Shiny dont really work that well?

Question

seems the bike runs better with road film on it, not just washed and waxed. the washed and waxed crowd are too afraid to put any miles on it. i got heel marks on my pipes, scrapes on my floorboards and fingerprints on my tank. h**l, even the leather saddlebags little scrapes and cuts. its like character to the chrome! seems to ride better that way, anyone else agree? how many of you seen the old bikes with rust and wear and thought it was cool?

Answer 1

Mine looks like c**p even after I wash it.

Yeah, I wash. Salt eats everything.

I got peeling chrome, scrapes, scratches, dings, and a dent in the tank that looks suspiciously like my left knee (gee, wonder why).

Call it "personalization", if you will.

How you personalize yours is up to you. Some do it with chrome, others with other stuff.

As far as how it rides, it was exactly the same when it was all shiny new.

Fingerprints?

I guess some would call that dirty.

Answer 2

mine usually look good for about a year after I build & paint them.last painted the one I'm riding in 05 & now its dinged up & chipped about as bad as joeb's knuckles .

starting to leak oil now too. have to decide whether to redo it or start another one this winter.

if you've only got a couple of paint chips you can cover them with those bullet hole decals, people will think you've got a warped sense of humor instead of just a rat bike.

Answer 3

The only time mine sees water is when I am riding in the rain. I have never waxed my bike. My shovelhead  would fall apart if I were wash the oil and road grime off.

Answer 4

Never seen mine Huh!!!

I even covered up a S&S 127 with peeling wrinkel paint just to make it look like a old road bike

Answer 5

Generally its' all about perception-a bike likes to be ridden. If you leave it sitting too long or don't ride it long enough to get warmed up it just somehow gets all gummed up inside. If you ride a lot and take the time to buff every little smudge, well, that's just a lot of work. We all only have so much time to devote to anything so its' probably ride or shine or varying degrees thereof.

Answer 6

Hahaha...my husband has a cool bike (Suzuki Bandit 1200S), but he enjoys riding his brother's bike which is an old Virago that's got scrapes, dents, rust, etc.  It's actually more comfortable than his own bike.  

He's also got a new DRZ 250 dirt bike, but prefers to ride his old one too which is a 1974 Yamaha DT 360.  It looks busted but he loves house it rides!

Thumbs up to old rides!!!!!!

Answer 7

the coils on my rear shocks are pitted with rust (still safe though) the bike is at any given time filthy, my pipes are past blued... they almost look like a g*y pride supporter they're so rainbowed, i've melted **** on the pipes, boot scuffs, my pegs are all worn on the bottoms from aggressive corners, my tank's paint is scuffed from my tank bib, bugs stuck to anything forward facing

wouldn't change a thing (well maybe the pipes could use some header wrap)

Answer 8

They definitely look better with a little wear and tear.