.jpg)
And no, I never put the playing card in the spokes either, for what it's worth ;)
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I have some really neat little flashing purple cap thingies that go on valve stems of pushbike tyres. I think they will look good on the Husky, flashing at all and sundry at the DT Nats!
My opinion on bling is a bit of an on the fence thing. I agree it's all a bit academic as it doesn't really help the performance a lot of the time. Given how good most bikes are nowadays I'd be surprised if the average guy can make his bike go any better, or at least raise his performance on the track by much. I actually prefer the Shane Watts school of thought - turn up on a scrappy old stocker and blow them all away.
But... I do like the look of a bling bike. I don't necessarily think it's a better bike, but the whole exercise is almost an art form. In my humble opinion. I said it on the old forum, and I'll repeat it here. Some of the bikes I like to look at most in VMX mag are the ones that have been over-resto'd. That Maico of that Yank, who was he, JT Southern or someone? Mark Cotterel's RM125. Those sorts of things. Love em.
And I reckon Caps bike looks good too... EXCEPT for those tyres!!! I am too 'old school'. Tyres are black dammit!
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Oh! No, no, no my dear Ajay,
I am talking about your mighty Dragster with the 3 speed gears and the hand painted steel rims and spokes. I could never forget such a fine machine even after all these years [and it has been more than a few].
That Quicky does indeed offend the style police but the dragster was in a different class altogether.
Hopefully no photos have survived, I am not sure the OZVmxers would understand.
Back to you big guy.
VMX42
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I agree Graeme, Caps bike does look cool and he has done a nice job, but yep, its those tyres that blow it for me too. But maybe they are the fashion now so who am I to say anything.
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No, the spokes on the Dragster weren't painted (hand or otherwise)....but you are correct the rims were. ::)
and yes, there is a photo... ;D
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/bmxdragster.jpg)
I bet you hoped you'd never see that one again huh?
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Now THAT is true style :o
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the tyres ant entirley my fault they were a new product at work being the only racer in staff i was told to test them ;D
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Come on Caps, tell the truth, the fish was this big (------------------------------------------) ;D ;D
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Bling is in
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-5/1259377/IMG_1867.JPG)
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im not joking i
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Wow I just made it to C grade with a whole lot of burbbling dribble. Now that I'm a C grader does that mean I have use 2 fingers on the keyboard?
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090 I can live with the Doug Henry outfit :) but not at the expense of the 50 ann yellow :'(
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Got bored with the yellow,now i will be switching back! Elbows up and lean forward with your head over the keyboard!
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But me chair isnt hooking up and keeps spinning out, I think I need to bling the computer, maybe a nice set of chrome speakers?
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Now ya talking. Put bags on the chair, nice big chrome wheels and shit put a turbo some where with a show off valve...pimpin' !!
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iwas tossing the idea off puttin red tyers on my maico yes /no ??????????
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Hey will the fluffy dice and twin overhead foxtails go some of the way? ;D
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Paul keep tossing with the idea.. but hey what ever turns ya on ;D
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Hey Paul dont dream it ,The big Maico will look awesome with a set of red hoops .
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You blokes to much bling makes my bikes look out of place.
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Just mising the sissy bar and basket on the front guys ;D
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Are we meant to be showing off bikes???
cos i got a blinged up banshee otherwise know as the blingshee ;D ;D ;D
luke
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Now Ajay THAT dragster is worthy of the cover of VMX.
I am truly envious ;D
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these tyres come in any other colour ;)
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Take a look for yourself. I am not sure that the Dragster really deserves its own cover? I don't think it looks racy enough myself.
(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s255/vmx42/BMX_cover.jpg)
Perhaps an Ajay commemorative issue could be on the cards. It will all depend upon the amount of interest generated.
Over to you guys.
VMX42
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The title's wrong...should be VBMX shouldn't it? ::)
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You know, I really appreciate the long hours, blood sweat and tears you blokes put in for us when you produce each issue of VMX. But maybe, just maybe, it's starting to affect you?
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Don't beat around the bush will you Graeme.
