Do you think a police officer is more likely to give a hard time to a rider with a "mountainbike with an engine slapped together" compared to a "nicely painted, custom made parts, classic retro cruiser"?
I think the main things to avoid encounters of the police kind are;
1. wear a helmet
2. wear eye protection
3. follow the road rules, stop at lights etc.
I have been "looked over" many times by the law. I do those 3 things. I frequently ride in 35mph traffic and the most I've gotten from a cop is a wave.
Really? I have never been stopped and I think mine looks as motorcycle like as any....but where I am, I come close to being legal a hair too much HP, a bit too much speed.the cops probally wouldnt even notice a old bike or a mountain bike. but get a bright painted up cruiser that looks like a motorcycle and they'll be all over you....
I love it too! This is kind of what I meant for the poll. It seems like a well crafted bike like this would get more respect than a thrown-together commuter, (no offence meant to those who just want simple and cheap transportation). Of course that's just my opinion and I want to hear from everybody else.I think it's appearance does matter a lot. I've rode my bike in front of police officers on motorcycles from neighboring cities in L.A (which are a lot more tougher than L.A.P.D when if comes to issuing tickets and harrassment) and they have loved it. I think that their attention is drawn into the uniqueness of the bike and tend to forget about it being a bicycle and issuing me a ticket for no registration, turn signals, m2 license etc...Below is a picture of my bike taken by another member at a meet. As you can clearly see, it now looks more like motorcycle rather than a motorized bicylce
You're right! its a Micargi "huntington frame". very good bike, no problems whatsoever. I just love the low and stretched stance of the frame. It was perfect for this projectI love it too! This is kind of what I meant for the poll. It seems like a well crafted bike like this would get more respect than a thrown-together commuter, (no offence meant to those who just want simple and cheap transportation). Of course that's just my opinion and I want to hear from everybody else.
BTW, is that a chinese cruiser frame? It looks like the Micargi frame I was going to buy before I found the Schwinn.