Custom bikes/choppers?

[goju]

Im thinking big thoughts for next year. A celebration/reward for myself :) I have always wanted a bike since I sold my harley many many moons ago. I dont want another harley and Im not sure I could afford a true custom. Anyone know of a small line of bikes that doesnt have the off the shelf look?

(please no references to occ or any other commercially hyped shops)

[Union Thug]

1. Depends on what you want...

I mean, what kind of $$$ do you want to spend? How unusual do you want to go? Personally, my attitude is "the more unusual, the better" (that's why I bought a Ural Wolf), but that's certainly not for everyone. Are you looking for a speed machine or moderate powered cruiser?

on edit: here's my bike

http://www.russianiron.com/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=4030

[goju]

4. Damn, I wish you hadnt asked me that

I dont even want to think about dollars till I have to write the check ;)

I guess Im looking at somewhere around 30. Im not looking for a crotch rocket if thats what you mean by speed machine. Old school styling but with a modern feel to it.

Nice bike you have there. Looks comfortable, is it?

[Quahog]

2. Well, it's hardly a "small line"

I have an '03 Valkyrie standard with lots of extra shiny bits bolted on and some secret ingredients under the skin that bring me up to about 110hp. Not only is it fun to be able to dust off any Harley on the road (shy of a screaming eagle with a cam job), but the Fat Lady is a real head-turner as well. I am a reformed sport bike rider, so the Valk meets my need for speed. When I park her at my son's soccer games, people stop in their tracks and just stare, with that "WTF?!?" look on their face. You might still be able to find a leftover '03 if you want a new one. It's a wonderful bike stock at $12k, but you put $3-4k into it on top of that and you can have a stinkin' fast, totally distinctive bike, for less than the cost of an entry-level Harley. And it will NEVER go "potatoe-potatoe!!!"

Coolest V-twin monster ever conceived by man can be found here:

http://www.confederate.com/con_web/home/machine/hellcat.html

Couldn't tell you the cost, but I understand that riding one is a life-changing experience.

[carpediem]

3. Here's 2 sites I found.

I just did a quick google and found them - I like the look of their bikes.

Big Dog motorcycles
http://www.bigdogmotorcycles.com/models/pitbull.html
no pricing info

and
TNA choppers
http://www.tnachoppers.com/tna2_010.htm
they had pricing info - 18,000+ is what I saw


disclaimer: I know nothing about motorcycles. I've always been intrigued by them though.

[goju]

5. Thanks

Ive seen bigdog and Im also looking at desperado. Never saw tna though. Not bad, not bad at all!

[guitar man]

6. here's something different

Coyote Customs in Oklahoma City. They specialize in "metric" cruisers.(Japanese brands). Some nice looking work he does there.

http://www.coyotecustom.com/abou.htm

[goju]

7. Japanese brands?

You trying to get me run out of Sturgis with a "kick me" sign on my back? :)