Hi newbie here with some questions about choppers/bobbers.

[plsdunhurtme]

Hi all the big brothers out there. I am new here, currently going to take my 2b this year and I have some questions. Sorry ah, still new to the whole bike scene and stuff. Thought maybe can ask from some professional help.

 

So I am taking my 2b this year, and cruisers are my pick, scramblers, sportsbike and others not really my type. So after researching and stuff, I thought I would be getting a phantom for my first bike, but one day I saw this hot chopper/bobber on the street, and that was really my type.

 

So after researching and stuff, I have a few questions un-answered.

 

1.If I were to get a chopper/bobber it means I have to build it from scratch or modify an existing cruiser..?

 

2.Base on question 1, around how much would it cost to get a decent one in total? Not looking for those speed machine type, just a nice looking one for ride around, no need those really expensive and super powerful type of parts if they exist at all.

 

3.What is really the difference between a chopper and a bobber? I heard that one is altered frame one is original frame, so what does that really means?

 

4.From the chopper/bobber pictures I manage to find and stuff, didn't really see one with pillion seat, is it possible to have one with pillion seat?

 

5.From the above questions right, lets say I would really get a chopper/bobber myself, it means I have to go to shops to get them done?

 

Finally thanks all big brothers out there for answering my questions. Greatly appreciate it.

Cheers!

[Terrible One]

Actually dun have to bother so much about the terms.. All you need to do is customize it to be the bike that you want it to be.. Custom bikes are meant to be very personal.. ur bike is modded to fit ur riding style,position,usage(weeknights rides only or daily commuter or pillion/solo) and budget.. If u worry too much about what others think "bobbers/choppers" should be den your bike wun be "personal" anymore..

 

You can build one from scratch,but you'll never be able to register it with LTA.. So you gotta have an exsiting bike to work with.. If u have the resources,den do it yourself.. If you want shop to do for you,make sure you know what you want and you gotta communicate well with them if not the end product will prob not be what you had in mind.. Most impt thing is to ride safe,cos u got the rest of your life to try out all kinds of bikes if u stay in 1pc.. Cheers!

[plsdunhurtme]

Thanks for reply! Understood what your trying to say. So if I am interested in getting a chopper, I have to get an existing bike to customise it myself? Its possible to do it myself?

[X-ilED]

good. fresh young blood to the scene. lol

 

I'm assuming that u have been keeping a healthy supply of bobbers/ choppers pics on your com already. and sorry to burst your bubble almost non of what u find online is legal in sg. like wat terribleone said.. if u intend to do up a bike as a daily rider.. your mods sadly cannot be extreme. if you intend to have a project bike, thats a different story.

 

So..to start off right, you need to get the basics clear. go read up on different frames followed by different styles. cos what look u are going for ultimately gets affected by the choice of the base bike.

 

just a few keywords to aid your search:

 

rigid frames, softtails, hardtail, dual shock frames, dropseat, gooseneck etc.. these are the variety of frames floating ard in the market.

 

styles: old school, pro street, bobber, cafe racer, chopper... etc...

 

each of these looks have dictinctive features but at the same time is also versatile enough to be swapped ard or incorporated into the different stylings.

 

all these will aid u in the choice of your base bike when u start your project. for example, dragstars have no subframe joined to the mainframe. this makes them easier to sport the looks of a tire hugging fender as compared to steeds which will require hacking of the subframe to get that look. Thats of cos if you are looking to build an old sch bobber... if your style is something else that doesnt require a low fender, then your choice of the base bike will change accordingly.

 

terribleone has a point in mods being very personal, however, there are still certain basic forms the bike must take for it to be believable as to waht u are creating.. randomly throwing parts onto a bike isnt really gonna make it nice. u wanna mod for a reason and i belive one of it is to get a cool, kicka$$ ride which turns heads.... u want comments that start with wide eyes, dropped jaws and a god smacking "WTF?!" ...... and it should end with "thats fu*kin cool!!!" and not "wad the Fu*k is he thinking" haha

 

As a tip, do alot alot of research b4 u buy your base bike. ask ard what their frames structure is like so u can see if they fit your final look.