There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think? There have been no substantial effects yet - I think?
But as you can tell Ajay is hard to please. I think it should be PBMX - Pedantic Bicycle Motocross [with a Guitar liftout]. Then again, if I can find a few thousand like minded individuals it just might fly…
Nah! Back to VMX Issue 31.
VMX42
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Bling; you can't have too much Bling. It is the epytome of technical excellency and visual appeal.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/454C1_missouri_apehangers.jpg)
Brought to you from the very home and heart of Bling. From the country of colesterole and visual overload; from the home of technical excellency and excess, and the home of the very word 'BLING'.
I rest my case; you can't have too much Bling. ;D
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heres a photo from late april (before my camera broke) of my current race bike
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x197/caps999/000_0026.jpg)
too much bling comes from playing with yourself, I'm a champeen.
It's all clear now.
Taking the picture of the UGLY bike broke your camera. Then you had to send your camera away to East Mongolia to have it repaired so then you couldn't take a photo of the RH. Just one thing to say "Stop it or yool go blind". ;D
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MXA,
I think they do that in the good old US of A so the are in a position to grab the bull bar of the Mack truck
that collects them head on.
cheers
Noel
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that photo was taken in late april the tyre are actually black again now.
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Have you noticed that the guys with the most bling on thier bikes seem to have very high race numbers??
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are you a bacchus member 414
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Mark me down for a copy Jeff.
Shouldn't the headline scream "MUM look at me now" ;D
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Yeah I is caps........ Just finished chewin' it to bits today actually.......
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isaw you up at the club day and at classic dirt when you were fixing your ignition
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Yeah both embarrasing occasions for me ignition-wise however she now has a PVL ignition. Happy days indeed!! ::)
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This is as bling as you can get
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/djracingyz/ag175-2.jpg)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f65/djracingyz/ag175.jpg)
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Only in NZ eh? ::)
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my son wants it too ride to school
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Its for sale over here in NZ. Needs a bit of work, but when I saw it I thought..... How bling is that? Why have a Harley when ya can have a AG ;D it just cracked me up, look at that pipe ;D
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Doesn't look like a long travel rear end.... ;)
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Do ya think it would get into pre75 with only 4" of travel? Take a look at the other pictures of it
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Other/auction-113143954.htm?p=2
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What a hoot. That's the funniest thing I've seen all week.
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Really Firko? How would your mongoose go ?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-113454198.htm
[attachment deleted by admin]
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"Only needs kickstarter and gear lever WELDED back on" . Ain't it grand! I thought it was the Australian way to weld parts on,i stand corrected.BTW whats it worth to import an ag chopper to OZ? :D
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How bling can you make a VMX Sidecar? Well, here's the proof...
(http://www.ozvmx.com/images/forum/tim-bling1.jpg)
(http://www.ozvmx.com/images/forum/tim-bling2.jpg)
(http://www.ozvmx.com/images/forum/tim-bling3.jpg)
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Sorry. That's art. Not bling. 8)
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I know what to put on the side of the old 79 DT i been lookin for sidecovers for a while. I might even cut & stretch it ,lower & fit one of them pipes and run it in the vinduro.Hey DJR is that aftermarket stuff available off the shelf .
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(http://www.ozvmx.com/images/forum/tim-bling2.jpg)
Now thats what I call 'Bling'. Put a 400kg sidecar on the side and drill the coke lever and sprocket cover for a 30 gram weight saving.
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The queen of tasteful bling. The legendary Black Betty.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/eso5.jpg)
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that is my sort of bling looks great
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OH Yeahhhhhhh.............. 8)
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Now which strange bloke owns those sidecars ::) ::) ::) The drilled items on the 754 items came from a crashed chopper I (oops he!) salvaged an engine from. A real mercy killing even using the parts on a sidecar ;) Remember it had enormously long springer front end, rider had hit something hard enough to embed the front wheel into the clutch cover! with only very slight damage to the barrel fins in front of them! How the!!!!!! The tanks murals are hand airbrushed not stickers, my crappy photos do not do my little blonde wasp any favours sorry.
