KZ200 Rider On The Beach

This is picture of my friends from Black Mangoes Motor Club which is taken at Tirtamaya Beach, Indramayu – Indonesia. Shoot in the morning during the sunrise. I like the lighting and atmosphere of silence.

Kawasaki KZ-200 Year 1983 modified with chopper style make the perfect silhouette of this picture. Thanks to Embong for the great job.

Motorcycle Saddlebags History

Saddlebags are most commonly used to carry luggage on a motorcycle. There are 2 major kinds of motorcycle saddlebags. Throw over saddlebags and hard mount saddlebags. The concept of hard mount saddlebags originated from throw over saddlebags which were used in early 1950 for the first time.

As the motorcycle industry experienced a big boom in 1960 especially after the Vietnam War the motorcycle luggage also evolved. As major motorcycle companies launched bigger and better motorcycle people started traveling farther on there motorcycles. Many riders formed groups and rode cross country and from city to city. The throw over style of saddlebags was soon replaced by a better and more reliable way of carrying luggage.



A group of riders drilled several holes in the back fender of their motorcycles in order to permanently bolt the saddlebags to the motorcycle. This permanent installation resulted in the saddlebags being more reliable and sturdy. This step also contributed towards the aesthetic appeal of the motorcycle. The trend soon gained popularity amongst the riders.

Motorcycle companies like Indian Motorcycle Company and Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company noticed this trend and soon started producing motorcycles with struts. The struts enabled motorcycle riders to bolt the motorcycle saddlebags without making any permanent changes to the motorcycle such as drilling holes in the back fender. Later the same strut enables other accessories to be securely mounted on a motorcycle such as motorcycle carrier and sissy bars.

As the Asian motorcycle manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha made their way into North American market they also made sure that the riders get enough room for the luggage. Yamaha motorcycles are a classic example of this as they manufacture most of their bikes with most room for the saddlebags. They also make sure that the turn signal does not interfere with the saddlebags, a common problem with smaller motorcycles.

In 1980 the motorcycle companies realized that most 1000 cc and above motorcycles are used for long rides. To further add value to their motorcycles they started selling motorcycles with fiber glass saddlebags. These motorcycles did well as most of these came with the motorcycle specific luggage. This also saved the motorcycle rider a lot of time and headache.

Despite the popularity of factory installed saddlebags motorcycle riders still prefer leather saddlebags in most cases. This is due to the fact that motorcycles leather saddlebags can be customized to a greater degree as opposed to motorcycle specific fiber glass bags.

Most early motorcycle saddlebag companies used studs, spots and conchs to decorate the saddlebags. Recently the more advanced motorcycle saddlebag companies have started manufacturing and offering saddlebags that are not only motorcycle specific but also match the color of the motorcycle. Another approach is to design the leather motorcycle saddle bags in such a way that it blends in with the overall design of the motorcycle. These advancements have resulted in more and more people willing to install saddlebags on their motorcycles.

Do You Really Need A Customized Motorcycle?

Motorcycles have been popular for decades and more people realize their dream of owning one every year. But, shopping for a motorcycle that fits you comfortably can be very time consuming. You have to be comfortable while riding and you need to be able to control the bike for safety. Most motorcycle accidents happen to new riders who have not chosen their motorcycle wisely. A customized motorcycle that is designed exactly the way you want it might not be the best option either.

Although a motorcycle that is built especially for you might be pleasing to the eye there are considerations
1. A customized motorcycle can cost upwards of $100,000.00, more than buying a house.
2. Finding a reputable builder
3. It usually takes months to build
4. Insurance and cost of repairs
5. Replacement would be difficult if not impossible
Although you can't customize all of the features of a prebuilt motorcycle from your local dealer, there are many that you can. Having someone build a customized motorcycle for you is an option but, you may find you can make the changes you are looking for to a bike at your local dealer.
1. Order a motorcycle from a dealer and change some of the options
2. These motorcycles have a manufacturer's warranty that can be easily extended
3. The price is more affordable and can often be negotiated
4. Easily customizable with readily available parts
There are some bikers that are capable of building their own custom motorcycle and many of them have. The main reason a person may need a customized motorcycle would be a disability that prevents them from riding a standard one. Even with this in mind it is possible to find a bike from a local dealer that can be modified at the factory to fit the need. This type of option would still require a little time to build but would be much more affordable.
Another reason for a special build would be weight. The average motorcycle recommends a 350 pound weight limit. This could make it difficult and dangerous for a large person to carry a rider. There are options for these situations as well, consider a side car or a trike rather than a customized motorcycle.
If you are especially short or tall you might think you can't find a bike that fits you comfortably but, that's not the case. You may need to shop around a little more but most manufactures provide a variety of styles to fit just about every rider and you will find one you are comfortable with.
The point is, you don't need to have an expensive customized motorcycle built for you unless you want it. But if you choose to have one custom built to your specifications you will want to make sure you choose a reputable builder unless you plan to build it yourself. Find out about their warranty if any and refund policies if you are not satisfied. In most cases the builder will require a significant deposit that may not be refundable. You will want to be involved as the build progresses to insure your desires are being met.
Owning and riding your own motorcycle can be a very relaxing way to spend your free time, and an inexpensive form of transportation especially with the price of gas today. The average motorcycle holds about 4 gallons of gas and can get up to 300 miles per tank full.