 

as for DIY, u can see alot of diy projects floating ard in the forum.. just takes a bit of trying out to gain the confidence.

 

there are shops which do customs but do not expect cheap deals and not all can give u what u want.

 

now for the shameless self advertisment... lol ...pm me if u wanna know more and if u wanna mod your bike. look at my fb links below for a preview of my past projects for my customers.

[plsdunhurtme]

Thanks bro X-ilED for the advise, greatly appreciated. Will go and research more, thanks for the help. And I have viewed your fb profile quite some time before I started this thread, and you do a great job! Will definitely drop you a PM when I have done more research! Just a few more unanswered questions.

 

1. You stated that most of the bikes mod are not legal in Singapore, and can't be too extreme, but what is considered specifically extreme?

 

2. And is this http://image.automotive.com/f/events/9899895+pheader/0602_stcp_01_z+custom_chopper_repair_shops+cenzi_motorcycle_company.jpg considered as a possible "Legal" chopper?

 

Just some explanation about what is some parts of the chopper that is my ideal kind, that picture above is almost the type that I would go for, high apebars, nice angle of the wheels, and the overall body frame.

 

Another example is bro X-ilED's hot rod, dragstar bike.

[bobberArt]

Hi, Im a bobber enthusiast..I wonder if there are groups here I can join, im also planning to build my own one.

 

thanks,

 

Art

[devil.L]

for 2B bikes, id reco honda phantom TA200 or a daylim daystar..

with tht 2 machine, you can mod em into smthg you rlly want, with th sufficient fund provided..

 

grab your machine, pm me.

we can meet up t discuss nd work out on your ride,

ive a regular workshop which did a wonderful job in turning my stock TA200 into smthg i rlly desire whn i first got my ride, no problem t bring nd reco you guys t th shop boss & mechs..

tell em how you want things t be done, thy'd do it nicely for you.. (:

 

reachable 247 @ 94786'999 (:

[Terrible One]

I'd pick Honda Rebel over a TA as a base bike anytime..

[devil.L]

agree. rebel has its way t mod..

ape hanger forsay, looks better one a rebel thn a TA..

but still, it depend on how th person want t ride t look like.

rebel doesnt look good if its theme'd on cafe racer, as compare t TA..

agree? (:

[X-ilED]

agree. rebel has its way t mod..

ape hanger forsay, looks better one a rebel thn a TA..

but still, it depend on how th person want t ride t look like.

rebel doesnt look good if its theme'd on cafe racer, as compare t TA..

agree? (:

 

 

 

no la.. it depends on the modder.. if he is good enough.. he could turn a TA or rebel into a sports bike seamlessly. lol

[X-ilED]

Thanks bro X-ilED for the advise, greatly appreciated. Will go and research more, thanks for the help. And I have viewed your fb profile quite some time before I started this thread, and you do a great job! Will definitely drop you a PM when I have done more research! Just a few more unanswered questions.

 

1. You stated that most of the bikes mod are not legal in Singapore, and can't be too extreme, but what is considered specifically extreme?

 

2. And is this http://image.automotive.com/f/events/9899895+pheader/0602_stcp_01_z+custom_chopper_repair_shops+cenzi_motorcycle_company.jpg considered as a possible "Legal" chopper?

 

Just some explanation about what is some parts of the chopper that is my ideal kind, that picture above is almost the type that I would go for, high apebars, nice angle of the wheels, and the overall body frame.

 

Another example is bro X-ilED's hot rod, dragstar bike.

 

 

 

tat is EXACTLY whats illegal in sg lol.... that frame is an aftermarket frame with extreme stretches all round so u can get the high neck-chopper looking stance... any base bike u acquire will never sport this kind of frames so its quite impossible to create a good looking frisco tank look without the proper frame. most likely you will end up with a sportster tank bolted ontop of the stock frame ... not very appealing lines if u ask me.

 

in any case, feel free to look me up if u need advise on your future mods. I dun charge for consultation dun worry hahaha. as for now.. research!

[devil.L]

Thanks bro X-ilED for the advise, greatly appreciated. Will go and research more, thanks for the help. And I have viewed your fb profile quite some time before I started this thread, and you do a great job! Will definitely drop you a PM when I have done more research! Just a few more unanswered questions.

 

1. You stated that most of the bikes mod are not legal in Singapore, and can't be too extreme, but what is considered specifically extreme?

 

2. And is this http://image.automotive.com/f/events/9899895+pheader/0602_stcp_01_z+custom_chopper_repair_shops+cenzi_motorcycle_company.jpg considered as a possible "Legal" chopper?

 

Just some explanation about what is some parts of the chopper that is my ideal kind, that picture above is almost the type that I would go for, high apebars, nice angle of the wheels, and the overall body frame.

 

Another example is bro X-ilED's hot rod, dragstar bike.

 

 

i think a steed or steed springer (if thr's a difference) can be turn into smthg like this, but th frame wld look pretty much different thou..

 

technically, its all about how you want your ride t look like..

persoanlly ive tried 2 style on my ride, both's ok for me.

changed due t accident. T-T

if you've th time nd fund, you can always mod into smthg nd change it th nxt month or two..

 

do more research, meet up with groups with th kinda ride you desire,

use their product as reference.. (:

[Terrible One]

agree. rebel has its way t mod..

ape hanger forsay, looks better one a rebel thn a TA..

but still, it depend on how th person want t ride t look like.

rebel doesnt look good if its theme'd on cafe racer, as compare t TA..

agree? (:

 

if 2B cafe racer I'll choose a CM125,or if high budget CD185.

 

After I'm done w my Steed I might wanna turn an XR4 into a new skool cafe racer

[devil.L]

cool.

everybody's turning a ride into anthr, awhole new look..

we shd start a thread t post befor-during-aftr pictures..

partly for newbie t hav a reference of wht can be done nd had been done.. haha.

[plsdunhurtme]

Alright thanks all the brothers out there who gave me advises. It helps this newbie here alot. Well I am turning 18 this year, taking my 2b. You guys might think I might be those rash youngsters who are just having a phase whereby they want to chiong and get a bike without much consideration. However I am serious in getting my bike and I want it to be one that really satisfy me. Budget wise, honestly not sure how much I have, most likely around 5-7k. This one have to see as I am paying the bike full myself, no sponsers from parents no nothing. So ya. Hopefully brothers out there can understand this young newbie here abit and really thanks for all the help. Will definitely drop you guys a pm soon enough.

[devil.L]

ring me soon, ima young rider too.

94786'999 (:

[Nomad]

Hey plsdunhurtme

Welcome to the riding scene~!

 

One question for you. how tall are you?

reason I asked is because if you are 180cm. modifying a 2b bike into a bobber would be rather awkward looking when you are riding it. the picture that you gave as an example of your dream bobber is not a small machine. I estimate the guy in it to be at least a 6footer. On another note. if you are a small guy of around 150 to 160cm. then modifying a 2B bike such as a rebel will be ideal.

 

Still referring to the picture. it has a spring front suspension as oppose to a telescopic hydraulic suspension (usually what you see on bikes)

As for the bikes that comes stock with that front suspension, as far as i know harley's crossbone (Class 2) or honda steed vls400cc (Class 2A). as for 2B bikes, you only have telescopic front suspension for now.

 

lastly. i totally understand your new found love for bobbers.

Don't despair if it may seem like a mammoth's task to attain your dream (DIY) or the hefty price tag that comes along (get Pros to mod for you). If you presist, the results are satisfying to the max.

[plsdunhurtme]

Hi bro Nomad. Thanks for your input. I'm actually quite a small guy. Around 165+. Thats suitable right?

 

Yeah. Totally understand the part whereby getting my bobber/chopper seem like such a big task right now. Getting enrolled this May. And definitely will do my best to get my bike once I have gotten my license. Well, doing all I can to save up for my bike. Definitely want to get my first bike a chopper/bobber which I am satisfied with. Even if others tells me to mod a better 2A bike. But my opinion is that, my first bike is something that I want to have memories of, and I am not planning to switch to a 2A soon too. So definitely want to get a chopper/bobber which I like.

[ApaM]

Phantom TA200 for $650.

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279179

[monggos]

hi. where to buy 17" by 5.50"/6.0" spoke rim?? thanks!!!