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Language evolves, bobber is no longer limited to chopped up backyard butcher jobs, but, as Dwight has pointed out, a style. Its not the 1940s, but the 2010s,....change happens.

Won't change my mine nor the guys I hang with, nothing from a factory will ever be a bobber or a chopper. I resent "backyard butcher jobs" Many really cool well done bikes were made in a backyard or personal garage.

dernit dog, I hate to agree with you, but I do sort of. A 'factory custom' is an oxymoron. The word 'custom' embodies a measured owner's touch. Not the owner choosing between factory options.

One off. Unique. Original.

I agree, OCC or West Coast along with a few others do make one of customs but the "customs from HD to me are not really customs. Choice of options? Yes, custom? not really.

I'm with Ian and Moe on this one.

However gentlemen, the idea of a "custom" motorcycle wasn't the issue at hand here, and even though it was Ian, not I, who brought the term "Custom" into the conversation.

The issue at hand here was not about the term "Custom", the issue at hand here was about certain "styles" of motorcycles and the "accepted" nomenclature of those "styles" in use today, such as the use of the terms "Chopper" and "Bobber".

I WILL agree with the thought that the idea of a "Factory Custom" seems almost an oxymoron, however this then brings up another issue. Could not the facilities used to fabricate motorcycles at Orange County and at West Coast Choppers and for that matter any shop where they produce "Custom" motorcycles for sale and in which might turn out, say, 10 to 20 motorcycles in a month ALSO legitimately be called a "factory", and even though there may not be an "assembly line" located within such a facility?

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Could not the facilities used to fabricate motorcycles at Orange County and at West Coast Choppers and for that matter any shop where they produce "Custom" motorcycles for sale and in which might turn out, say, 10 to 20 motorcycles in a month ALSO legitimately be called a "factory", and even though there may not be an "assembly line" located within such a facility?

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No.

jeez Dwight, how can we hijack a thread with you involved? lol

Back in the formative days of bonnevilleamerica.com (and the associated rallies) the word custom was paramount. We all were most impatient to see what other members had done to their rides, not the least of which was custom stuff, or what off the shelve stuff was MODIFIED for use. Custom is as one's hands do. Not terd hands from occ.

But I just may be full of it too.

'I built this' = custom
'I had this built for me' = nice but no Opus X.

This should make you feel a little better Moe, I have to disagree slightly with you here. I had this built for me can still be custom if it was actually custom made and not just a choice of options. If just a choice of options then not custom as you said.

Custom

That is, in fact, custom.

shameless custom plug

Nice Dave.