Show off your "bobber"

[Tommo]

I don't know how much Roland knows but I'm familiar with "CUT DOWNS" as they were known and that they go back to the early 1920's.

Cut Downs were around long before Californian Bobbers.

"Humboldt's" c1918 Cut Down appeared in the 25th June 1924 issue of "MOTOR CYCLING". A magazine that was published in Chicago at the time.

Just because they cut up bikes then doesn't mean we should cut them up now. Sure if you find an original "Cut Down, Bobber, Chopper, whatever, restore it but don't cut up good original gear.

Tommo

[Old - Rust]

Roland Hope you like my pan Wait till you see after i sell the rear half of the fender on ebay

[roland]

Is there any reason why i should flthead? it does not matter the fact is there still just some guys bodge up, i mean would you do that to a 1915 harley 11F i sincerely hope not. To every one there own i guess, but as i said before it's a pitty to ruin a nice antique motorcycle, i am affraid i just dont like them much either.

[c.o.]

Oh man roland, your going to get some flack for that one. I don't know how anyone could compare the pictures from the front of this thread to OCC! I'm positive that it will be taken as another insult. I guess the old saying rings true........If I had to explain it you wouldn't understand. There are some distinct differences between our current situations and the one's of the founding members of this club. For one the accesibility to economical period correct machines and parts can be a pretty tough row to hoe. Oh, you can hear the ol' bike in a barn story now and then. But those stories are getting fewer and farer between. Even then the odds of having all the original parts together are slim. It's sort of like winning the lottery any more I think. So in order to be part of the experience fellas will ride the bike as is until it can be restored correctly. This however can be a major undertaking with mis-matched parts from different years on one machine. In such a case it may make more sense to make the bike a reliable rider and enjoy it the way it is. After all I believe it is all about the riding in the end. Plus the potential cost to put the bike back to stock condition could be quite expensive. Not everyone has the time or money to wait to put their bike into service until all is "correct".The more antique cycles on the road certainly brings the "grin" factor margins up! They don't all have to be 100 point restos. It's the enjoyment factor that counts and the pleasure these time machines bring to us and the people who see them pass by on a back road somewhere. Roland you need to have a look at a bobber in person sometime, hear it with your own ears, and maybe even get a round the lot spin in. I'd be willing to bet that you would have a hard time holding back a grin.

[flthead]

right on C.O.

c.o. ,you just about covered it !! i know alot of guys that built bikes from pieces + parts an if they hadn't they would still be just pieces + parts but knowing that theres another ol bike out there on the road having fun instead of a milk crate full of parts lying around is the idea ! oh an i don't own a bobber ...just a bunch of ridden ol motorsickles . so untill the time machine is invented so i can go back an find all the unmolested bikes in every corner garage , guess pieced together non -correct bikes are the answer for some + while some are getting grey waiting to find that next correct part ... these incorrect part bikes are keeping there owners a youthfull bunch yeeehaaa!!! lets ride

[inrustwetrust]

I started out doing high point restorations. They are fun and nice to look at. I get far more satisfaction and have a lot more fun on a creation instead of a AMCA correct bike. I doubt there is anybody out there that will buy a complete bike and go after it with a sawzall. It doesn't make any sense to any of us to buy, say, a thirty thousand dollar bike and make it a twelve thousand dollar bike by chopping it up. Basically, anybody can restore a bike to original. Building a bobber takes much more creativity and a broader view. In many ways, the difference between restored machines and the bobbers is much like the difference between a paint by numbers picture and a true masterpiece.

[rwrun]

I would be more than happy to put the right fender on the front of my bike if someone has one for a 1935 RLD. One that I can afford, but until then the cut fender I have on now works just fine for me

[roland]

Hm interesting comments, one thing nobody has talked about though is, do these so called bobbers come under the classification of antique motorcycles? do you guy's who are making such interesting comments restore antique motorcycles? if not you should try it, it really is a statisfying pastime.

[flthead]

you betcha i do !!

yup ,i restore bikes for myself , doing a '37 ulh now ,not the first ...won't be the last . so i can relate to the search for correct year stuff but also have bikes that are close enough for me 'cause i ride 'em for fun not to be judged unless of course you want to donate the correct parts ..... in that case i'll make a list for ya there roland 'ol buddy . wooohooo !!! harmony here i come !!!!!

[bobdo]

This is very interesting, a lot of good points are being made. I hope Roland understands.
This isn't about altering or cutting original parts, I hope. I believe, its about taking pieces & parts off, putting them on a shelf & bolting on something else.
In other words, the bike is unmolested. Money is a huge factor in all of this, not all of us can easily afford our bikes. I have one antique bike that I assembled from swap meet parts as a bobber about thirty years ago. I HAD A BLAST. Since then, I joined the AMCA & learned a lot & felt an obligation to the bike & restore it as best I can. It has been a long road... & it has a long way to go. I now have gray hair & in hind site I should have continued riding it as it was. Riding is what its all about my friends. I do feel very good about having created another bike from odds & ends. I'm sure I won't regret the restoration, I do regret the years in my pickup as my bike sat in pieces. Happy trails, Bob

[roland]

Dont want to upset any more of you good folks so i will just shut now. Cheers have a nice day and keep on riding thats the best thing to do.

[KDR]

Here's a pix of my 1942 Military U........well.......

All I started with was a set of slightly damaged cases with a whole bunch of worn out parts inside and 4 weeks of work. I don't think I ruined an antique, I think I brought one back to life......just reincarnated to what I like and it's definitely not an OCC!

It's even been to the AMCA show in Dessau this year. It's being featured in 6 publications worldwide including an upcoming Iron Works issue & Big Twin in Holland.

Yeah, I do restorations........choppers, bobbers and we also produce over 1700 parts for the Harley now.......most are restoration quality and have been AMCA judged.

I love em all!!! That's what it all about........hope I don't upset you too much roland.

Kurt

[jke]

Love the flames Kurt ! I know, but for the edification of the "don't cut 'em up clan " tell us where the frame came from.
JKE

[KDR]

Actually it's one of ours to go along with our new line of Chopper forks. I've been working with VG Frames here in Holland on the new frames for about a year now. The design is mine........I don't like the raised frame that puts about a foot of light between the top of the engine and the bottom of the tank, so I kept everything low and tight. It's named The Arizona Low Rider.

When the new Depot site is finished I'll have another site dedicated to all of our frames/kits, including a new kit that will incorporate a Servi-car style chassis from the 1940's, (box, wheels, fenders....etc) but with any modern power plant and transmission.......including Indian if you want. We're even trying to make one with active rear suspension......maybe based on a Softail frame. I'm going to try to have the proto-type ready for Dessau next year.......just for people to look at.......

Kurt

[c.o.]

roland I would consider a bobber with old parts to be an antique. Why wouldn't it be? It's still old. As far as restorations go I've got a '41 Sport Scout that is slowly coming together. I have a majority of the right pieces, so I intend to do it proper justice. I will however make sure it's a rider as the rest of the pieces come along. I do however have a Beezer that is the furthest thing from stock. The cost to put it back to original is just too far beyond my financial capabilities. So I guess I will enjoy it as is. There are also many original machines in this club, don't kid yourself on that one........and a great club it is!!!!!!!