Topic: How About This Bobber?

[bill440cars]

           Here's a pretty clean Bobber.

                


           


           


           

[KB02]

Those pipes are very reminiscent of Proteal's 450 project.

Can't say that I like the color, but the work is great.

[bill440cars]

Those pipes are very reminiscent of Proteal's 450 project.

Can't say that I like the color, but the work is great.

          Yeah, I'm not much on the color myself either. The bike is kinda tame to me but, I thought it had some interesting features though. Check that rear suspension out. And it does have a nostalgic look.

                                                             Later on, Bill

[ProTeal55]

I dig the pipes 

[merc2dogs]

it needs a pair of fork boots to realy complete the look though.

ken.

[bill440cars]

          To me, it's got a pretty nostalgic look but, I'd have to change to color and I'd strip those pipes and do a semi flat high temp paint job or maybe ceramic coat them. Some folks like the wrap job but, not my style. Just my own thoughts on it.

         merc2dogs,
                    I think you're right a set of fork boot should be there. That would be a "period" thing.

                                                      Later on, Bill

[Uncle Ernie]

I don't get the frame.  Can someone explain what's going on?  Re the bike frame, thank you.

[mrbreeze]

The exhaust is slick looking but looks like it may catch your ass on fire!!!! Agree with the crap color and gaitors would look good too!!!! I am dead set against fork ears that cover the fork tubes after the rust I seen on mine...never again with stock ears. And oh yeah......WTF IS up with that frame??

[bill440cars]

          I can only tell it as I see it, at this point. It looks like that there is a spring (maybe a leaf spring) that is mounted at the base of the frame, also at the frame just below the seat and again on the upper part of the modified swing arm and providing spring action for rear suspension. If you can understand my attempt to explain what I think, look closely at his picture and see if you all can tell more about it. In the meantime, I'll try to see if I can find out more about it.  Later on, Bill

           

[bill440cars]

I am dead set against fork ears that cover the fork tubes after the rust I seen on mine...never again with stock ears.

          How about a headlight mount that would bolt to the main tripletree, similar to the old Indian Chiefs, leaving the upper part of the tubes uncovered?

                                                        Later on, Bill

[merc2dogs]

          I can only tell it as I see it, at this point. It looks like that there is a spring (maybe a leaf spring) that is mounted at the base of the frame, also at the frame just below the seat and again on the upper part of the modified swing arm and providing spring action for rear suspension. If you can understand my attempt to explain what I think, look closely at his picture and see if you all can tell more about it. In the meantime, I'll try to see if I can find out more about it.  Later on, Bill

  That's what I see, I think it was an old Indian that had the same basic suspension front and rear only with the springs horizontal sticking out over the tires

  neat and clean setup, but unless he has some friction shocks set up he's going to pogo with every bump.
 not sure what sort of limit it has, but it has to be pretty short, otherwise you'll be getting tthumped on the tailbone every bump.

 Of course if it just sits on carpet all the time, anything's good


Ken.

[bill440cars]

           Ken,
              The very old Indians did have that type of suspension on the front and the rear. I don't seem to be able to find any pictures right now, but I'll keep looking. The rear suspension that I'm thinking about, had a spring setup on each side of the bike and behind the seat. Alot of the Indians had the leaf spring suspension on the front. It's easy to find pictures of the front but, not the back. Go Figure.

           

[merc2dogs]

Yeah! that's the one I'm thinking off, frame at first glance they looked like luggage racks front and rear.
 Just did a search, nd see what you mean about the front ends being everywhere!

 This is the only one I can find that I think is it

http://www.cycletownusa.com/oldphoto2.jpg

Ken.

[bill440cars]

        Yeah Ken,

                That's the type that I was talking about. I'll be back, gonna make a last ditch effort to find one myself. I've seen them before, don't know why I can't find one now?

                                                                Bill

[bill440cars]

            Hey Ken, Here's a couple of shots and a link to where I got them from.   Bill


               


               



                     http://www.photos.indianmotorbikes.com/

[merc2dogs]

That's the stuff!
 Love those old indians, very unique styling.

 Very nice site too!

Thanks!

Ken.

[bill440cars]

That's the stuff!
 Love those old indians, very unique styling.

 Very nice site too!

Thanks!

Ken.

          My pleasure Ken. Always enjoy seeing, researching and talking about the old original Indians. I was practically born on one and yet, to this very day, have never been able to own one. But, I get a charge out of them just the same.

                                                           Later on, Bill

[martini]

That Indian is a thing of beauty! Wow, I'm in love.

[merc2dogs]

stumbled onto a very clear pic of the suspension

http://home.ama-cycle.org/membersonly/museum/images/b11/Suspension_600.jpg

simple design, makes you wonder how it realy rode, if they felt it still needed seat suspension.

 and this is just plain neat!

http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=12

ken.

[bill440cars]

          Hey merc,

                      That's exactly the type I was thinking about.
   
               

                       
                       If this works, I just posted the picture you found.   

[merc2dogs]

 Been thinking of a unique way to lower the wifes bike, Have a set of shocks I shortened for her that do the job, but wanted something one of a kind, and it doesn't realy look like it would be too hard to make something like that for her bike.
 Wish I could find a clearer image of the Bobbers suspension.


  Not certain, but looking at the indian rear suspension, it almost seems as though it would have a progressive suspension, only two leaves wrap around the loop to support a load, and there's clearance above the bracket, so it appears that a light load would be on the two leaves, and a heavier load would move up to the main spring pack much the same as the progressive spring today.

Ken

[roadkill savior]

It looks like the rear suspension on the "Lakewood Special" bike that Hank Young built a few years back. He used model A leaf springs and cut them in half, if I remember right.

[bill440cars]

It looks like the rear suspension on the "Lakewood Special" bike that Hank Young built a few years back. He used model A leaf springs and cut them in half, if I remember right.

       Now there's a uniquely different version of what we've been discussing! What do you think about that one Ken? Something like that might be the answer to those of us who'd consider a chopper or bobber style, if it weren't for the fact that we need some give in the rear area of the bike.

                                                       Later on, Bill  

[roadkill savior]

If any vertebrate challenged rider    is considering a chopper or bobber frame, you should check out what Red and Kate up at cycle one have created.

http://www.cycleonemanufacturing.com/hondacustommotorcycleframes.html

The only company yet that makes a softail frame for the SOHC's. They are good people too.

[merc2dogs]

 that looks like a nice setup too, I'd ride it.

 My last real custom was a 67 bonnie, 11 over springer, hardtail, Sat so low, sitting at a light my knees were hihjer than my hips.
 Loved the bike, but it was so low that you couldn't get in position to absorb bumps, didn't take too long for your back to jump off and hitch-hike home.

 Ken.