New Ownership & New Opportunities at ChopCult

[Halwade]

Beginning January 1, 2013, ChopCult.com will be owned and operated by KaiStream Inc. KaiStream is a social-media management company with the staff and financing to do things for ChopCult Billdozer and I never could. KaiStream is not a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, but specialists in running sites like this one. ChopCult’s new owners are impressed with the community spirit of the site and have told us any subtle changes they might make will be months down the road, and will be done in the interest of keeping ChopCult growing and thriving just as it does today.

So, what does this mean to ChopCult members? Of course, the new owners pledge never to sell or share any personal information of our 25,000 members and nearly 175,000 monthly visitors, and all ChopCult.com content will remain intact. In months to come, KaiStream may make improvements to the forum and/or classifieds that we haven’t been able to execute due to lack of time and financing.

Two current ChopCult features that aren't making the cut are the miles redemption and CC merch stores. Members have until January 31, 2013 to cash in accumulated miles on their odometer for prizes in the redemption store, and we’ll satisfy orders for t-shirts and other ChopCult merch through the same date. On February 1 the odometers will exist to quantify your involvement on ChopCult for other members.

If you are an active ChopCult member, new ownership is committed to keeping the site your favorite online home. Casual visitors and hard-core members alike are unlikely to notice any significant changes, and that’s a good thing. KaiStream will reach out to active members for assistance with moderation and content generation as soon as other business is handled, but you don't have to wait. To volunteer your name or just join the conversation, please weigh in on this thread. Moderators and new ownership will respond to answer questions and hear good ideas when they are given.

To the thousands of friends, contributors, industry players, fellow builders and bikeriders we’ve met through ChopCult.com over the years, thanks for your support. We look forward to participating on here as members, and can't wait to see what's in store for the future.

Billdozer and Halwade

[NHMike]

I need someone to hold me.

[tattoo2303]

i sometimes think back to a brief conversation on chopcult in its early sates on a late night van ride back from the Ace of Spades or whatever that palace in the mountains was called with a smile. its amazing what its become and i thank you for not only getting the ball rolling but developing this into what it has become, i dont fear change and look forward to seeing what you guys produce in parts without the added work of this site.

[livingdeadmc]

[selectedgrub]

All the best.
Thanks.

[choadpanther]

I'm someone who does more lurking than posting. This has become my most visited, and favorite site on the web. Can't even begin to explain how much I've learned from CC. Thank you guys for creating this awesome community & forum! And congratulations as well. All the best!

[T1mmy]

[rus]

well that's weird.

[doomcycle]

If you guys need some help behind the scenes moving forward, I'd be happy to lend a hand. I work from home as a graphic designer so I'm never that far from a computer. A few years back I also ran/owned a very popular DVD news/review site (DVD In My Pants) so I'm familiar with what it takes to get new content up on a daily basis. Feel free to contact me if you need any assistance.

[purerockfury]

shit, i better start commenting like a mother fucker if i want that mullins kicker pedal i've been eye ballin...

[dpontherocks]

i'm a lurker as well. i have learned so much from this site and i spend enough time on here in the last year to make my wife hate it. which is a compliment to how great it is. i am bummed but at the same time i understand that it is not your primary business. the miles will be missed. it was a fun feature. i look forward to seeing your input as members as well. thanks.

[rus]

can you guys put some patches in the miles store? i dont need 3 sticker packs.
thanks.

[rodbuster86]

Good for you guys. Are you staying on as moderators?

[aaronc]

whoa,it aint goin all JJ is it?

[Grashopr]

I wish you guys the best of luck, and I hope the site stays at least semi-true to it's roots, but I've seen multiple "up and coming popular" sites taken over by management corporations (Sportbikes.net is a great example) and it becomes "how can we make the most money out of this?" instead of "how can we produce the best place for the collaboration of information?". Vertical Scope is another of the "information management corps" that purchase sites like this and I can tell you it becomes a bevy of un-related advertisement instead of the site that you love. I hope it doesn't happen here, and I hope you guys get to pursue your next projects to their fullest! Thank you for all the work you put in!

[JohnnyRainbow]

Well now.

[Halwade]

Billdozer always did a better job of moderating the site than I did, but yes, neither of us plans to bone out 100%.

The stuff in the miles store is what it is, and we hadn't planned on sweetening the pot for last-minute premium shoppers. The free stuff we give away on this free website is better and more plentiful than the free stuff they give away on other free websites, so this decision seems fair.

Good look and have fun, gentlemen, and thanks to all the well-wishers and back-patters on here for their words of encouragement and support.

Support like yours is why we did ChopCult for this long.

McGoo

[Rubman]

Said it on Facebook and I'll say it here:

How much money did you two make when you sold us out to a big-time company that cares only about managing websites and nothing about motorcycles/motorcycle building/motorcycle culture? Don't get me wrong -- I'm glad you were able to sell the site and make some squeeze off of it for all your time and hard work... But let's not pretend this is something it isn't.

[jluck27]

I think it sucks too, but let's not forget what Chopcult has done for us. All the sponsorship and giveaways. Unfortunately, everything changes. Good luck Bill and McGoo

[Rubman]

I don't think it sucks at all. These two put money, time, and dedication into their brainchild for four years. But I'd just prefer it if we all didn't start clapping our hands like this was some kind of honorable, must-be-done, we-weren't-just-paid-money-to-sell-our-website-to-some-(most likely)foreign-company-who-gives-zero-fucks-about-our-deep-and-intimate-culture situation. It is what it is, and I wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors.