Modifying a stock frame, versus a full custom frame, has benefits in that you typically can keep the VIN number on your frame. Changing the rear section of your frame will also will affect the stance of the motorcycle. When modifying the length of the hardtail section, or the height of the axle plates from the ground, you can alter the wheel base as well as the ride height. In this situation, to keep your lower frame tubes parallel to the ground you may have to change or modify your front end to the proper length.
A bolt-on hardtail gives the option to go back to a swing arm frame if ever so desired. This might mean shortening a front end by cutting down the length of your fork tubes and reassembling your front end, now shorter.
It could also mean raking out the neck to a steeper angle, bringing your front wheel further forward of your motorcycle. This also greatly affects handling, and is a style commonly associated with choppers. The difference between a bobber and chopper is a bobber tends to have a stock rake and shorter wheelbase versus a chopper. Regarding front ends, there are many options available. One affordable method would be to use the stock front end from your motorcycle, simplifying it by removing reflectors and perhaps installing low-profile, small turn signals or removing them completely.
Lower fork legs: Another simple and inexpensive modification to change the look could be changing the finish by painting or powder-coating the lower fork legs. Installing rubber fork gaiters are another option that is inexpensive and can really give a classic look to your front end. Springer front ends: In addition to customizing your stock hydraulic front end, motorcycle springer front ends definitely fit the bill when it comes to building a bobber. Early Harley-Davidson springers can be found but often go for a large amount of money, even when damaged or incomplete.
New reproductions are available, such as the Cannonball VL springer fork, which look like the originals but are brand new and ready to use without repair. Here is a comparison shot of some of the springers I would recommend.
Similar to the rake or wheelbase of your frame, a stock length springer is typically what will look best on a bobber, versus a longer, chopper-style springer fork.
When it comes to motorcycle wheels, spoked wheels are the go-to when building a bobber. If your project bike has spoked wheels you are in luck! There are also a variety of Harley-Davidson style complete replacement wheels available these days at reasonable prices. The alternative would be a mag wheel, which are typically cast aluminum.
You can build a cool bike with mag wheels, but they are not what existed during the early years of bobbed and custom motorcycles. Alternatives can be cleaning up your stock wheels, or even disassembling and painting or powder-coating them. Alternatively, by changing out the wheels you can choose a different rim size, greatly affecting the stance and profile of your motorcycle.
This is a classic combination that performs well. There are some tires available that have vintage-styling yet are made with modern compounds. Tires that have a vintage look typically have the same width and sidewall height. Modern tires tend to be lower-profile. They are also available in a 21" front tire which pairs nicely with a 16" or 18" rear, though that tends to be slightly more of a chopper look.
Several companies also reproduce vintage tread patterns on motorcycle tires, though some are not DOT, that is, not speed rated by the Department of Transportation.
In regards to painted rims, while there are plenty of custom motorcycles that have been built with red rims and whitewall tires, this is not something that originated from early bobbed motorcycles! It is something that was adopted from the hot rod scene into the custom motorcycle world in the last couple of decades. The old standby black or chrome works well on many bikes when it comes to the rims. Using your stock wheels also simplifies the building process for most people, in that you have to ensure you have the proper hub and sprocket spacing to keep your chain lined up properly, and ensure that the wheels will fit your axles, front end and frame properly.
With many custom bobber gas tanks now available , the most simple method of mounting a gas tank on your project is to look for one that is made specifically to fit your make and model. There are a large array of custom gas tanks for Harley Sportsters, for instance, and even more gas tanks that will bolt on with the use of Gas Tank Adapter Brackets.
However, with some simple fabrication work, such as drilling holes in the frame backbone and welding in threaded steel bungs , a gas tank can be custom-mounted with ease.
An ideal motorcycle for building a bobber will have a single, round tube for the backbone. This allows the use of many different aftermarket bobber gas tanks that are available. Some motorcycles, like the Honda CB for instance, have multiple tubes making up the backbone of the frame. In this photo of a Stock Honda CB Frame you can see the 3 pieces that make up the backbone and hinder a lot of the use of after market gas tanks.
This is why these are prime candidate for chopping up, loosing the weight and installing a hardtail section. Some other makes and models of motorcycles have a large square backbone.
Sometimes you can find a gas tank that will have enough clearance to fit, however, the square backbone can tend to detract from the overall look of the finished bike. Todd's latest Triumph Bobber project.
To get around issues like this you need to either think ahead and start with a good candidate for a bobber, or plan to do some more serious work, like highly modifying the frame. There are many custom gas tanks available these days that look great on a bobber. Another option is to find a gas tank you like from a stock motorcycle of any sort and modify the mounts so it will fit your frame.
Rear fenders are a key component of the style of your bike, as are the tires. The fender you choose to run has to be paired with the proper tires for your bike, and for the final look and design of the motorcycle. If you are reusing your stock wheels you may be simply using tires to fit these existing wheels. Once you have decided on which tires you are going to use you can move on to the fenders. As we mentioned earlier, many bobbers have no front fender at all.
However, running a small smooth or ribbed front fender can be true to the bobber style and can be quite useful especially when riding in the rain! There are many styles of rear fenders available, in multiple different widths.
Here are just a few rear fender options out of the many that can be used to make your bobber stand out from the rest. Top left: A stock vintage fender. Bottom left: A Gasbox Steel 16" fender for vintage tires. It is very important to have proper tire-to-fender clearance when mounting your fenders. If you choose to run a modern-style tire and later switch to a higher-sidewall, vintage styled tire, you may have issues with the tire simply not fitting under your fender, or rubbing as it expands at high speeds.
You can see the hose on the rear tire on Todd's Triumph bobber project to help with the spacing of the rear fender. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website.
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