Behold the Shadow Bobber
April 10, 2008 – 5:35 am
So I’ve figured out what kind of motorcycle I really dig. It’s the classic bobber, fo sho. I love the stuff being built by Zero Engineering, Jbikez and Darwin Motorcycles (PG-13) although, by definition, they’re actually probably choppers:
A distinction should also be made between choppers and bobbers. While both tried to improve performance by removing any part that did not make the motorcycle perform better, they differed in an important way: bobbers kept the original factory frame, while choppers have a modified form of the factory frame.
When individuals were stripping their stock motorcycles and bobbing their fenders, the term “bobber” was born. When individuals started cutting (or chopping) and welding their frames thereby repositioning/restyling them, the term “chopper” was born. Chopping was the next phase in the evolution that followed dirt track bobbing.
Via Wikipedia
The cool thing about bobbers is their emphasis on bare necessity and DIY. I like that because I don’t have a lot of money to spend on a custom bike. I like it even more because they just look so dang nice.
Thus begins my quest to turn my Honda Shadow VT 600 into a Shadow Bobber. First thing I’ll do is take off the windshield, the front fender, the bags, and any unnecessary fiberglass that doesn’t require modification. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
4 Responses to “Behold the Shadow Bobber”
those seats don’t look like so much fun for any kind of real ride though…lol
By micah hammond on Apr 10, 2008
True, I think they’re more used for looks than comfort these days.
By Dustin Boston on Apr 10, 2008
On the way home yesterday I saw what I now know is a “bobber”. I thought of you and noticed that it didn’t have a windshield thingy.
I think It’s cool that you want to build it yourself. I would love to do it with you, that is if it doesn’t take away from Man time or something like that. I think it would be cool to learn about the bike….even if I can’t drive it….without dropping it blush.
Does removing the windshield make it any less safe?
By Mary Boston on Apr 10, 2008
No I don’t think it makes it less safe. Just a little more windy.
By Dustin Boston on Apr 10, 2008