bobber

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11 Feb 2012 15:12 #503341 by ohiokz550
bobber was created by ohiokz550
Hello to all! I just got my first bike, a 1983 kz550 ltd. I want to make it into a bobber. I will do some research online and in this forum for some ideas. I have no clue where to begin, but can't wait to get started. I will post a pic of my bike soon. Hopefully I can get some suggestions on how to get started.

83' kz550 ltd

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11 Feb 2012 15:21 #503343 by ohiokz550
Replied by ohiokz550 on topic bobber

Attachment IMAG0010.jpg not found


83' kz550 ltd
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11 Feb 2012 15:22 #503344 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic bobber
Welcome to the nut house :silly:

You will find several bobber threads here and I bet there are some over at the 550 website as well.

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

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11 Feb 2012 15:26 #503345 by ohiokz550
Replied by ohiokz550 on topic bobber
Thanks for the advice. Like I said Im new at this so Im sure I will get lost in the forum, lol.

83' kz550 ltd

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11 Feb 2012 15:30 #503347 by ramtough_63
Replied by ramtough_63 on topic bobber
My advice when starting any project is pretty much the same whether it's a bobber, chopper or restoration

1. buy a shop manual
2. get a preliminary idea of what you want. (This may change several times throughout your build)
3. start with what you can afford
4. meet people with like minds
5. avoid complete tear downs on your 1st build
finish it then tear it down for the total ground up. you dont want to spend the money painting and powdercoating a frame only to have to change something later and ruin the paint/poweder coating
6. Take the advise of those who have been there.
7. There are 1000 and 1 ways to skin a cat


as far as a bobber there are alot of different styles the term bobber just means bobbing the stuff off of your bike removing and streamlining the overall look

this can be done without alot of additional expense howevert the bikes you see that you love are probably not bobbers they are complete fabricated visions of years of experience

1978 KZ1000 A2
Thrown Together To Ride Til Winter
Facebook Page
Free Range Custom Art


1982/83 750R/GPZ
1984 Goldwing 1200 Interstate
1982 Yamahopper QT50
Previous
2 79 HD sporty XLH
02 HD FLSTS Heritage
60's HD Hummer
70's Honda 550 Four
70 Yamaha 100
and various enduros dirtbikes minibikes...

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11 Feb 2012 16:23 #503352 by JEFFG1
Replied by JEFFG1 on topic bobber
very well said B)

1976 KZ 900 PRO STREET 1977 kz1000 dragbike project

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11 Feb 2012 16:32 #503354 by apbling
Replied by apbling on topic bobber
Not a bad looking bike! I have an 82 550 LTD. When it's running (not lately :) ) it's a blast. I love the bobber look, but make sure you are sure you want to do it. Plus, with a shafty your options might be more limited with stretching the swingarm (if you would want to).

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11 Feb 2012 19:04 - 11 Feb 2012 19:06 #503368 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic bobber
Step 1 - before riding the bike or even starting the engine to see what you have - totally disassemble every nut and bolt and neatly stack everything as if you will sometime in the very distant future get around to working on the bike again, and if you do, actually remember where evreything goes. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: NOT! (one other hint - a chalk outline on the patio showing what goes where will certainly be helpful 3 or 4 years from now when you revisit the project). :woohoo:


1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Last edit: 11 Feb 2012 19:06 by 650ed.

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11 Feb 2012 23:38 #503401 by ramtough_63
Replied by ramtough_63 on topic bobber

650ed wrote: Step 1 - before riding the bike or even starting the engine to see what you have - totally disassemble every nut and bolt and neatly stack everything as if you will sometime in the very distant future get around to working on the bike again, and if you do, actually remember where evreything goes. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: NOT! (one other hint - a chalk outline on the patio showing what goes where will certainly be helpful 3 or 4 years from now when you revisit the project). :woohoo:


Oh Em Gee! as mt daughteer says That is the best case fore not touching it you could ever make!

1978 KZ1000 A2
Thrown Together To Ride Til Winter
Facebook Page
Free Range Custom Art


1982/83 750R/GPZ
1984 Goldwing 1200 Interstate
1982 Yamahopper QT50
Previous
2 79 HD sporty XLH
02 HD FLSTS Heritage
60's HD Hummer
70's Honda 550 Four
70 Yamaha 100
and various enduros dirtbikes minibikes...

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Julian@MotoCARR
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11 Feb 2012 23:53 #503404 by Julian@MotoCARR
Replied by Julian@MotoCARR on topic bobber
^^Woah lol

Humans are smart
People are stupid

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12 Feb 2012 06:12 #503440 by ohiokz550
Replied by ohiokz550 on topic bobber
Thanks for the advice guys. I do need to get some tires for this thing. I was interested in getting one for the rear that is a little wider than the one on it. How big can I go with the factory wheel? Any suggestions on a type of tire?

83' kz550 ltd

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12 Feb 2012 16:43 #503494 by ohiokz550
Replied by ohiokz550 on topic bobber
Ok, so i might be in over my head with this thing. I started it up today and it will only run with the choke out. It had very little gas in the tank so I added about a gallon of fresh gas. Engine doesnt smoke at all, but it sounds like a little diesel at idle. I thinking this thing might need to be rebuilt, but I know nothing about bikes. I was going to focus on getting new tires first but I guess I need to get her to run right. Any thoughts or suggestions?

83' kz550 ltd

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