Naming the bike, what do others do?

[Honestinjun']

I don't understand why people have an urge to name bikes? How about you name your '46 - "Indian Chief"? That's a pretty good name, don't ya think?

[hci]

You can't give a name to a motorcycle, it has to earn it. I have "Piglet", "The Rat", and "The Little Bastard", all for various reasons.

[drinner-okc]

Other people have always 'named' my stuff. I bought my 65 as a basket in 1972. The motor had set on the bench, assembled for several years. After months of assembly we started it up inside a building on a still summer night. It ran about 5 minutes & seized. We pulled it down & honed more clearance on the front cylinder. After the second try, it seized on the rear.
We honed both cylinders to the loose side, but the old wrench helping us said "it just may be a Seizer" So since 73 it has been.
My mom used to call my 69 Z-28 Clone a 'striped lime' (it's Lime Green)

[Knuck44]

I just give my bikes names when they don't want to start.

[brianbbs67]

So, the other night my wife asked me what I was going to name my 1946 Chief! I hadn't really thought about it but she explained that I am spending more and more time with this "other woman" that I really should name it. So I'm curious if naming your bike(s) is a common thing? Is it bad luck, is it somehow inappropriate? I've already thought of a good name, but I'm curious to know if other members have "anthropomorphized" (attributed human characteristics to) their old bikes!

If you've already named it, I'd say your already on that road.

[Pisten-Bully]

I don't understand why people have an urge to name bikes?

Yeah, me either. Wife brought it up, and she's got a 50% interest in it. Just trying to have some fun with the hobby.

So Sarge.... naming it after the wife, poses some interesting possible reactions if someone overhears you talking about your motorcycle, which you have named after your wife (let's call them Babs)....

confusion: "Babs is kept in the barn"

concern: "It usually takes me three kicks to get Babs started"

jealousy: "I usually hop on Babs three or four times a week"

more confusion: "If I found a buyer with the right price I'd sell Babs in a minute so I could get that Knucklehead I always wanted"

[Budster 95]

Ive never named a bike, but i would think the name of an old girlfriend would go over well......................

[Fabe]

The FXR is called "the FXR", but was once called "the Money Sucking pit of Dispair"
The '09 Lowrider is called "Dawna's bike"
The '12 Switchback is called "Dawna's other bike"
The Panhead is called "The Panhead". I tried "Lois", but she is a redhead (like my wife's sister) and that didn't go over so well. Thanks Sarge

[Pigpen]

49F - Blackie
49FL Hack - Brownie
56FLH - Elvis
58 FL- Stupid
59FLH - Lucky
65 FLH - Princess
65 Topper hack - Cutie Pie

[Ar Amytas]

So, the other night my wife asked me what I was going to name my 1946 Chief! I hadn't really thought about it but she explained that I am spending more and more time with this "other woman" that I really should name it. So I'm curious if naming your bike(s) is a common thing? Is it bad luck, is it somehow inappropriate? I've already thought of a good name, but I'm curious to know if other members have "anthropomorphized" (attributed human characteristics to) their old bikes!

Putt ... I just call it Putt, or Putt-Putt after the sound it makes