NYG...you sorta hit the nail on the head re the custom couch. As with anything being built on a custom basis, problems can occur. The Dying Guy issues, as you probably gathered from reading the thread, involved a dealer that was having business problems, so there can be a story just like a salesperson quitting or dropping the ball. Sometimes an engine builder can get behind. Watch some of the reality car builder shows on Velocity and it almost looks like the entire custom car industry is a semi-controlled explosion.
That being said, I see comparatively few issues erupt with the different mfgs, and the problems that do occur do end up here in one form or another. sometimes it's just waiting on one element...look at big ol GM waiting for someone to build some ignition switches that don't go boom in the night.
When you're talking about rollers being built by the mfg (Kirkham) or dealers (CSX)...just using those two as distinct examples...much of it depends on the customers as much as the builder. I've mediated and arbitrated enough disputes (AAA) when hot rod builds go south to say it's like building a home...every little change a customer wants to make can throw a whole damn build off, but they don't quite understand it since they're not wearing the builder's shoes.
When it's a custom roller build, patience, detailed build specs and measured involvement by both parties are the keys. In my case, I wrote my specs with a Sharpie on the bare raw arruminum with Davey and Tom...had to go to Provo a few times for ass fittings (literally)...and they stayed on my ass to make sure I made decisions when they needed to be made and in a clear manner. In my case, it also depended on when shipments from Poland were scheduled...I was lucky enough to jump on a shipment list due in a few months. Same thing with Boghosian, my engine builder less than 10 miles away. That old man made me run to keep up with him (and I'm normally the guy pushing others)...make up my mind on what I want on the top end but understand that he reserved the right to tell me I was a stupid kid (50 at the time compared to his 70s) and that he'd make the decision for me.
Then again, I've been waiting for 9 months for a custom watch band (old WWII ammo pouch leather).
