Hi All,

Over the past year I've been modding my SB and deriving heaps satisfaction from working on the bike. I always wanted to buy/build an "old school" Bobber, something remeniscent of 1940's-1950's era.

While I can save up and buy one, I much rather build one myself  over time, thus not requiring a large up-front expense This way it woudl also be easier to hide it from my Mrs. However, being an IT guy I am certainly not the fabricator/metal worker. So to put it simply, I am affraid of not having enough skills and "phucking" the project up. Don't get me wrong, I can pull the bike apart and put it back together, but that's about it.

So shall I embark on this "adventure" or not? Are there any shops in Melbourne that would give a guy a helping hand (if required) without getting agro? Shall I start learning how to weld? Do I need any large metal fab. tools for my garage?

The idea is to buy a standard Sportster (~1998-2000) model and use it as a donor frame/engine and few other bits. The swingarm would be replaced with the rigid variety and springer front end for the front.

Any way, any words of wisdom are much appreciated. Don't hesitate to encourage/discourage me.

cheers

Vlad

 

I say have a go mate. Once you get out of your comfort zone great things can happen.

I do agree with FLAN though, better to leave the welding to a qualified welder if its structral. Better safe than sorry and under a lorrie.

And keep us posted on the progress.

Yes arc weld ! Yes gas/gasless mig,tig yes get a lathe!! make your own bushes ,axels ,brackets and ant thing else you need for that baby! ! Oh yes a compresser and paint set up as well, 3 good bike lifts, 1 for each procedure,some good air tools , electric hand tools, some good files,a vernier, micrometer, etc. The only step to be carfull is structual welds, send them out if you have any, Other wise what a fantastic hobby!!! what could be better than building a bike!! & with the www. every things delivered to your door....

I say go for it, but get a pro to do the weld and tig weld..tig is a stronger and cleaner weld...do your home work before you attempt to paint yourself..depending on your budget there are many talented painters about.

WC

Only my opinion, go do it, I`d use an ironhead motor and get the frame modded by one of the many frame builders around Melb, guageworks in Geelong get a lot of praise for quality, use a pre 74 frame so you don`t need blinkers, one mirror ,no front brake light switch, then trawl the swap meets, chuck out bins, wanted adds etc for parts, buy a compressor and teach yourself to paint, the guys at the paint shop will help you out if your honest and tell em you know nothing about painting, leave the chroming, powdwer coating and paint till last as just as something looks complete it will need modified for the next stage to progress, Why not take up a nightclass for welding and have the instructor  oversee all your fabrication, also gives you access to all kinds of tools.To begin with keep the motor stock as there is little point building a super dooper $15 grand motor then waiting 10years to pay it off and save up for a front end. A bobber is meant to be simple, stripped of all unnecessary crap...........Good luck, its a lot easier to start a project than finish it. why not advertise for an unfinished project there must be a thousand out there sitting in sheds.  

Dont do any welding yourself on your bike, you will find that it will not pass the inspection test put on it by
all the people that go iver your custom bike.
you need to get it done by someone that have proper certificates of welding.
Alan

If you're in Melbourne and decide to go through with it I'll give you a hand. I'm thinking about getting the black bull kit from exile sent over from the US.

save some cash by doing a Truimph bonnie or similar for your first one and see how ya go

vladt.....Well !!! have you started yet !!

by all means use the sporty as a donor - better still buy a bobber rigid rolling chassis and go from there- cheap enough and then just add the parts u like as you go along - just like they do on tv, hahaha bike assemblers....most of em anyways

Just an update.
I've gone to a slightly different route. I've bought an original 52 panhead that needs restoration.
Now, this is definitely a long term project...

52 pan ..great stuff!!!! can you post a photo or 2 before you start the resto??

no probs, bike is already on the lift, but I haven't really started yet. awaiting some parts to come in from the States. Will take some pics over the weekend and post.

There are loads of bolt on parts available these days and with the dollar the way it is, there has never been a better time.

The best thing is to plan the build, don't just start and add on as you go, its like cooking a dinner and just adding anything as you go, 99% of the time it will taste like shit, the same will go for the look of your bike if you don't plan it.

You can get some great ideas from other peoples bikes,  just take the look from each bike that you like, add your own ideas and your there.

Best advise I can give is get a cool seat, it makes the bike.

Later

 

Dave

 

U should do it but take ur time, do a welding course find someone who knows what their doing to inspect your work have pride in ur work its amazing what a novice can do in their shed.

go for it.....I want to do a WLA bobber.......my Z50a is the Lil bobber....

mate i have customised every bike ive owned since i was a kid ,with no trade skills ,just what my pop taught me and what ive learned along the way ,my 67 ironhead was very ugly when i bought it at $3ooo and ive since ( 3months ) spend another $3000 and i couldnt be happier ,im cuurently building a 650 suzuki bobber