What are Bobber Style?

Sometimes I get bored with the standard style motorcycle. it occurred to me to modify it, but at a cost that is not too high. And not too long in the process. In other words, something simple but still has artistic value and functionality of a motorcycle.

After searching the style to suit my taste, my choice finally fell on Bobber style.
What are Bobber Style?
A bobber is a motorcycle that usually has had the front fender removed, the rear fender "bobbed" or made smaller and all superfluous items removed to make it lighter. _[Wikipedia]
Bobber choppers are distinguished from regular choppers because their fenders have either been shortened or entirely removed. Bobbing (or removing) the fenders is one of the first things that a custom chopper builder considers to make an ordinary bike look like a true chopper. _{[Custom Chopper Guide]}
 

 
Bobbers are related to choppers in that they represent a minimalistic approach where the motorcycle is stripped of parts or accessories not needed but bobbers generally leaving the characteristics of the stock frame.
The principal difference between a bobber and chopper is that bobbers are typically built around unmodified frames. Chopper frames are often cut and welded into shape. Bobbers also often lack most of the chopper's aesthetic characteristics such as chromed parts and elongated forks. Thus, bobbers are fairly easy to create from stock motorcycles and are generally hand built.

The term chopper started to be used from the late 1960s onwards, a movement inspired the Peter Fonda movie "Easy Rider", for motorcycles whose frames had been customized to have a greater angle at which the front suspension protruded with smaller fuel tanks and tall handlebars called ape hangers. For many owners, the difference between bobbers and choppers doesn't come down to what's on the motorcycle but what isn't on it and whether it has a short front end or a long front end, stretched suspension defining it is a chopper.
Whereas customized motorcycles can be extremely expensive, bobber builders tend to adopt an economical approach involving old, second hand, recycled parts and hand machined items redolent of the period before the mass-market motorcycle accessory industry had developed.

Chopper Anaconda

Creativity Raynaldo Handoko of Semarang deserves two thumbs up. How not. Only with machines Kawasaki KZ-200 Binter Merzy gift of a friend who is now in Australia. Modified BJM members who are also traders of variation, accessories importer and builder of this engine is also able to build a cool ProStreet chopper.

Raynaldo here, which is familiarly called Han-Han, to exploit existing ideas in his brain. The choice, the style of the genre masterpiece of American chopper style. "The idea is to see from the plots Chica Custom Chopper, United States," he explained.

He relied on in creating handmade. Start of frame, body, taped up trappings variations. In addition, he has cultivated a strong and terkonsep details.

Almost all sides until Footstep, standards, and the brake lever is formed through captivating taste. "His name is also handmade, we become more flexible in creating," he explained.

To order constructed of pipe schedule 3/4 dim neatly formed and measured precision. Because, rather than merely being pursued beautiful, but can be worn comfortably. "Do not get in a good shape, but when it climbed only baseball center because of faulty design," added Han-Han.

Anaconda wearing body resembling a galvanized plate. Technically, the cultivation of 0.8-mm plate material was quite complex. Have to be patient and neat and symmetrical because not enough just to set up master and print like fiberglass.

"That's where his art. In addition to consideration as well as connect the body from front to back, it must seem sturdy plastic and does not impress," why choose disposable plates.

Another performance of the work of the prominent Han-Han, see the distinctive exhaust design tastes of the chopperis. Two short lengths of pipe bending slope at the side of the machine. Then, air filter, swing arm, and several sharp curves dominated motor side, supporting the body design of Anaconda.

Jap Style a.k.a Japanese Style

Japanese Style or Jap Style is a genre of motorcycle modification, its minimalist and almost naked. Usually has the characteristics of the large tires and throwing accessories are not necessary. Only some important parts are still mounted as headlight, turn lights, and brake lights. Maybe some pictures below can inspired you.