I see a ton of chopper shops but no jap bike shops.
2007-10-25 06:36:29 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Look under Riceburners in the phone book?
2007-10-25 06:43:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
It's got a lot to do with popularity(for lack of a better expression).
A good many of the 1970s choppers were built from Japanese motorcycles. The popularity went away.
Then comes the resurgence of HD, and their new image.
A new popularity is in town. It grew, and was coupled with the large availability of aftermarket parts. Then comes cable TV and all the shows. More popularity.
Add to all this the fact that from the 80s on up the Japanese have been concentrating on a different market with a very different style machine. The concept of cutting up this type of cycle is rare in that market, and the aftermarket has not encouraged it either.
Take heart, the imports are now making more of what they call "cruisers", and the aftermarket is also starting to support them. When there is enough interest, the shops will come. In the meantime, follow chopperchopster's suggestion and read the rags.
2007-10-25 22:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people who have Harleys ,have and are willing to spend money on their bikes.
Typically owners of Jap bikes are far more concerned about cost.
Shops would not stand to make much money with a tight clientele.
Further complicating the issue is the fact that there is not much in the way of metric aftermarket accessories which means a lot of "one off " fabrication adding to the potential cost of customizing a Jap bike.
2007-10-25 13:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your question is flawed,
There are lots of people who customize their Japanese bikes, just making choppers from them is not quite as popular as for Harleys. If you ride a Jap bike, why degrade it's handling by chopping it? They outhandle the "American" bikes, and it is usually why certain people prefer them, it has nothing to do with what they can afford. Weren't the people riding Harleys of long ago for the poor folks? When did Harley become a symbol of wealth? Isn't being a rebel about not conforming, and if so, why are Harley people all similar? There's the reason I don't ride one, besides not wanting to buy a trailer to tote it, and worrying about scratches and rust.
True, Jap bikes can be very, very affordable, but so what? It only means some people pay more than others to ride, that's all.
2007-10-25 17:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by Jim! 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not very clear about ur question. If u want ot know the custom japanese motorcycle builder shops, I advise u to get on a site called bikerkiss to get more info. There are many motorcyclists there. I think they will give u some useful info.
2007-10-29 05:04:05 · answer #5 · answered by Tomas F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember a company "Zero Engineering" from one of those Biker Build-offs on the Discovery Channel. Their choppers are GORGEOUS. They use all old parts. I love old bikes.
If your talking about sport bike style shops (which I kind of think you are by talking about chopper shops ), go tot he Speed Channel website and look up the show Super Bikes. They showcase hundreds of sport bike style shops.
2007-10-25 13:45:19 · answer #6 · answered by dirty_jerzee99 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean Japanese builders who build choppers, or accessory shops/builders for Japanese custom bikes, or people who customise Japanese non-custom bikes.
Whichever you choose you haven't been looking hard enough, bike customising, personalising and accessorising is huge in Japan.
2007-10-25 14:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by Tim D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because jap bikes are built right in the first place ... no need to improve on a bad design like a harley...also harleys are very popular with the idiots with a lot of spare change...they draw wannabees like flys to dung...I've ridden since I was a kid and am amazed at guys who buy a 20 thousand dollar 10 ton piece of garbage and spend 10 thousand more to make it even uglier...get a decent bike like a husquivarna 510 and give every harley rider the finger as you pass em.....they;ll respect you for your honesty......
2007-10-26 09:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
There are some out there.Look at Baron's customs,ebay v-stars are popular.I've chopped anything from a cb450 Honda to Suzuki Savage,Yamaha Roadstar,to my Shovelhead.
2007-10-25 16:35:28 · answer #9 · answered by demin64 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out V twin magazine, put out by paisano publications the same people who put out Easyriders magazine its full of jap customs.
2007-10-25 17:18:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
1. Too many Kamikazes!!! 2. Not enough rice to pay them!! 3. Can't make them look as cool!!
2007-10-25 19:34:32 · answer #11 · answered by Bear 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