Well, before we continue with this article, maybe you should know what is a Bobber Motorcycle?
I am sure many young motorcyclists will not be familiar with this term. But our parents or older classic riders will know about Bobbers.
Well, in simple language, a bobber is a classic, custom-built motorcycle that is customized and styled according to the owner’s choice or taste. Most Bobber Motorcycles have unnecessary parts removed. Or you can say that the motorcycle has been “bobbed.” A Bobber is a motorcycle that isn’t manufactured in some factory or company but is built in the garage behind your house or in a local mechanic shop.
Bobber and Chopper Difference
Many people who don’t really know about Bobbers, often confuse them with Choppers. But I can tell that Bobbers are totally different from Choppers. Some people think their Chopper is a Bobber. Well, if you know the difference between these two and hear people saying that don’t worry about it. After all, you don’t need to win a discussion.
But before going any further, maybe I should tell you the basic difference between them. Bobbers are exactly stock bikes with excess parts removed to make it lighter and a more minimalist ride for the biker. However, Choppers are also custom-built motorcycles that appear to be stretched out. You can easily recognize Choppers by its long front end and radically modified steering angles. For example, Harley Davidsons.
I hope you now know the difference between these two. So, let’s not waste any more time and take a look at a few things in the making of a Bobber Motorcycle.
Making a Bobber Motorcycle
Building a Bobber motorcycle is no big deal. It all depends on your taste. Plus, you won’t need to spend a huge amount of money to build a bobber. All you have to do is to remove the unnecessary parts and components from your motorcycle to make it lighter and give it a stylish look. You can easily detach those parts without interrupting the performance and functions. Just make sure you wear the full protective riding gear like a safety helmet, motorcycle jacket, gloves, and boots when you go for a ride.
In creating a retro bobber motorcycle, you need a few specific modifications on certain parts for the perfect customization. Now, we will discuss those modification parts below:
Fenders
Most retro motorcycles have shortened fenders. To make it in a bobber-style, either you can shorten the original fenders or purchase new ones. You can find plenty of bobber style fenders available on the market. Just make sure, you choose the right one. But if you are going to make adjustments to the original fenders, then it only requires simple engineering with the help of a few tools. In that way, you can keep the originality of your motorcycle while building it into a bobber.
Personally, I think it would be way cooler to keep the original fenders and adjust them accordingly.
Seats
Well, changing the seat is very common in the process of making a bobber motorcycle. But it all depends upon you. You can purchase traditional seats like board track racers that were seen in the early 1900s. For the most part, people purchase a new, single bobber-style seat from the online market, instead of modifying the existing one.
You can do anything you want, but make sure the style doesn’t compromise your comfort. Otherwise, there will be no point in creating a bobber by reducing weight if you can’t sit comfortably on it.
Exhaust
Modifying the exhaust system is a trademark of a bobber motorcycle to increase the sound of the motorcycle. It is a unique feature to remove the muffler to modify your retro motorcycle into a bobber. However, it creates sound pollution, which causes problems for other people. It is even illegal in many countries.
Lights
Using custom-built lights when creating a bobber motorcycle is normal. There are many online sites and shops that provide custom lights for bobber motorcycles that you can add to your motorcycle for a more stylish look. But, remember not to use too many lights on your motorcycle; otherwise, it may discharge the battery quickly.
Color
Color plays a minor role in creating a bobber motorcycle. It is entirely up to you. If you are not planning to sell your motorcycle, then you can go ahead and customize the color; otherwise, you can keep the existing color. If you have no experience painting or spraying, don’t worry. You can go to any custom shop or painting facility. They will do a fine job.
Conclusion:
Modifying a stock motorcycle into a bobber motorcycle requires serious skills. But if you have any doubt about your ability, you must seek professional advice.
Leave a Reply