Bobtail Fender Help
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Stage II
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
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Bobtail Fender Help
I am a newbie to the Harley world and am trying to understand the lingo. 
Does Bobtail Fender refer to a fender that you can add to any Harley model or is it an actual Harley model itself? Thanks!!
Does Bobtail Fender refer to a fender that you can add to any Harley model or is it an actual Harley model itself? Thanks!!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 851
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
thats a bobtail fender ^^
it's a style that comes on a few different models.. xbones, night trains etc.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 907
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From: Ontario
Most model line (Dyna, Softail, Sportster) have a Bobtail fender on one of their models or you can buy one from HD and bolt it on if you like that one. Harley parts with in model lines are failry interchangeable.
Bobtail in general just refers to a 'Bobbed' or 'Chopped' rear fender that isn't full length.
Bobtail in general just refers to a 'Bobbed' or 'Chopped' rear fender that isn't full length.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
The term started back in the 30's n 40's when guy's would strip off all unessesary parts and build "bobbers" the would cut away the front part of a rear fender to shorten it and then rotate it in the frame to create a "duck tail" and expose some of the tire.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
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From: Ft polk, LA
You check this out for what a quick def. of what a bobber is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobber_(motorcycle)
A "Bobtail" is a specific style of bobber fender... While not all bobbers have this style of fender.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobber_(motorcycle)
A "Bobtail" is a specific style of bobber fender... While not all bobbers have this style of fender.
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Road Captain
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
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From: Columbus, OH
Oh yea, the only way to go.
my wife is ordering a bobtail for her Sporty 1200....
depends on what look you want. if you are old school, then full fenders like the Deluxe or Fatboy have would be your choice. the bobtail has a more aggressive look from the chopper era of the 60's and 70's, and it looks especially good with 200mm or wider rear tires...
my wife is ordering a bobtail for her Sporty 1200....
depends on what look you want. if you are old school, then full fenders like the Deluxe or Fatboy have would be your choice. the bobtail has a more aggressive look from the chopper era of the 60's and 70's, and it looks especially good with 200mm or wider rear tires...
Last edited by Z06_Pilot; May 20, 2009 at 07:06 AM.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Not to stray to far off the subject but since it has been properly addressed....
I get a chuckle out of all the "Bobbers" I see for sale all over the place. The term Bobber has been taken to the point of removing the front fender off some old beater metric makes it a bobber?
A set of drag bars on some turd *** Goldwing with an oil leak and slippin' clutch suddenly make it a high dollar Bobber as well?
The term is thrown around so loosely at this point that the definition of Bobber is lost in the mud as now it seems a guy can get away with calling anything a Bobber.
I like the "Bobbed" fender on the Harleys. I have never called mine a Bobber per say though....
Maybe I should? It might be worth more!!
A few examples of Bobbers for sale on Flea Bay: This one is funny.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...Q5fmotorcycles
Now heres one thayt by all rights is an "Anti-Bobber" as the stock bobtail fender was removed and replaced with a full length tail dragger...Bobber?? Not. Nice? Yup!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...Q5fmotorcycles
Heres a head scratcher....I would love to have this bike. Bobber? Nope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...Q5fmotorcycles
Rant over....
My dad explained to me back in the day that guys were buying old surplus army Harleys and chopping the fenders and or removing them all together along with personalizing em. Hence the term "Bobbed" fender. Like a Chick getting her hair whacked off is a "Bobbed cut".
Anyone remember John Bobbit? My gawd the irony!!!
I get a chuckle out of all the "Bobbers" I see for sale all over the place. The term Bobber has been taken to the point of removing the front fender off some old beater metric makes it a bobber?
A set of drag bars on some turd *** Goldwing with an oil leak and slippin' clutch suddenly make it a high dollar Bobber as well?
The term is thrown around so loosely at this point that the definition of Bobber is lost in the mud as now it seems a guy can get away with calling anything a Bobber.
I like the "Bobbed" fender on the Harleys. I have never called mine a Bobber per say though....
Maybe I should? It might be worth more!!
A few examples of Bobbers for sale on Flea Bay: This one is funny.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...Q5fmotorcycles
Now heres one thayt by all rights is an "Anti-Bobber" as the stock bobtail fender was removed and replaced with a full length tail dragger...Bobber?? Not. Nice? Yup!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...Q5fmotorcycles
Heres a head scratcher....I would love to have this bike. Bobber? Nope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custo...Q5fmotorcycles
Rant over....
My dad explained to me back in the day that guys were buying old surplus army Harleys and chopping the fenders and or removing them all together along with personalizing em. Hence the term "Bobbed" fender. Like a Chick getting her hair whacked off is a "Bobbed cut".
Anyone remember John Bobbit? My gawd the irony!!!
