Topic: Bobber help pic inside

[black1.8t]

Hello guys, Im in, search of a little help on my project, well my 74 cb750 had every intention of being a cafe' style honda , but now Im really sold on the simplicity of the old school  bobber style, i.e.....short fenders solo spring seat, nice wide beach bars, just a real simple cruiser , now that I find myself heading down that path, im searching for a little guidance from any one who has ventured down the same path.......some pics specs, ideas,....... Opinions, starting points? I have the 16inch rim ready, I was thinking maybe a smaller rim for the front, with a tire just as wide as the back maybe?? well its a thought....here is the bike in its current state..........http://www.pbase.com/black98/image/55829826   Pay no attention to the HD LOL Thanks in advance for any help..........NOTCH

[Vatch]

Sounds like fun notch.  Something to keep in mind is one of the main goals with old bobbers was to drop weight.    Legend has it US GI's came back from Europe after WW II and were dissatisfied with American bike performance and handling after riding the European bikes. Old American bikes were heavy, so anything that wasn't necessary to get the bike down the road got tossed or cut (e.g. turn signals, tach, front fender, front brakes ).

[Bob Wessner]

Legend has it US GI's came back from Europe after WW II and were dissatisfied with American bike performance and handling after riding the European bikes. Old American bikes were heavy, so anything that wasn't necessary to get the bike down the road got tossed or cut

Not long ago I recall watching a segment on either the History Channel or Discovery on motorcycles where this came up. It seems many an Indian lost their art deco fenders to this form of modification. What a shame, from a restorers point of view anyway. 

[dusterdude]

yep,may of them indian fenders were turned into hondas.

[bill440cars]

Sounds like fun notch.  Something to keep in mind is one of the main goals with old bobbers was to drop weight.    Legend has it US GI's came back from Europe after WW II and were dissatisfied with American bike performance and handling after riding the European bikes. Old American bikes were heavy, so anything that wasn't necessary to get the bike down the road got tossed or cut (e.g. turn signals, tach, front fender, front brakes ).

  Vatch,
          This is the reason, that I'd always heard, that the "Bobbers" came about. I had never heard that other version. Glad to know that I wasn't the only one with that theory. Later on, Bill

[ohiocaferacer]

Notch,

Heres a pic of my 1972 CB500/4.....lowered about 3" in the front and rear. Havent done much work on it in awhile.....but there are a ton of pics and info at my website.

http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/102005-1-150.jpg

Later,
Greg

[ProTeal55]

Hey Man ,

Check out my scoot in my gallery , link is below.
It is kinda a hybrid cafe / bobber project, even though  GEETO67 doesn't think so.
At first I was going solid cafe style, but my American V-Twin background, and not wanting to spend a boatload of cash on this project lead me to go with the "Bobber" style.

[dusterdude]

Hey Man ,

Check out my scoot in my gallery , link is below.
It is kinda a hyrid cafe / bobber project, even thought GEETO67 desn't think so.
Keep us posted on your progress....

damn teal.

[Vatch]

Check out my scoot in my gallery , link is below.
It is kinda a hybrid cafe / bobber

Yup, "Cafe/Retro/Bobber/Chopper/Touring/Flat Tracker/Streetfighter " sums it up. 

[cb(r)]

notch, 
I am not a big fan of 4 cylinder bikes with rear squish for a bobber I like the ridged twins.  I know that triumph and yamaha xs riders like to make bobbers out of their bikes so here is a couple of websites that have a few bobber pics.  I just want to say i am not trying to discourage you from building a cb bobber.  I want you to build one and I really wish you the best on your build. 
hopefully these sites give you some creative ideas.
<triumphrat.net> 
<650rider.com>

[GroovieGhoulie]

anything that wasn't necessary to get the bike down the road got tossed or cut (e.g. turn signals, tach, front fender, front brakes ).

I'd ditch the speedo before the tach.  And ditch the front brakes???  Were they DAFT?

