Anybody that's ever turned a wrench knows that eventually, their knuckles are gonna bleed from a nick, cut or scrape - but it's worth it because they probably leanred something in the process. The guys working in our garage, end up with a wealth of knowledge and perspective that can help us. So, instead of asking builders 20 questions about themselves, we've decided to give them an opportunity to speak their minds about the industry they love and the trials they face on a daily basis, with a few tips from the shop for us regular guys.
My name is Cole Foster of Salinas Boys Customs and I build custom hot rods and bikes. While the two genres aren't exactly alike, my passion for both is equal. Most of my days are spent in the shop, so I wouldn't call myself a slick writer type, but I might have some good words and ideas to share with you. I'll stay away from the typical new-school/old-school, hi-tech/low-tech crap you read in every other magazine. And you can skip my article if you're looking for commentary on the chopper industry's flavor of the week.
Instead, I want to talk about vision and planning, about not doing things for the sake of being different. Let's talk about scheme instead of theme (a whole different can of worms). I know that goes against some of the current trends, but stay calm, standing out will come with sticking to the plan.
I've seen too many bikes that look like they were built by three different people with three different ideas. They'll start strong with that idea, but somehow it just fades away. Maybe they see something they like halfway through the build and their vision for the bike changes abruptly. Whatever the case may be, I can spot them a mile away. After it's all said and done, the builder ends up with a "mutt" so to speak.
As a builder, I get customers coming to me with a certain look or style they're after. If I think they're hitting the mark, it's easy to come to an arrangement. All that remains is collecting the pieces and putting the hours in. More often, the customer can't see "it" until she's all painted and shiny. One of my strong points is being able to envision a part to a finished bike all the way through, keeping anyone and anything from steering me off the road and into the guardrail.
And if you've bought a part or spent all day making a piece that ultimately looks a little ill when it is on the bike, do not hesitate to throw it in the trash. Start again. It's not all home runs in the custom world; every bike builder has a big dumpster so don't let them fool you.
We've got over 100 years of history to look at and learn from. You're hard pressed these days to find a truly innovative style. If you look hard enough, you'll read about a guy who built a better one in a barn 30 years ago, with no television cameras and no CNC machines. So how do you stand out in a crowd if it's all been done before?
I try and do it with good taste. There is a treasure trove of pictures and info to look back on - use it! If, for no other reason, use it to figure out what you don't like. If it's a little vintage there, a little late model here, there's nothing wrong with showing you did your homework. I try and build things with timelessness in mind. Things that look good today should look good in 20 years.