Topic: 1978 bobber - early progress

[TheJawsOfDeath]

I picked up my '78 750 the middle of last summer.  Always wanted one of these, was upgrading from a Kawi KZ440.

I got it as a full on touring machine.  Have to admit it was cool having that fairing...but it wrecked the handling with all that weight over the front axle...it had to go along with the back rest, luggage rack, and tow bar!

Last picture of my little Kawasaki with the big, mean, HONDA.

Later that day...all the extra crap was off but had no headlight...rode it anyway.


got a headlight.

and notice the oil pressure gauge duct taped to the handlebar.  classy right? it was mounted to the side of the windjammer fairing, hadnt come up with another place for it yet.

Decided it was going to get low and stripped down. so I pulled off the highway bars, lowered it a couple inches front and rear, put some black progressive shocks on the back, and installed a MAC 4-1 exhaust. the old crap was rotted out. got new side covers, new tires, and a new chain and sprockets. Also "fabricated" a mount for the oil pressure gauge out of the old license plate for my kawasaki 440...its temporary but it does add to the rat rod look of the bike.

I like the placement of the gauge


and earlier today I did this: removed the plastic fender liner, re mounted my now slightly cut up stock fender, installed new tail light, and made a solo seat.  made the seat out of a piece of stainless steel shelving, foam from a couch someone was throwing away, and covered with a t shirt....i have a real solo seat coming, just made this to get me by till it arrives. might go with a different fender eventually.



next on the list: remove front fender. paint forks black. install gas tank from a '75 as soon as I finish refinishing it. new grips. get rear even lower with struts.  Its pretty ratty right now but that is just "stage one" 'till I get it really close to how I want it (and have more money).  After that it's going to get a weld on hardtail from tigman, a nice paint job, black rims with polished spokes, and EVENTUALLY I'm going to build a bigger engine for it.

[mlinder]

Nice, yer on yer way. Speaking of KZ440's and bobbers, you see the little 440 bobber I'm making over in 'other bikes' section?

I think you would be safe cutting off the frame behind
the shock mounts, but then you'd need a different way to mount your rear fender.
By the way, if you hadn't planned on it already, there's a brace under the front fender that tires the front forks together, and holds on the front fender. You can grind off those rivets, pull out the brace, and reaatach it. Paint it black or something. Can barely see it, looks ok when yo ucan, and keeps the front end MUCH more stable and predictable.

[The_Crippler]

Looking forward to seeing what solo seat you got and how you're mounting it.

[TheJawsOfDeath]

I'm planning on chopping the rear of the frame, but waiting until I find the perfect fender.  thanks for the tip on the fork brace, didnt even know it was there! I'll definitely keep it there...i like decent handling... the only thing im concerned about at this point is how high the solo seat is going to be (the real one thats coming in the mail soon).  certainly not as low as this thing that I made, its like less than an inch thick.  I really like sitting this low...maybe I can cut the frame some more and kind of do a drop seat mod.

[The_Crippler]

I'm planning on chopping the rear of the frame, but waiting until I find the perfect fender. 

I won't be chopping the rear of mine - leaving it a stock softail both makes it easier to pass PA inspection and makes it easier on the ol' tookus on Pittsburgh streets.  I still want a solo seat, which means that I, also, need to find a good fender.

[kerryb]

Who is "Tigman"?  I'm looking for a weld-on hardtail for a '78k, and I would like another option besides the TC bros. offering. 

[sauce]

Who is "Tigman"?  I'm looking for a weld-on hardtail for a '78k, and I would like another option besides the TC bros. offering. 

http://www.tanksbytigman.com/

[TheJawsOfDeath]

I removed the front fender.  Small change looks a lot different...to me at least.

Starting to look really long and low

hell yeah