La Road Créature de Paul Scott 07/03/2004
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From the earliest dawn of motorised two wheeled transport, a
wealth of talent has poured their energies into the creation of the individual
dream. Indeed, the industry started mainly in back sheds whereby a fascinating
array of individual velocipedes, some of which succeeded and some of which
faltered, were thrust upon a sometimes startled public. In later years many a
conversion, especially for sporting purposes, saw success exceed, even in some
cases, the manufacturer's expectation of their own product. This practice
reached its peak in the 1970's with the arrival of the cafe racer, most famously
depicted by the marriage of Norton and Triumph. It was the Californians who
stretched their motorcycles to the limit, creating the extended front fork, high
rise handlebar specials which became known as the Chopper. Quickly adopted in
the UK, some amazing machines with a strong cult following have subsequently
appeared. In the 1990's there is still a dedicated band of talented craftsmen
still pursuing this form of creative art in metal, perhaps now more calmly
called "custom motorcycles". At the leading edge of this art there is always
that individual who breaks new ground pushing the limits of brilliance in his
field that little further than his compatriots.