Does anyone have any pics of motorcycles that have been turned into bobbers? I want to build one for cheap, but don't really know what's the best kind of bike to use. Any ideas would be appreciated I know a guy that has one that's flat black with red scallops. It has spoked wheels with red powdercoated rings and the back tire is about a 3 finger whitewall. Pretty cool looking, so that's kinda how I'd like to do it. Thanks,
yamaha xs650 is the holy grail of cheap chopper bobber material. i'm in the middle of building one now. i'm splurging a bit on some stuff but will probably still come in well under 2 grand and that includes the 850 i paid for the nice 6k bike to start with. icould have cut back on a few things and kept it between 1000-1500 easy. i'm at work and pics are at home on my computer so i'll have to post those later...ken....
Do a search for "bobbers'. There's been a ton of posts on 'em. And go here. http://www.650motorcycles.com
This HAMB post by Burndup over a year ago inspired me to jump on the bandwagon and do an XS650 (well, this post plus $2+/gallon gas prices)... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14899&page=1&highlight=xs650 Here's a recent Bobber post with all types of bikes... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45078&page=1&pp=20 My XS650 was $250. Sold the tank, luggage rack, and side covers for $150 on Ebay. Bought other parts cheap at the swap. I should be well under 1k when done, maybe even half that depending on the bill at the powdercoater's. It won't be a show bike, but it shouldn't be too embarassing to ride. I'll try to post a before and during shot. Hope this helps. ~ Rob
That Pan really is something.The bike screams Hot Rod... Tires are available here : http://www.coker.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=18202&cat=277&page=1 And more pics of the bike are here : http://www.vintagesteelcustoms.com/103_panhead.htm
it says for display only... will i kill myself driving on that tire? because well.. i figure its probably worth it.
I'd go with luckystiff above - hard to beat the 650's. OR you CAN do a sportster pretty cheap, that's what I did. PM me if you want some photos -
it's on ebay right now with a buy it now of 32,000. fuck i don't have that kinda money in everything i currently own. cool i guess but i'm not that impressed. now that i'm home lets see if we can get some pics up...ken....
I have those tires on the front of my roadster and they work just fine under 75 MPH, but anything over that on a grooved highway you are taking your life into your own hands, so I couldnt imagine that thing being on the back of a bike... that tire it was made for the front of tractors until some guys started using them on lakes cars. now the repops are much better made than the old ones, but to make this long story short it just aint designed for a bike.
it looks stock but has fork covers.. that pic is from Wes at Fouraces booth at a ratfink show.. He sells them.. as a matter of fact he just ordered some for me!
Does he have a website? Also were do you get the bolt-on ridgid frame and can these be welded or is there a welded version? Sorry about the hijack, here is a pic for the post.
That gold Sporty looked better when Bill first finished it... Did it sell the second time around on ebay? CadGuy - Talk to Truth at Choppahead for Triumph stuff.
Nope, it didn't make the reserve. Shame, because that is one fine looking bike. Here's my all-time favorite two wheeler - the little Bob Aquistapase tracker-style Triumph that rode atop Roth's 'Mega Cycle' show truck. Anybody got additional pics of this bike? http://www.mrgasser.com/megacycle.htm
Here ya go Senor Zenor: That's Aquistapace standing next to it. He apparently traded it to Roth for Ed's '66 XLCH. It was "restored" in the late '70s by Roth's son Darryl who had Pete Santini paint it blue with yellow/ orange/ pink graphics. -Brian
Another show Triumph...this one is a '52 built by Larry Howard, as featured in Hot Rod June '62. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same bike, but I can't prove it. It is VERY similar to the Megacycle Triumph...but then again I'm sure there were several similar show Triumphs in the early '60s. Anybody got a finned Webco timing cover like this?
DAG GONE you guys!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't need another hobby! I thought I had the bike stuff out of my blood when I got rid of the last one! Yam 650's will soon be at Barrett's new bike division.... What is a bobber- what are you bobbing, the back end? A chopper just has a long rake, right? I've read through most of this thread and the related links and I really don't get it. Mind you, I have no clue about this.......as I see many other newbies posting the same thing about these... Man, I hate you guys! EDIT: just like the traditional hotrods, the reason I didn't get into bikes or street rods is because they didn't really appeal to me, let alone the cost. Now you guys come along and show that it can be done on the cheap....famous last words. I watch some of these bike shows and rarely do I see something that I genuinely like. Now, I come here and look at this dumb thread and drool. Crap!
What is a bobber- what are you bobbing, the back end? A chopper just has a long rake, right? My definition of a bobber wouldn't include most of the bikes posted here. I'd say a bobber was a stock bike with everything un-necessary removed or cut off...like cutting off the back of the rear fender "bobbing". Stock frame, stock geometry and all. A chopper would be a bike with a modified (chopped) frame. Using parts from other bikes and the aftermarket. Customised beyond just removing do-dads. Chopper:
The Jalopy Journal
