DEBUTANT: A CUSTOM YAMAHA MT-07 FROM A NEW BELGIAN SHOP

[KungFooBob]

https://www.bikeexif.com/custom-yamaha-mt-07









The tyres are stupid, but other than that I like it. Looks light weight.

[weeksy]

I'm very much a yes... Agree on the rubber and a nice set of S21/22s would go a treat.. but overall... yeah i'm in

As long as it doesn't rain !

[ogri]

Not at ugly as a standard one. Need front mudgaurd at least, doubt i could handle those low bars though.

[DefTrap]

It's a bit boring.
Some of these customisations of modern bikes just look as if some of the OE parts fell off.

At least yesterday's GL they'd had to think.

[Count Steer]

Looks all right that.

Q1? What sort of use do they actually make those tyres for? Only ever seen them on customs.

Q2? How do they get round all the construction and use sort of regs that some EU countries seem fond of. Is it anything goes in Belgium and France? They seem to have a few customs shops.

[ChrisW]

Looks great - I like the way they've finished the top yoke. In my imaginary life where I live in the hills above the Med it's be ideal for nipping down into town.

The tyres are just dual purpose (on-road off-road) as fitted to adv bikes etc.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It's a bit dull and I wonder why they bothered

[Count Steer]

Looks great - I like the way they've finished the top yoke. In my imaginary life where I live in the hills above the Med it's be ideal for nipping down into town.

The tyres are just dual purpose (on-road off-road) as fitted to adv bikes etc.

Ah. I suppose I must have seen them but on bikes where they blend in IYSWIM. They look a lot more chunky than the Tourance I always used and I was probably concentrated on hanging on when I did the MX type thing.

[Mr. Dazzle]

With regard to construction and use regs - I imagine they just say "it's not for road use, not our fault if the owner rides it"?

[Count Steer]

With regard to construction and use regs - I imagine they just say "it's not for road use, not our fault if the owner rides it"?

If people didn't buy them and ride them I imagine they wouldn't make 'em. Can the owners get insurance? I can't imagine at the price of customs the typical owners are completely lawless, rogue types who'd try to give Le Vieux Guillaume the slip if they got pulled.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Kinda assumes the owners are honest about the legality of their bikes I suppose? Maybe that's just insured as an MT-07?

[ChrisW]

I'd assume a lot of these bikes are made to raise the shop's profile so they can get work making less extreme customs, sell parts & accessories, merchandise etc.

[DefTrap]

Q2? How do they get round all the construction and use sort of regs that some EU countries seem fond of. Is it anything goes in Belgium and France? They seem to have a few customs shops.

Well France is (currently) no mot for bikes. Insurance is the same as the UK, you should state any mods. Presumably anything really radical needs checking but I dunno if anyone does. LePlod aren't really bothered.

[The Spin Doctor]

It's all very same-y... fat tyres, stripped off bodywork, no mudguards, round headlamp drop bars, and the obligatory sawn off plank for a seat.

It's getting as dull as watching the stream of UJMs in the 80s. The whole point of a custom is doing something different, now what everyone else is doing.

[mangocrazy]

^ This ^
The only thing that changes is the name on the tank. Formula Custom.

[weeksy]

It's all very same-y... fat tyres, stripped off bodywork, no mudguards, round headlamp drop bars, and the obligatory sawn off plank for a seat.

It's getting as dull as watching the stream of UJMs in the 80s. The whole point of a custom is doing something different, now what everyone else is doing.

Let's see your best efforts then. I think it's a lot bloody harder than you'd ever imagine

[The Spin Doctor]

Let's see your best efforts then. I think it's a lot bloody harder than you'd ever imagine

Why do you think it's "harder than I'd imagine"?

I certainly wouldn't even attempt it - I don't have the skills. Some of the bikes that appear here I do like - and I say so. But most are formulaic. And there's nothing wrong with saying so. If people call themselves 'custom builders' they put themselves up to be criticised.

[mangocrazy]

I'm not doubting that it's hard to build a custom to the level of finish of (for example) the bike in this thread. My annoyance is that most 'custom' builders apply their expertise in a very formulaic manner. They have the metal working chops down pat, but the imagination is lacking. They lock into a particular style with all of its received wisdom and just crank the handle, albeit with verh high levels of finish in many cases.

[Count Steer]

I'm not doubting that it's hard to build a custom to the level of finish of (for example) the bike in this thread. My annoyance is that most 'custom' builders apply their expertise in a very formulaic manner. They have the metal working chops down pat, but the imagination is lacking. They lock into a particular style with all of its received wisdom and just crank the handle, albeit with verh high levels of finish in many cases.

A bit like manufacturers sometimes.

[KungFooBob]

I guess most builders need to make money.

Make it too out there and it'll never sell.