The old Kawasaki W1 650 pre68 classer. belonged to my great mate Steve Ledger and was left to me in his will. Shame a lot of Steve's "unique" artwork and body engineering was done with poor paint and a "tad" rough in construction.... as even in the shed it is breaking up, flaking and fading fast.
On the questions about ignition systems the old Kawasaki runs a modified to fit digital Boyer Branson unit inside the magneto covers, totally legal! as it does not change the external look of the engine and you may use any type you want in all classes. (What about the modified dual carby W2 head I made up for Steve Shhh! ;)) The 754 has a genuine 1974 model "Martek" system fitted. Actually everything except the spark plugs , air filter pods, chain, rear tyre and some electrical tape is really all pre 1975 manufacture, yep levers, cables ,front tyre ( ever tried getting 3.50 /19 block pattern knobbies >:() even the seat covering. Silly but lots of fun. Wish I could ride again :'( Cheers Tim ;)
Black Betty So bloody magnificent!!!!!
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Here's a great example what's so great about our sport. The diversity. In one corner you have Tims wonderful but plug ugly old Kawasaki 650 outfit that just reeks of soul. In the other corner you have Jonseys magnificent bling Metisse that would have to be one of the nicest and well constructed bikes I've ever seen. The great thing is that both machines have a legitimate place in our sport.
I'd spend just as much time checking out nooks and crannys on the old outfit as I would perving on Betty and would be proud to own either or both of them.
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at the prompt of YZHilly last night at the DMCC club meeting with a beer or 2, i just read all 6 pages of this and i must admit to a laugh or 5, "You Guys" Caps999 glad to hear the black hoops are back on (i was thinking about them red tyres a while back and now glad i didn't do it as they look great in the shop, but that's about it).
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all I can say gents, after having read back through this thread, is that if you guys are not on drugs yet maybe you should be!!!!!!
:o :o
regards
Rossco
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It's all relative if you have too much money you can have too much bling and if you can afford the finest in bling .Fine ya lucky bastards just make sure you post a pic of it on here !!! Coz i want to see it. Go on Bling Me.
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Even ya missus can get in on the bling thing...
[attachment deleted by admin]
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more bling
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/ibop/aa09_3.jpg)
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or bling /pro fab in the uk 540 big bore etc etc some one i know 15000.00 :o
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/ibop/scan001002.jpg)
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my take on the subject - (coming from someone in the industry who sells bulk bling)
motocross is more than a sport its a lifestyle , a mindset , - so to most guys their bike is not just a machine , its a statement , something to be proud of . Same with the riding gear , cheap boots , cheap clothing will do the same job but we want the trick stuff & why not , why be sensible ? in fact if we were sensible we wouldn't have motorbikes at all we would all buy toyota corolla's & travel around at the speed limit & keep track of the fuel mileage. But we don't , moto-X is fun , dangerous & a way of life so we individualise our ride , thats cool by me . imagine how boring a MX would be if every bike was totally stock
And from the industry's position , the shops & wholesalers make a lot of coin out of bling so its an important part of their income , bling is good business
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Geraldo your right about MODERN MX thats all it is to the hairdresser mentality that call themselves racers today a lifestyle >:(
Most of em cant ride for shit but christ dont they look pretty :-*
I can see MX becoming a rich pricks only sport in years to come , between those poxy ludicrously expensive to maintain diesal shitters they ride these days & the peer pressure to wear the latest gear and look the pretiest it will get beyond the grasp of real people.
Now you may say so what ::)we will still sell to the rich pricks , but money wont find Talent :( The less kids out there doing it the less likley we are going to discover natural talent .
Both Ben Townley & Chad Reed come from working class backgrounds and have become huge achievers. However i wonder wether they would have been intoduced to the sport had they been born 20 yrs later ???
