Flat Black Bikes

This is one that defiantly falls under the OPINION category. Bikes that are painted rattle can flat black. Where do I stand on this? I think that it use to make a statement by saying I don't care I'm just going to paint it dull black and ride the hell out of it. The problem with that is everyone is doing it now. It is no longer original or even rare. I have seen flat black bikes that I like. One of my favorites is the Steamroller by exile cycles http://www.exilecycles.com/the_horse_steamroller1.htm . This bike adds just the right amount of chrome aluminum and flat black. Then there are a lot of them that are ALL blacked out. Wheels, forks, motor, oiltank, everything. I've never seen an all flat black bike that I liked. Well what I should say is I've never seen one that I didn't think, "ya know if they painted that it would look cool as hell". A lot of the bikes I see are too much of a good thing. Then there are also the bikes that have rusty chrome and dirty aluminum and guys paint them flat black. Nothing wrong with that, but in my opinion without some chrome or aluminum, the bike is just dull. I have also heard guys bitch about all the billet barges and chrome horses. Well there right to an extent but I do like chrome.

I really think that some of the bikes are flat black because the person just didn't want to spend the money to have pieces re-chromed. I can see their point. Chrome is getting to be more expensive than gold. I just also think this is the same reason that some people insult bikes for having chrome or billet. Jealousy plain and simple. It's cheaper to pick on chrome and billet than to buy it. Of course there are those select few I've seen that have actually removed brand spanking new chrome just to paint it black.

NOW don't get me wrong. Black is my favorite chopper color. I am just not a huge fan of flat black. I like. Shiny black that looks like its been dipped in glass. I really like black with flames. A sickness of mine from way back.

The flat color style started with the old street rodders that would drive their cars around while they were still in primer. We've all seen them. The old Mercury coupes that are all gray or dark primer just screamin down the highway. Almost as if they're saying " I'm not the prettiest but I'm fast as hell" Those cars look cool because they came with a lot of chrome right from the factory. I've seen some sweet black Mercury coupes (one of my favorite cars) and they look cool. Flat black with a chrome grill and shiney chrome baby moons. But their not flat black all over.

At the left you can see a few examples of over done flat black and just how much more a nicely painted bike jumps out at ya… They damn near slap you in the face by comparison.

Well anyway. That is my opinion on this topic. Had to write this one for all the guys that call me a chromosexual….. Well now you know my opinion… Ya flataphyles…..

Slick