Hot Rodders and Bikers.

So, today I was cruising around, soaking up the 95 degree heat in my T Bucket. Along a sparsely trafficed stretch of road, a guy on a Harley was coming from the other direction. As we neared each other, he lowered his left arm and made a two-fingered gesture or sign. Now, this wasn't the first time this has happened and I assumed it was a good thing. So, like in times past, I returned the gesture.

Now, I don't own a bike, have never even learned to ride one, so I'm asking you guys what does that gesture mean? I Googled it (damn, I love Google) and it seems to be a good thing, but it seems like something only bikers do to each other.

So, what I'm asking is, is there some sort of bond that we share with bikers? Is it because, like bikers, we are indivduals? Is it acknowledging that we both are riding something dangerous? Oh... my return gesture is sometimes the "peace" sign.



It appears this Gullwing rider has no clue.

 

Hot Rods, Kustoms, n' Bikes have always gone together in my book.
.

 

maybe he just thought you were cute...

sorry, couldn't help myself...

 

I have had the same thing here when going fast one a bike maybe easier to put arm downward out of the wind maybe I'm not sure but I guess someone here will know

Cheers dylan

 

I've always been nuts about bikes and cars. Had a bike before I had a drivers license or car.
I think they are pretty much joined at the hip. Especially Harley's and Hot Rods.
A Bucket T is kind of like a 4 wheeled bike.
I have a 40 Merc coupe and just bought a Softail Slim 3 weeks ago. Kind of a bobber. I Get the "sup" jester all the time. Pretty heady stuff. It might be mostly a HD thing. not sure. I'd do it to a rod too.

 

Well, I was wearing a fresh HAMB hat.

 

means many things but it all boils down to. i cant tell you or id have to kill you.... just kiddin ya. ive been doin it for yrs to other brothers on harleys or indians..just a cool way to say hay or hey or hi brother or we are the coolest 2 out here. kinda like that shit..lol oh yeah i almost forgot the most important one...im turnin left...

 

I always thought they were tryin' to get the wind to blow a booger off their fingers.

 

Its the live long and prosper salute".
Which is also used by the sovereign people in the kingdom of King Ghidorah whose kinddom originates from Space Hunter Nebula..

 

Bet there are a lot of closet bike riders on here. I have a round case Ducati twin I am restoring. Kinda like Rickybops answer though...

 

And...so there you go... The definitive answer...
.

 

never cool enough to ride a sofa.. er Harley, but all motorcyclists do that. it's like your cool, and so am I.

if the hand is open and they are gesturing down, that means slow down cuz the cops are up ahead.

 

Front end dragsters and long old school choppers were the two that hooked me back in the '60's. I have gotten that hand wave in the Bubble top too. Back in the '70's-'80s the REAL H-D and such were way more friendly towards hot rods. Back then the 'street rodders' looked down upon my '56 chevy wagon because it wasn't 'nicely' finished.

 

He was just sayin hello, and acknowledging your choice of a ride. Strangely enough, he may not share the same jesture with an rider on an Asian bike. I'm a retired H-D dealer and have been a hot rodder since the early 70's. Hot Rods and Harleys usually create an instant bond. jmho.

 

And here all the time I thought they were pointing at the ants on the road .

Rocky

 

Pointing at the asphalt, which is where you eventually end up if you ride long enough.

 

i ride my sporty more then i drive any 4 wheeled vehicle...i do this for others on bikes and some hot rodders. i have had a bike over 10 years and honestly cant tell you an offical meaning. i always figured, its like a hello or a wave...but mostly i figure its about respect. you know not everyone gets what we do but you do man. i duno i could be wrong and someone older and wiser can correct me but i am gona go with its a sign of respect.

 

I've ridden Harleys for a while (since 1969), but I'm not cool enough to do the down low deal. I just wave or nod.

And yea, even back in the 60's/70's most scooter riders around here knew quite a bit about hot rods and customs.

 

He thought you had a nice dune buggy.

 

It's a form of "the wave". The wave originated way back in the days of dirt roads. To be a biker back then, you had to be a good mechanic to keep your rattletrap running and dealing with the crap that passed for "roads". When two bikers saw each other, they'd wave to acknowledge a common skill and passion for their chosen method of transport. It was/is a mutual respect thing.

Hot rodders need to have the same sort of skills and passion to keep their jalopies on the road. So the wave between bikers and rodders is an acknowledgement of that traditional respect.

 

I always get a positive reaction to the t-bucket from the bikers. Not so much love for the '35 sedan. Guess it's just another cage to them.

 

I also think it is a generational thing, because I remember in the '70's they would hold up a clenched fist...as in proud defiance...down low seems kinda hoody lazy nowadays...did I just say that outloud?

 

I've had it happen to me too. And I've always known its a good thing. In my head its a sign that says "that's right, we're kool"

When a classic car passes another here in this area we do it too.

 

They are actually pointing at your rimz.
"yo killa 20s cuz"

 

Bikers know what it takes to build a hot rod,they build theirs from the ground up like we do and they know we are kind of rebels of the road like them. Besides I have seen them with both,a Harley and a hot rod.

 

I always give them the Fonzie sign. (thumb up)

 

Its a sign of camaraderie. Like that mutual respect and understanding. I dont own a Harley (never will either, garbage bikes), but when Im riding, I usually "wave" (as its called) to other riders. It shows the mutual appreciation for the open road, and the enjoyment of being on a bike. It kind of transcends all boundaries that way. Thats why you see guys on Sportbikes sometimes waving to guys on scooters (and everything in between). Its just that "camaraderie" thats hard to speak of.

Im sure the rider of that Harley felt the same way towards you. As in "I respect your talent for being able to build that".
Bikes & hot rods always go together. Kind of like that wild side that most guys have.

Im not surprised at all. I usually wave to other hot rodders whether Im on my bike or in my 'rod.

 

It's pretty complicated, but it all boils down to "Yo" or a chin lift. Plus you are just colll, Fred.

 

what does it mean when they stare frozen eyed and show their teeth for about 5 or 6 seconds? my cat does this sometimes.

 

They are pointing out the future custom bike styling trends they will think is badass in like 5 years or so...that or turning left into the Hooters you just passed.