Well, back in the late 60's and early 70's we didn't have a catalog to order custom parts from (I owned a chopper shop). We made our own parts. I teamed up with Rich from Amen choppers to make custom parts and a catalog. My 1936 flat head 80 Harley chopper was on his first front cover.
I'm on another chopper forum where these guys build bikes from the ground up and everything but the engine and trans and cables are made by them.
One guy even made his own wheels, forward controls, air cleaners, frame, seat, pipes, tins, gas tank and complete front end! So... I was just wondering why they wouldn't "fit" A lever is a lever. A bar with a hole in it and sort of curves. Maybe they won't bolt right up but maybe with a little grinding/drilling they would work and look different from all the other bikes out there. Or maybe they curve the wrong way or are too short?
I hate to think we have become bikers that need custom parts from a catalog made to order that just bolt on without any thought or work and we follow everyone else. (me too, me too)
Hell, if that's the case then just buy a new Harley and all the "Ride to live" shit you can bolt on, a set of pipes and a cool custom set and call it a custom.
I don't think that's the way most members wanted to go so they bought Big Dogs that were different. If everyone here buys just custom parts from a catalog that bolt right on soon every Big dog will look the same. (just like most of the Harley "me too" guys with out the ride to live emblem)
I bought my Big Dog because it was the bike I wanted to build and it was already done. There are a few things I want and have changed like the belt drive, dual coils, Crane ign, and now re-wire it but it's still a Big Dog and the sissy bar I put on cost me $80 not $600. I like the looks of the BD controls (much better than Harley) but can I depend on them? Will they still be available 2 years down the line? It's been almost 5 years since Big Dog went out of business and sooner or later us BD owners will have to change things. Be it good or be it bad we need to look ahead and know we have to change too, to keep riding. Keep it stock for as long as you can but if you want to be different a set of Zombie levers are pretty cool. (PS I put flame levers from one of my old Harleys on my BD) A little drilling, a little grinding and they look good. I put a Harley clutch basket on my Baker trans. A little drilling, a little grinding but it looks and works great. Not everything can be bolt on perfect fit and if it is "is it worth the money and time to put it on?"
And I'm still waiting for someone, anyone to show me a link where I can buy a complete set of BD controls and switches for my bike. Not just parts and pieces but a complete set.... Anyone?