Bobber Pics!!

FloridaSteve · 09-30-2007, 06:40 PM

There was a little debate over the historical differences between Cafe bikes and "Bobbers" over in the cafe racer picture thread. Someone suggested a Bobber only thread so here it is.... I'll get it started with my friend Brians beautiful Indian.. Oh and for the record, I looked and didn't find a Bobber only thread. let me know if I missed it. There's a vintage and classic one but nothing bobber specific.

davorallyfan · 09-30-2007, 07:50 PM

Pardon my antipodean ignorance but what is a "bobber"

Is it an old bike with baloon tyres and with no rear suspension.

Do they have a specific purpose?

Thanks.

FloridaSteve · 09-30-2007, 08:10 PM

Pretty decent definition from Wikipedia:

Quote:

History

In post-World War II United States, servicemen returning home from the war started removing all parts deemed too big, heavy, ugly or not absolutely essential to the basic function of the motorcycle, such as fenders, turn indicators, and even front brakes.

The rest came down to taste. The big tires were what bikes came with in those days so the bobber "look" carries over to the more modern interpretations,

FXRocket · 09-30-2007, 08:11 PM

After WWII US servicemen came home and purchased surplus bikes form the Army. When it came to racing and performance the easy thing to do was to bob the fenders (remove the lower half of the rear hinged fender) and remove any superfluous junk that really did nothing. Throw away the fenders, horn, and whatever else you could find. Hence the name "Bobber" ... It was even the precursor to the word "Jalopy" I believe.

Not to be confused with the "Chopper" that came along later, that usually involved more cutting on suspension and frames etc..

This is as close as I get to a bober...

Black Ice · 09-30-2007, 08:32 PM

True. A "Bobber" is a bike that has been stripped of anything that doesn't contribute to the operation of the motorcycle. If it's not absolutely necessary to make it run, it's outta here.

"Choppers" evolved out of the "Bobber." When folks were building Bobbers, they added slightly extended front ends for the sole purpose of having more ground clearance; a firmer, more responsive fork; and better handling all around. Then Bobber Bob decided to extend his springer twice as long--from 3" to 6". Then Dangerous Doug countered with a 9" over...and then it just got ridiculous.

The best way to describe it is that Bobbers are more performance-oriented, whereas Choppers are more style-oriented. The line blurs as they approach a common branch on the MC Family Tree.

AlKay191 · 10-01-2007, 07:14 AM

BRAVO !
Its about time that BOBBERS got some recognition. They are IMO, very important link in motorcycle evolution chain. I've had a few choppers and bobbers back in the early 80s and still have great memories of them and that era. I remember buying a complete, but barely running '65 CL77 Dream chopper for $300. Rigid frame with 12in over forks! I don't think I've ever paid more than $200-300 for a Limey basket case...

Not mine, but very close to '67 Bonnie bobber that I built from a basket.

Mista Vern · 10-01-2007, 08:02 AM

This is gonna be a fun thread - thanks!!

305racer · 10-01-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlKay191

BRAVO !
Its about time that BOBBERS got some recognition. They are IMO, very important link in motorcycle evolution chain. I've had a few choppers and bobbers back in the early 80s and still have great memories of them and that era. I remember buying a complete, but barely running '65 CL77 Dream chopper for $300. Rigid frame with 12in over forks! I don't think I've ever paid more than $200-300 for a Limey basket case...

Not mine, but very close to '67 Bonnie bobber that I built from a basket.

I see your over here stirring up the pot

I wonder if chucking the rear suspension in favor of a bolt on rigid makes it go faster?

chiefrider · 10-01-2007, 10:18 AM

It seems at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America's get togethers folks are running more and more bobbers. To put together a full-stock old bike can be expensive and difficult, but a nice bobber, particularly one that sports period modifications, can be as delicious as an old stocker.

My wife's uncle had a nice Indian four bobber in the 1950's--I've seen only pictures--the old story is he got married and the motorcycle went away. I wish he still had it and would see that it would have a good home next to my stock chief.

Tom

eyedragaknee · 10-01-2007, 10:27 AM

Yep, you are all correct.
The difference can be seen here in the last 2 I built. Same frame and engine basically. The chopper has an extended front end and different "tweaks" and more bling for the Peter Fonda look. The bobber is just for getting down the road, no extra toys.

JR

eyedragaknee · 10-01-2007, 10:34 AM

...and YES, the bobber is faster(quicker) than a stock bike. It is lighter for sure and transfers the power better. Everything is fine till you hit abump or need to turn sharp because ground clearance is sometimes reduced with a rigid rear end. If you want to go fast, stop, and turn......go to the CAFE racer thread

Stephen · 10-01-2007, 10:36 AM

Indian Scout, lots of Triumph bits, 900cc, 330 lbs. Some guy named "Bunny" made it, showed it at Sandia a few years back.

I really like that bike.

dlrides · 10-01-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

Indian Scout, lots of Triumph bits, 900cc, 330 lbs. Some guy named "Bunny" made it, showed it at Sandia a few years back.

I really like that bike.

That bike is a work of art !
Some old leather bags and a rear fender pack, has the makings of a great coast to coast trip.

Stephen,

Best sig line on advrider !

rtwdoug · 10-01-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Ice

Then Dangerous Doug countered with a 9" over...and then it just got ridiculous.

oops, guess thats me

I picked this one up recently from a guy needing $. '51 pan. gonna redo it this winter & tour europe on it next summer.

But, this IS a bobber thread, so here is my '64 XLH

Doug

Burtonridr · 10-01-2007, 11:56 AM

09-30-2007, 06:40 PM	#1
FloridaSteve ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville Florida Oddometer: 2,070	Bobber Pics!! There was a little debate over the historical differences between Cafe bikes and "Bobbers" over in the cafe racer picture thread. Someone suggested a Bobber only thread so here it is.... I'll get it started with my friend Brians beautiful Indian.. Oh and for the record, I looked and didn't find a Bobber only thread. let me know if I missed it. There's a vintage and classic one but nothing bobber specific. __________________ My Blogs: Higher Resolution Photo Album Motorcycle Photo of the Day 2-Stroke-Biker-Blog FloridaSteve screwed with this post 12-26-2007 at 07:22 PM

09-30-2007, 07:50 PM	#2
davorallyfan Commonist Joined: May 2005 Location: Capitalist Oddometer: 14,238	Pardon my antipodean ignorance but what is a "bobber" Is it an old bike with baloon tyres and with no rear suspension. Do they have a specific purpose? Thanks. __________________ 7th Day Adventourist. Terrafied It's like comparing Sao's to Monte Carlo's

09-30-2007, 08:11 PM	#4
FXRocket Phoneticide Squad Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Hoosier Oddometer: 5,304	After WWII US servicemen came home and purchased surplus bikes form the Army. When it came to racing and performance the easy thing to do was to bob the fenders (remove the lower half of the rear hinged fender) and remove any superfluous junk that really did nothing. Throw away the fenders, horn, and whatever else you could find. Hence the name "Bobber" ... It was even the precursor to the word "Jalopy" I believe. Not to be confused with the "Chopper" that came along later, that usually involved more cutting on suspension and frames etc.. This is as close as I get to a bober... __________________ If you say "Gullible" slowly it sounds like "Oranges".

10-01-2007, 08:02 AM	#7
Mista Vern Knows all - tells some. Joined: Dec 2005 Location: McMinnville, Oregon Oddometer: 12,972	This is gonna be a fun thread - thanks!! __________________ - "The turd follows the fart as surely as the rain follows the plow." Emily Bronte

10-01-2007, 10:18 AM	#9
chiefrider Chrome won't get you home Joined: Nov 2004 Location: The lovely Willamette Valley Oddometer: 1,930	AMCA events It seems at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America's get togethers folks are running more and more bobbers. To put together a full-stock old bike can be expensive and difficult, but a nice bobber, particularly one that sports period modifications, can be as delicious as an old stocker. My wife's uncle had a nice Indian four bobber in the 1950's--I've seen only pictures--the old story is he got married and the motorcycle went away. I wish he still had it and would see that it would have a good home next to my stock chief. Tom __________________ I have found that all ugly things are made by those who strive to make something beautiful, and that all beautiful things are made by those who strive to make something useful. --Oscar Wilde

09-30-2007, 08:32 PM	#5
Black Ice Sovereign Individual Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Central AZ Oddometer: 700	True. A "Bobber" is a bike that has been stripped of anything that doesn't contribute to the operation of the motorcycle. If it's not absolutely necessary to make it run, it's outta here. "Choppers" evolved out of the "Bobber." When folks were building Bobbers, they added slightly extended front ends for the sole purpose of having more ground clearance; a firmer, more responsive fork; and better handling all around. Then Bobber Bob decided to extend his springer twice as long--from 3" to 6". Then Dangerous Doug countered with a 9" over...and then it just got ridiculous. The best way to describe it is that Bobbers are more performance-oriented, whereas Choppers are more style-oriented. The line blurs as they approach a common branch on the MC Family Tree.

10-01-2007, 07:14 AM	#6
AlKay191 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Location: On Florida beach or roaming the country Oddometer: 283	BRAVO ! Its about time that BOBBERS got some recognition. They are IMO, very important link in motorcycle evolution chain. I've had a few choppers and bobbers back in the early 80s and still have great memories of them and that era. I remember buying a complete, but barely running '65 CL77 Dream chopper for $300. Rigid frame with 12in over forks! I don't think I've ever paid more than $200-300 for a Limey basket case... Not mine, but very close to '67 Bonnie bobber that I built from a basket.

10-01-2007, 10:27 AM	#10
eyedragaknee McGuyver Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Triangle Oddometer: 2,278	bobber vs chopper Yep, you are all correct. The difference can be seen here in the last 2 I built. Same frame and engine basically. The chopper has an extended front end and different "tweaks" and more bling for the Peter Fonda look. The bobber is just for getting down the road, no extra toys. JR __________________ 2008 KTM250-XCFW 2011 Gas Gas TXT250 1966 Honda 305 Scrambler eyedragaknee screwed with this post 11-23-2007 at 08:10 PM

10-01-2007, 10:34 AM	#11
eyedragaknee McGuyver Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Triangle Oddometer: 2,278	faster? ...and YES, the bobber is faster(quicker) than a stock bike. It is lighter for sure and transfers the power better. Everything is fine till you hit abump or need to turn sharp because ground clearance is sometimes reduced with a rigid rear end. If you want to go fast, stop, and turn......go to the CAFE racer thread __________________ 2008 KTM250-XCFW 2011 Gas Gas TXT250 1966 Honda 305 Scrambler

10-01-2007, 10:36 AM	#12
Stephen Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Oddometer: 3,162	Indian Scout, lots of Triumph bits, 900cc, 330 lbs. Some guy named "Bunny" made it, showed it at Sandia a few years back. I really like that bike. __________________ Stephen Still for sale: 1988 BMW R100GS saddle: the Bumblebee seat

10-01-2007, 11:56 AM	#15
Burtonridr Wanderlost Joined: May 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Oddometer: 3,661	__________________ Have beer, will fly "This forum requires that you wait 30 seconds between posts. Please try again in 1 seconds."

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