I can't believe this thread hasn't gotten more comments. :? :roll:
For those of you who don't understand, or maybe don't care, Gigs posted this thread because the guy appears to be claiming (in some instances) that he can build or has built many of theses bikes. Any of you that are Freakbikers or are from the old CBN board should recognize some of the bikes as built by Eric Hannan. The guy also has some other familiar looking bikes, from some of the other guys. But as far as we can see, he's never obtained permission from Eric or some of the other "true" builders/owners. Choppers US is also on his site, but as far as we know he wasn't given direct permission from them.
It may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but, trust me, it is to these guys. He could really screw things up for them on future sales and the way their businesses are viewed.
It could also trickle down to many of us that build our bikes for the pure fun of it. I don't know too many of us who have a problem "borrowing" ideas from our builds or others, but I think everyone of us would be a little more pissed if we woke up to our exact bike being claimed to have been built by another.
If he creates too many problems it could "amp up" how the whole custom/rat bike hobby operates. It's very possible for the larger manufacturers to lay claim to certain designs that they have seen on your bikes. More money usually wins, bottomline! What about government intervention? Could this lead to stricter laws for frame length, handlebar height, fork length, tire sizes. Not to mention all the cool little do dads and thing-a ma- bobs that we all like to personalize with! If he, or others like him, steal others ideas and tries to duplicate them without the quality and integuity, he'll create so much bad publicity that lawsuits are sure to follow, then rules and regs start to step in! Not to mention the way our culture is viewed. Many of us already have jumped on the "China bike hatred" bandwagon. So it's not to far out to think that this guy could cause the same feelings towards a Hannan Custom, a Basman, or Chopper Us parts, bikes or business ethic. Let's try to help these guys whenever possible instead of just sitting back on our butts and not giving a crap!
The bike hobby really has a new life with the economy the way it is, let's show support to the guys that ventured out and into the dark and turned their love of bikes into a business. If you see anyone claiming to have built a bike that is definitely not theirs or their design, please let us, Gigs or Chainy, know. We want to give credit to the right people for their efforts. To acknowledge their craftmanship, their inspiration toward the hobby, and their ability to start a business of something they truely love!
But let's also acknowledge who the clowns are that want to tarnish or community. I don't know what any of you guys can do, if anything, but please keep this thread in the back of your mind. Support the ones who better the hobby, not the ones who wanna make a fast buck off someone elses accomplishments!
If any of you have any ideas please list them here or on the FBM board under this topic.
Thanks,
Chainy