[Bob Wessner]

And ditch the front brakes???  Were they DAFT?

No kidding, there goes perhaps 60-70% of your braking. 

[dusterdude]

but you must remember those bikes would barely do 60 mph

[Geeto67]

Hey Man ,

Check out my scoot in my gallery , link is below.
It is kinda a hybrid cafe / bobber project, even though  GEETO67 doesn't think so.
At first I was going solid cafe style, but my American V-Twin background, and not wanting to spend a boatload of cash on this project lead me to go with the "Bobber" style.

Boy I must have really hurt your feelings (you gonna cry, gonna squitr some?) ...because your bike really needs a label so bad you need to keep misusing a historical term and taking jabs to boot.


Since you guys are so hell bent on lowering these bikes for looks and pretty much nothing else, I suggest you read up on Tony Foale's book on motorcycle suspensions. That way in your quest for slammed to the ground you don't end up with a dangerous motorcycle.

The basis of any project is do your homework and figure out what kind of riding you are going to do with the bike. If you are building a fairground crusier then you can make sacrifices in the name of style, etc... Also don't forget to check out hondachopper.com as there are some great guys and good resources over there.

[ProTeal55]

Boy I must have really hurt your feelings ...because your bike really needs a label so bad you need to keep misusing a historical term and taking jabs to boot.

Whatever you say buddy 
NOTCH----->
I would DEF. leave the front brake on your bike. I drove around without a front brake, and it was scarry to say the least. I am actually going the dual-disc route, to give me even more stopping power.
Just my 2cents on the matter...

[Geeto67]

anything that wasn't necessary to get the bike down the road got tossed or cut (e.g. turn signals, tach, front fender, front brakes ).

I'd ditch the speedo before the tach.  And ditch the front brakes???  Were they DAFT?

The reason that most would ditch the front brake is that during the era of the bobber, the predominant for mof racing was dirt and flat track. In that type of racing a front brake is never used and viewed as a hinderance. If you watch a dirt or flat track race all braking is done with the rear and they basically slide their bikes through the turns. Most of those riders were so used to using their rear brakes than few would ever miss the front brake once they took it off.

Being riders in an era of superbike braking on the street we sometimes forget how bad those old brakes really were. Most people I speak to on sohc hondas are surprised how lousy the front brake is for stoping the bike, yet when the front brake first debuted it was considered leaps and bounds ahead of then modern braking technology. Imagine trying to stop a 600lbs motorcycle with a drum brake half the size of a cb350 drum and it is mounted to the outside of the wheel hub. The rear brake was the most effective means of stopping a bike well into the 60's when drum technology started to improve.

[black1.8t]

Sorry it took so long to post, busy weekend LOL ,Thanks for the links and some advice, My Ideas are really going full steam  8)That could be dangerous.......Well first ill start off with The history lessons, thanks a bunch for alot of the info, as Im from an avid motorcycle family all the way down to my great grandfather riding flat tracker looking machines( ill be sure to post pics) Im pretty familiar with alot of the history, I just catch a little hell from the old man and my uncles about the whole honda thing LOL as the there crowd is pretty much die hard HD-guys,no big deal they just bust my balls.....any how   OHIOCAFERACER ......sweet bike im really diggin those floor boards more info would be great.......
  PROTEAL55 ......Thats a nice looking scoot as well, no matter what classification it gets....ie cafe,bobber,streetfighter, cruiser etc.......
GEETO67 ...... Thanks for the advice,  yes I want to go low, (not grass cutter low ) But I also DONT expect any performance from this scoot, It probably will never even see over 65mph , I have other toys for performance, i.e......a 9 second notchback etc....LOL, but I do understand about doing all the home work and am reasearching the links you provided , They are appreciated........  Oh yeah dont worry guys the front breaks are staying LOL, PROTEAL55 .......I believe there was a silver and black bobber looking bike in one of your posts, any more info on that one??? Oh yeah Im not sure whos bike this is I dont rember where I grabbed it from but it is really what Im looking into , If its anyone on here Nice Bike......If that pic doesnt work here is the link  http://www.pbase.com/black98/image/56829514      Thanks Again guys.................NOTCH