You can stick your bling where the monkey sticks his nuts :)Long live VMX and REAL RACERS
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Quickies bling.. 1970 Malvern star dragstar.. ;D
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Wow quicky, what a flash back for me. I had the same beast way back when men were men and sheep were nervous. Cool.You hit the nail on the head Geraldo,i don't want to be a corolla driver like everybody else,i want my bike to stand out,individualize it,make it my own. Doesn't make me a better rider,doesn't make me a shit rider, doesn't make me a wanker either(i am already ;).Oh Bill, is that your age showing :-*.You could have said the same thing 20 years ago about the sport getting too expensive but there are more people in mx now more than ever.My old man made a comparison quite a few years ago that in 1981 he would work for three days and could turn over enough money to buy a yz80. Try and do that now..no chance. Bling is good,patina is good,10 point resto is good,something you dragged out from where the monkey shoved his nuts, good too! Just ride it,don't hide it.
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While researching an upcoming ADB piece I found a little paragraph in my coverage of the '98 Ravenswood Vintage Nats referring to our mate Tims old Honda sidecar and its bling (or lack of it).
"Although they didn't win anything, young Victorian brothers Daniel and Matt Derrick had a hoot of a time manhandling a ratty old Honda 750 outfit, complete with with 'cool' tank mural harking back to the bikes previous life as a chopper. The 16 and 17 year old brothers were whooping and yahooing their way around the track, bringing smiles to everyone trackside"
It explains the spirit of having fun on old bikes pretty well I reckon. I remember the situation like it was yesterday and the boys happy attitude did indeed bring the punters to the fence, cheering them on.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/derrickboyssidecar.jpg)
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Thank you Firko. I have stated honestly before , that one small written item was my most treasured memento. Now that you have added a photo of my young teenage sons on the 754 back then. It is it is,, Don't know what to say, cause it is more than my most treasured memento! :D Cheers Tim
The current 754 has the finned points cover ,swinging arm,and the headers from that version. Sort of like Grand Dads original old axe ,heads and 6 handles............. ::)
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Being new to the pre85 industry..Where these the true colours back in the day ??
cheers
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/Elsinore.jpg)
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Dont that look good........very nice.
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They were the correct colours for some Mugens back in the day but most were all red.
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This is "Too much BLING" :o ;D
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/postierider/DSCx9308.jpg)
:D :D
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come to Japan, it is total bling,
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/toukun007-img600x450-1218983449lkb4.jpg)
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Was that once a BW or TW 200cc Yamaha?? ???
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Was that once a BW or TW 200cc Yamaha?? ???
Yep for some reason 'Hill Climb' seems to be the customisation trend with TW200, one I noticed had "Never trust a relationship without sex" as a tank decal .... second that
I think there is good bling and bad bling, like good touching and bad touching ::)
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Here you go 1973 bling versus 2010 bling.....
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/IMG_3444.jpg)
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That scooter with Nitrous is pretty cool ;D
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That scooter with Nitrous is pretty cool ;D
Yer I thought that too :)
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What's your opinions on this little item ... :o
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350451376835&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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Cyclegod,
How about the extra pound or so of bling that your T-shirt Blonde is packing in your photo? Is that stock equipment?
;DSwiss
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I bought 3 DG heads at the early Classsic dirts for $45 each gave them to mate who helps me on bikes- now look at price!!
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Is this an original hub or just a touch of bling ? 8)
cheers A
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/britishhub.jpg)
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I believe we can credit the owners of Valiants back in the sixties as the originators of BLING !
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Is this an original hub or just a touch of bling ? 8)
cheers A
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r259/vmx247/britishhub.jpg)
Thats a period mod - problem is the period is early 70's on a bike thats probably running early 60's class or at least pre '70.
It's a '71+ Triumph/BSA "conical hub" specifically.
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Oh and heres a matching front from the same period ('71+) - thing is Triumph/BSA didn't seem to understand that their sensational new conical hubs had already been superseded by just about everyone else with disc brakes .... and the previous brake was a lovely twin leading shoe ffs.
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/southernfriedchoppers/42708.jpg)
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It's a '71+ Triumph/BSA "conical hub" specifically
.....but quite legal for pre ' 65. I'm not overly in love with the holes either, I can see the hub filling with mud in crappy conditions. ???