Well, it stems from my original and main love, classic cars. The issue is there are people looking for complete ones, and people will hack up a good one because they don't want to spend a little effort on something rougher. Then I got into bikes, and when I started, before ye e-bay etc. Finding a good vintage bike was extremely tough. Then I go to a show, there is some guy with a mediocre bobber/cafe built from a cherry and complete version of the bike I be looking for. That would be sorta the start ^.^NobleHops wrote: No offense (and I know you're far from alone in feeling this way), but I don't get the angst. Pretty much everyone that wants a CBX can get one, and we all need parts, many of which aren't available from Honda. If guys didn't part out bikes, my bike would still be parts.
You may argue that some bikes are more or less worthy of the fate than others, but I prefer nice clean parts too. YMMV.
I have a firm belief in save the complete packages for those who would like to own one. I would rather go to a show and be beside another vehicle like mine, opposed to being there by myself cause I got parts from buddy's otherwise complete (and possibly better condition) bike that got sold to some breaker.
Now some bikes are beyond service. Toasted engine, broken suspension, etc. Those are understandable. It is only the complete and good condition vehicles that make me sigh a little. On that note, I also am pretty good modding and am not concerned with some aftermarket parts or not being concourse complete.
Personally, I like dirty and scuzzy parts then refurbishing them. I do not feel bad that way about wrecking something original, and usually (should I care or choose to) be nicer than a factory condition. Prime example is my nighthawk, (the hence RJ CB650). That is a bike that probably 95% chance would have only been bought by somebody to part out. However, I put the performance goodies, mods etc. onto it and now have something way better than if I had bought a "good condition" for the same total investment.