When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
been going back and forth on what i want to do with my bike next and im torn looking for some input from other sporty owners. I had a pretty good idea of what i wanted to do with the bike but ive been going back and forth now. One one hand i want to make the bike a lot more comfortable for every day/ longer rides. The next mods i had planned were a saddleman step up seat, a fairing, and a Plex Audio speaker system. Lately though I've been looking at my bike especially w the bars i have and thinking damn turning it into a bobber/chopper would look badass. I ride the bike every day to work (very short commute), a couple days a week ride 10-20 miles for a meeting, ride around on the weekend for fun, and the occasional 50 mile ride to carpenteria to eat at my godmothers restaurant. I know none of these are really long rides but the seat on this sportster is so uncomfortable even on super short rides. Thats what has me not sure about making it into a bobber i dont want it to be even less comfortable riding. My buddy made a good point last night cause he pulled up with his new 18" apes and i was like jesus arent those uncomfortable. And he was saying if it's on your bike you get used to it. And i was telling him about how im going back and forth and he told me dont let thinking its going to be uncomfortable stop you from doing what you want because if you like your bike you're gonna ride it period.
So basically just looking for some pros and cons i guess on making a sporty into a bobber mainly like the solo spring seat and removing things like the fenders/turn signals, maybe get a coffin tank (i really dont know what else makes it a bobber im new to the whole motorcycle world)
Half-*** attempts at a bobber don't look right to me, and to do it properly requires chopping the rear. That's one con - you can't go back after cutting the fender and rear arms.
Half-*** attempts at a bobber don't look right to me, and to do it properly requires chopping the rear. That's one con - you can't go back after cutting the fender and rear arms.
He said it all. A true bobber is a hardtail stripped of all useless stuff. Ditch the turn signals, fenders, mirrors? Better check your State's Motorcycle Requirements with the Motor Vehicle Code. Otherwise you will NOT get it registered.
Spend $17 and install a flat or clubman handlebar, for starters.
I don't know what the heck is going on in the back of that thing, but installing actual rear suspension would also be an important step. Rear suspension ride-height changes are normally measured in millimeters, but it looks like the rear end of that thing needs to come up about a half a foot or so.
Spend $17 and install a flat or clubman handlebar, for starters.
I don't know what the heck is going on in the back of that thing, but installing actual rear suspension would also be an important step. Rear suspension ride-height changes are normally measured in millimeters, but it looks like the rear end of that thing needs to come up about a half a foot or so.
A 17" front wheel would also be critical.
I mean...damn...
holy crap what bitch the **** is your problem dont comment if you're just gonna be a douche bag
I have a similar mindset as you, I love both the chopper and bobber looks. I've entertained the ideas of a full bob, a raked out chopper and a mini bagger for touring comfort. a full bob would be a "no turning back" point as you would have to cut the rear struts. If you have any need to sell in the future, this would hurt resale value ( not that sporties have great resale value in the first place). If you want to get crazy with the cheese wiz check out chopper supply for a chopper look or TC Bros for a full rigid frame kit and some great springer front ends. Solo spring seats require a lot more work to remove if you want to swap seats on the fly for more comfort on longer rides
For me, I bought a mustang wide tripper and some throw overs for the longer runs and just do what i like, what I can afford, and mods that I can feasibly perform myself - resale value be damned. bobber is out until i get the old lady on her own bike. when im hoppin around town, i put on the better looking less comfortable seat and ditch the saddle bags for a more chopper-ish look
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Bobber pros vs cons
