If you are into the stained glass look, go along to a store that sells lampshades and get something suitable like the BSA builder did.

This is such a good topic because if given enough time people will usually contradict themselves. People who hate when other people take a flat black paint bomb to there bike and pinstripe it see no problem making it into a cafe racer if done "right". Almost every one agrees that it really matters on what you start with . There are some bikes that are just off limits of good taste to chop , cut or cafe. Following this line of thought this is a bsa victor more than likely bought for a grand by a person who had more time than money . I agree with Vince , a good amount of inspiration went into it, but missed on the execution. Like the saying goes oil and lacquer dont mix. Good ideas poor taste. However I bet this person just wanted to make something that stood out and showed some craftsmanship and a little individuality and to that he was very successful, the proof is where discussing it.

How is fixing a lampshade onto the front forks reflective of craftsmanship?

It needs some razor blades and safety pins,,,,,,,
Looks like something from a sex pistols show,
Sorry to offend anyone but in my opinion it's rotton, waste of an old bike.
Poor thing

graeme

The razor blades and safety pin theme would suit the bike well..............and maybe some very sharp pointed spikes in the area where a seat would have been fitted.............lol

My opinion, Victors where ugly ducks to begin with. Them being made in England dosent save them from that. Like a guy wanting to chop or mod a Pinto , I say go for it, can't make it any worse than how it looked coming off the show room floor.

The lamp shade does show signs of craft, you have to shape a form out styrofoam , cut and grind glass. Then it looks like he used both lead came and copper foil . and a ton of sodder. Easy to do no . The end result silly very very silly. but Crafty yep.

Craftmanship is very relative, a person who has a torch and welder has a total different type of craft than a guy who has a lathe and milling machine and still yet the guy who uses a cnc to shape metal. I think we can honestly look at this bike and see that the person who built it didnt have an over abundance of equipment. There was definetly skill in many aspects of the bike. Heating, bending and making metal conform to what you want is a skill. Even the da da esque aproach for looking for bits in antique stores or junck yards or wherever he got them is a fun idea.

The fact that the lampshade used was almost certainly store bought, means that should the BSA owner wish to upgrade he could easily fit a second one for a more modern twin lampshade look.

I'm sure he made the lampshade/fairing , I wonder if he made some macrame saddle bags would it be taking to far for good taste ? Might as well go for the total hard core arts and crafts look!