Monday, March 9, 2009

The Gumption Trap, Sportster Names

Many times during mock ups, you'll see that builders will goof with ideas with a sharpie. Since my Sportster was being built right behind the chair in my studio, it's almost impossible to resist the urge to doodle on the bike.

This started as a Sharpie doodle and one day while painting, I added to it.

As the project sat, it had this doodle on it for sometime. I liked the idea but wanted to do something that better fit the theme of the build. I've come to calling the bike "The Gumption Trap" (as in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance), because during it's endless construction I've lost my gumption several times from one set back after another.


I'll probably refine and paint a variation of this design. The "all seeing eye" is more "Zen" like and pays homage to the Then Came Bronson gas tank emblem. I put "front" on it as a joke like Von Dutch would often do.


I've always thought it would be fun to put a list of Sportster names on the the bike. Sort of a hall of shame. The more derogatory the better.

Just thought of a new name. Since some call Sportsters a Girl's bike, how about Vagina-Glide?

Here's where you come in. If you can think of any other Sportster names, drop me a comment.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Killster"

Chris K said...

Not bad. The "ster" thing may give me some ideas.

Made me think of Deathster, sounds like Death Star.

Some other bike owners might say Slowster.

Kickster, Won't Startster, Pain in the Asster!

drsprocket said...

Chris, I always liked the look of distain I received when I would ride my XLH down to the local HD dealer to get single weight 50 or 60 for my old big twins at home. The RUBs never wanted to follow you to the local twisty though. HD sells more of them than the BT's. Think of all the HA's that rode them in the 60's. Girl's bike my ass. Not your label I know.

krazy kevin said...

What gets me is I've had all kinds of flatheads over my 41 years of riding. The hangouts always had some 74's, sportsters etc and I'd roll in on my 1939 wldd "A 45 ci" & even though it was smaller that a 900cc sporty no one had a stupid comment to say about it!

Anonymous said...

i've heard it called "skirtster"

Chris K said...

Kevin, A '39 WLDD is a totally cool bike. It would take a uninformed dope to put one down. I'm a Flathead Freak myself. I have a 42 WLA that I need to put together.

By the way, I'm digging your blog. Great to see vintage choppers from the East Coast point of view.

Chris K said...

Skirtster, Haven't heard that one, it's good.

krazy kevin said...

Thanks Chris. Try to make our big show in Rhinebeck N.Y. in June. All
types of machines from stockers, bobbers and of course a few choppers tossed in to even out the
flow. And yes 45's rock!

Davidabl said...

"Spudster"