[black1.8t]

Cmon somone must know whos machine that is....... .....................NOTCH

[Geeto67]

Cmon somone must know whos machine that is....... .....................NOTCH

Don't know whose bike it is but off the top of my head I can tell you some of the parts that are on it:

Frame: stock 72-76 stock honda (rear cross braces removed)
Shocks: shorty shocks (maybe hd shocks)
Rear fender & taillight (HD fatboy)
Tank: 1977-78 cb750K
 Front end: stock 72-76 cb750
Bars: Superbike or flat track bend.
Pipes: old 4 into 2 chopper drag pipes.
not sure about the spring saddle but it sure looks comfy.

What is amazing about that bike is that there is very little done to it from stock and the change in look is drastic. There is probably less than $500 in parts on the bike and it does not look like any honda nor any bike from the 70s'.

[ProTeal55]

PROTEAL55 .......I believe there was a silver and black bobber looking bike in one of your posts, any more info on that one???

That Black & Silver bike pic was found over at ChopperUnderground Dot Com. I tried to source the owner, and came up empty handed. The pic is in my Gallery...

[black1.8t]

Geeto67..............Yup the Low cost thing Is great,  , This should be a fairly cheap venture compared to some of my other things LOL, Man I really dig that LOOK too, 

ProTeal55..........Thanks for that Website.........Hopefully I can get This project buttoned up by May,..............Then I can start saving My pennies for my dream 1926 HENDERSON DELUXE LOL Someday when I have an extra 20grand hanging around , Thanks for the help Guys.............If anyone else has any bobber specific Ideas or info Feel free to chime in any time........NOTCH

[Bob Wessner]

Notch,

Always had a thing for a really old, vintage bikes. Not that I will ever be able to afford one. Found this, but I'm sure you already have more than a passing familiarity with them. 

http://indian.harley.free.fr/henderson/

[marvsho17]

Sorry it took so long to post, busy weekend LOL ,Thanks for the links and some advice, My Ideas are really going full steam  8)That could be dangerous.......Well first ill start off with The history lessons, thanks a bunch for alot of the info, as Im from an avid motorcycle family all the way down to my great grandfather riding flat tracker looking machines( ill be sure to post pics) Im pretty familiar with alot of the history, I just catch a little hell from the old man and my uncles about the whole honda thing LOL as the there crowd is pretty much die hard HD-guys,no big deal they just bust my balls.....any how   OHIOCAFERACER ......sweet bike im really diggin those floor boards more info would be great.......
  PROTEAL55 ......Thats a nice looking scoot as well, no matter what classification it gets....ie cafe,bobber,streetfighter, cruiser etc.......
GEETO67 ...... Thanks for the advice,  yes I want to go low, (not grass cutter low ) But I also DONT expect any performance from this scoot, It probably will never even see over 65mph , I have other toys for performance, i.e......a 9 second notchback etc....LOL, but I do understand about doing all the home work and am reasearching the links you provided , They are appreciated........  Oh yeah dont worry guys the front breaks are staying LOL, PROTEAL55 .......I believe there was a silver and black bobber looking bike in one of your posts, any more info on that one??? Oh yeah Im not sure whos bike this is I dont rember where I grabbed it from but it is really what Im looking into , If its anyone on here Nice Bike......If that pic doesnt work here is the link  http://www.pbase.com/black98/image/56829514      Thanks Again guys.................NOTCH

I lost the auction but that bike was for sale.   See here......http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4609333007&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[ProTeal55]

That bike has a similar solo seat setup to the silver & black bike in my gallery.
For some reason, the seat looks better on the silver bike , than the Ebay bike above.
Not sure why, but it does (my opinion)

Maybe because the seat is mounted on the frame, rather than over it

[cbjunkie]

tuff looking bike...