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Building a bobber

A

Anti-Hero

ipso facto
Joined
May 21, 2005
Location
Commiefornia
Moto(s)
76 Ironhead Bobber
So, I kind of think since I'm starting to get old I should begin the "what-if" planning phase of building a bobber.

I really love the old school style of flat black, minimalist looking, with whitewalls and custom tooled brown leather seat.

I know there are plenty of rolling chassis kits, frames, etc. available, but I would like to hear from someone who's actually built one. So... Have any of you fine barfers built a bobber / chopper / custom before?

If so, what should I expect during the build process in way of unaccounted for expenses, fabrication, etc.?

Here is a PERFECT example of what I'm looking for. :love :drool

3241976-hotrod3.jpg
 
i've met one barfer that build his.ping moto liam,GL with this project,is nice to just ride something that cool on a sunny day....
 
look on craigslist. there are stalled projects on there pretty regularly. i've seen many that only need the finishing touches that make it "yours" and they sell for cheap.
 
Russel Mitchell FTW!
 
I want to put a TL1000 motor in one of those :teeth
 
wazzuFreddo said:
I want to put a TL1000 motor in one of those :teeth
Click to expand...

it's been done, not that you shouldn't. it seems the chopper/bobber mixed with japanese motor/suspension idea is gaining ground
 
Anti-Hero said:
So, I kind of think since I'm starting to get old I should begin the "what-if" planning phase of building a bobber.

I really love the old school style of flat black, minimalist looking, with whitewalls and custom tooled brown leather seat.

I know there are plenty of rolling chassis kits, frames, etc. available, but I would like to hear from someone who's actually built one. So... Have any of you fine barfers built a bobber / chopper / custom before?

If so, what should I expect during the build process in way of unaccounted for expenses, fabrication, etc.?

Here is a PERFECT example of what I'm looking for. :love :drool

3241976-hotrod3.jpg
Click to expand...

They have those for about $13k, I believe, at Arlen Ness, in Dublin. I was checking them out on Saturday. You can't build your own for cheaper then that, unless you fab your own parts.
 
I'd go for one with a 600 supersport or 'Busa/ZX14 drivetrain. Might as well go all-out if you aren't going for an air-cooled twin.
 
Re: Re: Building a bobber

Sane_Man said:
They have those for about $13k, I believe, at Arlen Ness, in Dublin. I was checking them out on Saturday. You can't build your own for cheaper then that, unless you fab your own parts.
Click to expand...

13K for what? The bike pictured is from Exile bikes, built by Russel Mitchell. It's selling for ~50G's.

Or are you just talking about chassis?
 
I was at the custom bike exhibit (or what ever it is called) in San Mateo a number of months ago. There was a good collection of bobbers there and a number for sale. One i particularly liked sold for well under 20K. Think I still have the brochure around somewhere. I know the pic is in my puter at home. Most of course had S&S motors (can't see a sport bike motor in one as a general rule), open belt primary drives, gators, fenderless front etc.

Anyway, the point is, that one can pick up a decent bobber for under 20K and it would probably cost at least a good chunk of that to build one. On the other hand it's not the same thing. A good analogy came to mind, but decided it is better not to post it. Buying a bobber instead of building it is missing a good part of what the bobber is all about IMHO.
 
ob1ventura said:

Buying a bobber instead of building it is missing a good part of what the bobber is all about IMHO.
Click to expand...

Agreed x100!!! I want to build one, but the style I want is like the pic. :)
 
If you were at the last "Dirtbag Chopper Challenge" there were many cool customs

(( Ground rules for the event A)$1,000.00 price cap on bike + materials B) No harleys!

there were some pretty sweet bikes ... my favorite being a chopper based on a Ducati Diana 250 motor

- - - I am not sure it is going to happen this year , I heard one of the event organizers is in England at the moment.

--Simon
 
I built a nice Chopper Sportster.. from the frame up.. The theme was Diamonds..

Just keep this saying in mind when you come across the hundreds of problems..
And you will come across problems..

"Cut to fit.. paint to match"
 
Anti-Hero said:
Agreed x100!!! I want to build one, but the style I want is like the pic. :)
Click to expand...

dude, it was good meeting you at the KS party.

you definitely don't need to spend a lot of cash to make yourself a bobber...here is an example of one, from a guy that is up in seattle...he put it together himself, and it was pretty damn cool....

saw it a couple years ago at the seattle motorcycle show.

3242686-dsc03997__2_.jpg
 
another one...ammo box rocks, and the oly catch can....:laughing

he used piston rods as bar risers.

3242689-dsc03998__2_.jpg
 
glf said:
dude, it was good meeting you at the KS party.

you definitely don't need to spend a lot of cash to make yourself a bobber...here is an example of one, from a guy that is up in seattle...he put it together himself, and it was pretty damn cool....

saw it a couple years ago at the seattle motorcycle show.

3242686-dsc03997__2_.jpg
Click to expand...

best kickstand EVAR!!
 
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