|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> "Trailer trash" bobber /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1248802832 Message started by groupus on 07/28/09 at 10:40:32 |
|
Title: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 07/28/09 at 10:40:32 So i'm putting this here because, although it may not be a technical reference, it will certainly be helpful for anyone looking to build a bobber on the cheap. This is a project that has been in the works for a time now, but I never took the bike off the road for a long period of time to do anything to it. It has just been accumulating slowly, mostly because the Savage was my main/only form of transportation during this time. Keep in mind that I had minimal mechanical knowledge before this and only liked to tinker. It started in June 2007 when I bought a 2003 Savage as my first bike at 20 years old. I enjoyed it but never had any plans to change it. I even (heaven forbid) considered getting a bigger bike. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738870-full.jpg http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738869-full.jpg like I said: had some fun Then, a year later, I did what every rider has done or will do eventually, I laid it down. I went into a corner too fast, and through a combination of inexperience and panic, put it down at about 25 mph. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738871-full.jpg Yes. It hurt, physically and damaged my ego too. But I picked the bike back up and rode it home that night. Admittedly, that was a very stupid thing to do seeing as how it was dark and the headlight was hanging off of it. I was pretty beat up too as the scratches on my helmet and hole in my leather jacket will attest to. Plenty of gashes and road rash, but not worthy of a trip to the ER (in my opinion; I'm young, stupid, and cheap). Anyways, I was understandably bummed out. I considered selling it, but I knew I would get nothing for a wrecked bike. Being a poor college student, I fixed it on the cheap. It was back on the road in less than a week thanks to duck tape and some creative wrenching. I got used headlight, handlebars (old ones were bent), mirrors, and tank on ebay. I painted the tank myself with spray cans. Also, I just took off the torn backrest pad, bent the foot peg out, and taped the turn signal back up. A little later I picked up a harley exhaust at a swap meet (and rejetted) and build a license plate bracket in shop class. So I was happy again; for a bit. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C01%5C23%5Cbikepics-1547871-800.jpg here is my bike all fixed up next to my dad's perfectly stock 2002. But of course that wasn't the end of it. One cold night in November, I was screwing around with my friend with a 700 Shadow at stoplight and I took off, HARD. When I say "took off", I mean literally; I went VERTICAL. The resulting wheelie ground the back of my fender into an upward lip and the landing did minor damage to other parts. It wasn't too badly damaged and I managed to fix it temporarily by filing down the rough edge, applying some touchup paint, and putting one of those rubber strip car door protectors on to cover the worst of it. But my friend said seeing me go across the intersection, straight up, with sparks flying was the coolest thing he had ever seen. So at this point, I had already customized it a good amount, but nothing real serious or radical. But like all addictions, I soon moved onto the harder stuff. I had altered it from stock, removed unnecessary parts, the process had begun! Winter came and I thought of all the terrible things that I would do to that poor little economy bike. Gradually, I took off the belt guard and reflectors, replaced the damaged turn signals, and removed any sticker that would identify it as a Savage. Now here is where we get into building a bobber: On a whim, I called up a local trailer parts store to see what they had as far as fenders. After some rough figuring and a lot of help from this site, I ordered one for $13; I figured I didn't have a lot to lose. I picked it up and over the course of the next 3 days, the Savage went from modified stock to custom bobber. I pulled off the rear fender and test fitted the new one. I also left the rear wheel on, which made work a little more difficult but made the bike rideable the whole time. Also, the turn signals mounted to the shocks are DOT trailer parts and $3 each at Advance Auto. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738910-800.jpg The taillight w/ license plate light is, you guessed it, a trailer part available at any parts store for around $6. This is one of those "3 wire" setups that have only 2 wires. You have to use the metal body as the 3rd. I connected a wire to one of the bolts I used to hold it. The running light is actually hooked into the license plate light wires with the same type of connectors that I bought to plug the new turn signals into the stock plugs. That was just easier and provides the same effect. The remaining wire is soldered into the back of the stock taillight plug. I made sure all the wiring is non-destructive and easily reversible. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738902-800.jpg My "workshop" using my dad's jigsaw and power drill. It was supprisingly easy to cut and then shape up with a file. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738915-800.jpg After much filing, test fitting, and sanding. I also put in places to mount the heat sink and starter solenoid. http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1738929-800.jpg And after its all finished: http://p1.bikepics.com/2009%5C07%5C28%5Cbikepics-1739058-800.jpg I put black electrical tape on the underside of the seat so you don't see the ugly white plastic seatpan. Also, you can barely see a blue glow around the engine; those are LED strips I got at Advance Auto. Those plus 4 strategically placed LED bulbs light it up real nice and make me feel a lot safer at night. I love the custom look it has now and the way people stare and ask what it is. ;D My friends love it too. They all know the unique sound it has and my one buddy loves that he can point to any part on the bike and I can tell a story about it. :P IMHO, painting is probably the hardest part, but thats because I could sit there with a file and shape the metal all afternoon, but I get frustrated by painting; especially when it gets too humid and rains. :'( Total parts cost: fender - $13 taillight - $6 turn signal x2 - $6 sandpaper, metal saw blades, wires, bolts, etc - $25 handlebars - $20 mirrors - $30 HD exhaust - $20 Paints – about $10 depending on quality you buy. license plate mount – free; I made it Beer - varies by taste So even you can build a relatively cheap bobber just like me! Mine actually cost a lot more because I had to but replacements for what I had broken like the tank, headlight, handlebars, and triple tree (which had broken the stop off and caused the handlebars to go into the tank). Plus I screwed up with some more expensive paint and had to redo it. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 07/28/09 at 15:42:31 Whew I know what you mean with the laying it down, didn't quite hurt the bike as bad but the pride still hurts |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by SimonTuffGuy on 07/29/09 at 07:13:49 Excellent post and those pics will be very helpful... :) I guess it's time to start my transformation. :) A buddy of mine from another forum makes these custom LED light strips for bobbers (I'm thinking they would be similar to those blue LED strips you got from Autozone)... He can even add in integrated turn signals to them too. Not sure if I'll end up going with something like that, or a setup similar to yours. I like the one tail light off to the side, but then I'm afraid people coming from the right side would miss me. I really like the conversion where your turn signals are integrated as part of the brake lights, but still function as signals. I might go that route, then I don't need to have an extra tail light at all. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by spacepirates on 07/29/09 at 11:02:18 Very nice mods! Looking online, fenders can be $200 - $400. you spent less than that on the entire bike! I am really digging the look, did you black out the muffler yourself? if so, you mind divulging how you did it and what paint you used? Are blue LEDs legal in PA? |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by SimonTuffGuy on 07/29/09 at 11:30:15 The fender I checked into (thanks to Demin for the tip) was at Northern Tool @ $25 As for the LED's... I've heard different stories from different people. I'm sure any police officer will tell you that red and blue are off limits... It does add to the looks though. :) |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 07/30/09 at 12:39:36 im not sure where the fender is from, I just talked to a guy at the trailer parts store and he ordered it in for $13. Its kinda thinner metal than what i was hoping for, but it still holds my weight if i sit on it (<180lb) - so it'll probably hold a womanzes. haha The muffler was black when I bought it, but I've had to respray it b/c I rashed it a little :-/. I got a can of flat black header paint and the auto parts store and painted it and cured it on the bike, as per the directions. you have to let it idle for 15 min, cool for 20, idle for 20, cool for 20, and run at speed for 30 to cure it - or something like that. I just didn't want to take it off. I suggest using header primer to make it stick better; mine pealed off and i had to redo it once. As far as the lights... ANY COLOR is legal in PA: " HB 901 - Auxillary Lighting On June 29, 2006 Governor Rendell signed House Bill 901 sponsored by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff. The bill amends the Vehicle Code to allow for auxiliary lighting on motorcycles. The bill allows blue dot illumination, standard bulb running lights and light emitting diode (LED) pods and strips to be added to a motorcycle to give greater protection to motorcycle riders. " Red and blue are usually reserved for emergency vehicles, but all of my friends have either red or blue too. and after a recent trip to OC MD, I now know blue and red are legal in Delaware too, but not in Maryland. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by twdy on 07/30/09 at 13:57:31 man i want to do this so bad.. but my girl rides on the back, and has no interest in her own bike |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by spacepirates on 07/30/09 at 18:40:37 I guess I'll have to mod up my bike so I can add some slick underlighting to it. can't do that with stock... that would just be silly. maybe this winter i'll do some heavy modding. couple cans of spray paint... header paint... airbox... hmm..... I'd bob it out, but twdy and i have the same problem: a girl who likes to ride b***h but not ride on her own. I wonder if I could find a fender the right dimensions for the front wheel. I've always kind of liked the look of a front fender that almost touches the pavement on the rear side of the front wheel. probably would be cleaner too. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by odvelasc on 07/30/09 at 21:32:05 4C5B4E5B465C59290 wrote:
great job on the tank? How did you do the flames? Have you considered a motorcycle safety course? No offense, but two incidents of banging up the bike? The course will teach a little bit about how to drive safely lol |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 07/31/09 at 13:28:58 haha. i actually did take the safety course already; thats how i got my license. But not with over 10,000 miles under my belt, I'm set to take the advanced course. the flames were done on a whim with $1 can of paint from walmart. I had sketched up a few ideas at work, and while I still had that tank off, I masked it off and painted it. I used a roll of electrical tape cut in half so it was thinner and i could manipulate the curves easier. then masking tape and newspaper. took a lot of tries to get it good before i painted. you guys who want to keep the back seat, I know someone here had lowered the stock fender with some spacers and longer top bolts. It looked good; would probably be even cleaner if you got rid of the stock lights with those integrated tail/turn lights and ditched sissy bar and maybe side rails. That way you get to keep the ladies seat. Someone else also had a big dresser style fender on the front. not sure who, but I remember it was a white bike. anyone know who? here are my blue lights on my (nearly) stock bike. two strips on the frame and single bulbs run behind the shocks and along the brakeline to the front wheel. http://p1.bikepics.com/2008%5C10%5C22%5Cbikepics-1458317-800.jpg i havent gotten any pics of the newest version at night |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Savage_Amusement on 07/31/09 at 14:11:15 That lights up really well! I'm going to do a little bit of lighting down the road. I've got quite a ways to go yet. Great work. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by SimonTuffGuy on 08/01/09 at 06:31:17 The Experienced Riders course in PA is the SAME thing that you do in the Basic course, except on your own bike... It was a little basic still, but it might be helpful to do the swerves and figure 8's and quick stops, etc on your own bike... I took the BRC last year when I got my bike... And then I took it again this year because my girlfriend wanted to take it... And then I decided to take the ERC since I've been riding for a year and I was a little disappointed. Thanks for the post on the bill from Rendell though! I'll have to carry that along with me once I add some lights! ;) |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by flcruzr on 08/05/09 at 17:45:29 Groupus: Cool project and imagination, thanks for sharing! |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Demin on 08/05/09 at 19:42:00 4241524F360 wrote:
P-pad.Under 30 bucks. If my fender on my build was a little longer it would have been on it. http://p1.bikepics.com/2008/07/02/bikepics-1340585-800.jpg |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Bobbert on 08/16/09 at 17:12:03 can you take a picture of your license plate mount? |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 09/02/09 at 21:21:26 http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v362/100/89/35905377/n35905377_32335137_9268.jpg its just something i roughly fabricated in the schools shop out of scrap. has a long mounting arm to allow for saddle bags on the old fender, but that makes it shake around a little. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Ap5112 on 07/28/14 at 18:56:49 Those mounts you used for your rear turn signals I can get at advanced auto in the trailer part section and do they already have the holes drilled and everything ready to go? |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 07/30/14 at 08:49:24 Holy thread revival batman! Yeah, those turn signals have an L bracket built into them. I think all I had to do was drill the hole bigger. I have since moved on to a different setup. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Tocsik on 07/30/14 at 10:55:09 I'm glad this necropost was brought back. Enjoyed the read. Nice job on the simple bob! |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Ap5112 on 07/30/14 at 14:58:58 The advanced auto where I'm at doesn't even have trailer lights smh |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by Tocsik on 07/30/14 at 15:20:02 Try The Great Wal of China Mart 0E233F232E213B357D794F0 wrote:
|
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by groupus on 07/31/14 at 09:29:30 You could try Auto Zone or Pep Boys. They all seem to carry the same stuff. There's one of each within 15 minutes of me. I've seen these lights used on custom hot rods too. |
|
Title: Re: "Trailer trash" bobber Post by BalingWire on 07/31/14 at 12:16:43 I really like those LED lights, but I'm thinking blue lights of any kind in Ohio are illegal for anybody but police. Maybe green would look just as cool... 8-) |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |