Monday, April 16, 2007

Fringe Annoys Me

Fair warning: Today's post isn't very deep or thought-provoking.

If there's one thing that I like, it's a stripped-down motorcycle. I love the aesthetic of bobbers, cafe racers and old-school streetfighters (seriously, what's up with the O.C.C.-ification of streetfighters? Keep 'em fast and flat-black.).

What I love about these bikes is their simplicity. To build a righteous bike, take away everything that is not an awesomely fast, sweet-riding 'sickle, and only add items that make the bike faster, better-handling or more reliable. I think we can all agree that these traits are highly desirable.

So what the hell is the deal with fringe? It seems to me that they make the bike slower (probably), uglier (definitely), and might even increase the odds of ocular injury to those in the vicinity of the fringe-laden motorcycle.

If, at some point in the future, you discover your bike has been infested with fringe, please do the right thing and burn it off with a clean, efficient propane torch. It's only humane, and your bike will be grateful.

2 comments:

Steve Williams said...

When I was in high school deerskin jackets with fringe were popular. Maybe it's that.

That was 1969. Probably takes awhile for things to catch up for some riders.

I have fringe at the bottom of my boots were the soles wear through. Does that count?

Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks

Combatscoot said...

Fringe was developed as a way for water to easily run off leather jackets and other outerwear used in incliment weather. Somehow, it managed to become fashion and cease to be useful.
John