An Example:

   For this example were going to do a Harley Davidson PC. To stay with the whole "Bad Boy Biker" thing we should choose a Black or silver Motherboard. For a video card the only real choices right now (Sadly) is red for the most part. ATI and the Radeon rule the roost...but I think there is a blue one out there. Hmmm...Black and Blue...could be a little theme within a theme there.

   After I make my component choices I start my CAD sketches ( or pencil doodles ). Lots of cool Iconoclastic images associated with bikes. I see a round Reservoir with round polished Alum covers in the shape of a motorcycle sprocket....off to the web looking for images of a sprocket...found a good one and I think it would work...be cool as fan grill covers too. Nobody is marketing any though...I can cut my own...or find a real one that would work. MORE RESEARCH. While I am surfing I come across some cool images that might be cool as a case wrap...and I could include a little slogan "Black and Blue". Now were cooking.

   I am thinking about water cooling and some UV action in blue to compliment the Black and Blue theme. By now that is the name of this rig...I mean ride. I could back the sprocket over the reservoir with Plex so you can see the UV fluid through the openings. Also did a little research on chrome plating...too pricey...time to bust out the polishing compound and polish some Aluminum. While I am at it I see a front facing blowhole up top shaped like a motor cycle headlight. I price some head lights...doable...but I asked a friend about cutting chrome plated metal and he said it would flake off. The more I think about it the less I like it...where does it stop? Wind screen? Turn signals? Exhaust pipes? I decide to pass...except on the exhaust pipes...

   I am talking the box over with the wife and she says a magic word. "Black Leather". OK two words. Hmmm...fringe....By now I am drawing. I have a firm set of rules like Black and silver, water cooled, blue lights etc. and some less firm items like fringe and or Black leather, a Black and Blue logo case window, maybe a heat pipe style radiator to look like exhaust pipes etc..

   Before I cut or buy ANYTHING I am going to source everything, make some FIRM choices about the major subsections like case, cooling, components, lights etc.and I am ALWAYS thinking about my wire routes...then it's time to kick start that baby.

To Recap:

• Have a clear picture of what your trying to achieve.
• RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH.
• Work out as many of the details as you can BEFORE you bust out the Dremel/chainsaw/blowtorch.
• Measure EVERYTHING.
• Build for yourself...not your buddies. This doesn't mean not to ask for help or opinions...just take them with a dab of Artic Silver.
• Perfection is a scantily clad woman that thinks your "cute" not a computer case.