In the late 90s and early 00s, custom motorcycles hit the mainstream. Custom builders like Orange County Choppers and West Coast Choppers were featured on television and became status symbols for a multitude of riders across the globe. Bikes built by these experts cost tens of thousands of dollars and were a rider’s pride and joy. Unfortunately, most riders can’t afford custom motorcycles built by one of the big names, and, besides, the waiting list is longer than the trip from Sturgis to Little Sturgis. The upside is that many custom motorcycle builders have sprung up from the dry well and can offer you the same quality for much less.

When you’re searching for the right custom motorcycle builder, there are a few things you’ll need to remember. If you’re looking for serious power, check out some of the builder’s previous work. A good custom drivetrain package contains the engine, transmission, starter and belt drive that will give your bike all the power you need. The drivetrain comes in different colors and styles, though black, silver or natural are most common. A natural finish means that the metal looks exactly as it appears when cast. Make sure that the builder specializes in the drivetrain package you choose.
Another factor to consider is the kind of gas tank that the builder can offer you. Builders are usually more knowledgeable in the workings and design of certain types of gas tanks than others. If you need a stretch tank, you’ll have no trouble finding a custom motorcycle builder, since stretch tanks are one of the most popular styles. An expert in hybrid tanks may be a bit harder to find.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a builder that can produce a great tank from scratch, giving your ride a completely unique appearance. The gas tank is one of the most important components of your bike, and you may want to stick with an old rule: bigger is better. More room in the tank means less stopping at gas stations.

A builder with the ability or connections to give you a great paint job is essential. Whether or not the builder can actually paint, he should have someone he works with or can recommend to you. Traditional flames should be no trouble, but finding someone to give you a design far off the beaten path will take some hunting. Skulls are another traditional option, whether they’re the ghost of Davy Jones or the Grim Reaper himself. If you want a roaring lion or an eagle on the prowl for its prey, make sure that your builder can provide the paint job you want. Maybe you want something a bit more subtle. In that case, a cool wash of color or a variation on a familiar logo may be what you’re after. Again, check with your prospective custom motorcycle builder to see what he can offer.

With some luck and a bit of homework, you’ll have the custom motorcycle that’s the envy of your riding buddies. Take care of it, make sure it’s as clean as the day you first took it home, and always ride responsibly.

Motorcycles are growing in popularity, especially as the cost of gas increases. But with the growing use of motorcycles comes the growing concern of their noise.

Not all motorcycles are noisy and most new motorcycles are built with federally mandated noise control standards. When a motorcycle is noisy it is due to the rider’s modification to the muffler tailpipe or an aftermarket exhaust system that is not street legal. Such modified exhaust systems can be heard and felt over a wide distance, rattling windows and traveling through walls. In the end, millions of people are adversely affected by this noise.

So if the motorcycles are so noisy, why do riders modify them? Mostly it is due to the fact that riders feel their sound will make them more heard by other motorists, which in turn will keep them safer. But this may be more a myth than truth. The American Motorcycle Association discourages cyclists in modifying their exhaust systems and have gone so far to create a creed that reads:

• All motorcyclists should be sensitive to community standards and respect the rights of fellow citizens to enjoy a peaceful environment.

• Motorcyclists should not modify exhaust systems in a way that will increase sound to an offensive level.

• Organizers of motorcycle events should take steps through advertising, peer pressure and enforcement to make excessively loud motorcycles unwelcome.

• Motorcycle retailers should discourage the installation and use of excessively loud replacement exhaust systems.

• The motorcycle industry, including aftermarket suppliers of replacement exhaust systems, should adopt responsible product design and marketing policies aimed at limiting the cumulative impact of excessive motorcycle noise.

• Manufacturers producing motorcycles to appropriate federal standards should continue to educate their dealers and customers that louder exhaust systems do not necessarily improve the performance of a motorcycle.

• Law enforcement agencies should fairly and consistently enforce appropriate laws and ordinances against excessive vehicle noise.

• The motorcycle industry and the safety community should educate customers that excessive noise may be fatiguing to riders, making them less able to enjoy riding and less able to exercise good riding skills.

To help combat noise problems, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets noise emissions standards for motorcycles. The standard for street-legal exhaust noise emissions is 80 dB(a). All motorcycles are required to display an EPA label on the chassis and exhaust pipe. The “label match-up” program was designed as regulatory measure for states and municipalities to control motorcycle noise.

Yet, the United States allow higher noise levels for motorcycles than in other regions and countries, notably Europe and Japan. In Australia, label match-up is also used in addition to annual inspections.

Affected residents are speaking up about the problem of motorcycle noise and lobbying their elected officials for better protection. There is increasing motorcycle restrictions on public lands, private roads and gated communities.

In California, police officers are forced to measure exhaust noise with a decibel meter using the dB(a) standard, which does not measure low frequency noise.

Citations are often challenged in court because the meters must be certified and calibrated for its readings to be used as evidence. In addition, police officers must be properly trained to use the expensive equipment. The result is that fewer riders are cited for noise violations.

Another enforcement measure is called ‘plainly audible standard’ that allows an officer to determine noise levels. In New York City, noise offenders can be cited if the motorcycle exhaust noise is plainly audible at 200 feet.

Because the problem has not been completely solved, residents of communities who have a larger than normal amount of motorcycle traffic are making efforts to help sound proof their homes. But in the meantime, maybe as motorcycle usage increases so will conscientiousness.

Many people dream of owning a business, and turning a hobby into a profession can seem like the ideal way to realize that dream. If you like to build and fix your own Harley Davidson, you could turn your passion for motorcycles into a lucrative opportunity. The subject of starting a business is beyond the scope of this small article, but here are a few tips to get you started.

Dream Big, Start Small

One of the reasons that a custom bike shop is such a good opportunity is that your startup costs don’t have to be large. You can start off working in your own garage on one project at a time. You won’t need to keep a large inventory of Harley bike parts on hand as you can order just what you need.

You can either build a custom bike of your own design then try to sell it, or you can take commissions and build someone else’s dream bike. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Using your own design means you can build according to your strengths and order just the Harley bike parts you need. You aren’t on a deadline so you can spend as much or as little time each day on it. The problem is that once you have the bike done, you have a significant investment in it and you have no idea how long it will be before you find a buyer.

Getting customers first and working on their design can be more lucrative but more difficult. You have a paycheck waiting for you at the end of the project and may collect some of the money up front. However you are now held to someone else’s ideas and timetable.

Transitioning from Hobby to Business

Turning your love of custom Harley bike parts into a profession may seem like a terrific idea, but there are pitfalls. The most important attitude adjustment you will have to make is to understand that this is a business now. One of the leading reasons home businesses fail is that their owners can’t make the adjustment. Many of your motivations will have to change.

This change means that some of the fun of bike building will disappear. Many people who own custom motorcycle shops find that they are less interested in working on their own bikes now that it is their job.

The fact that you can start small means you can test the waters of self-employment and see if you can make the adjustment. You could start with a weekend project without quitting your job, investing in only the Harley bike parts you need as you need them. After a couple of these kinds of projects you can decide if it seems like something you can commit to and if the income is worth the time you invest.