Bobber Motorcycles

A Harley bobber is simply a Harely Davidson motorcycle which has all the ‘optional’ parts take off to make it lighter. This configuration offers a long, lean look as well as increased performance.

Lowering and stretching a Harley bobber frame is common, or you can keep the stock frame as it is. Extended forks can add to the long, lean look sought in bobbers. Removing or cropping the front fender, and cropping the rear fender is the road to the bobber look.

You may see a pillion pad on a Harley Bobber because bobber owners avoid the king/queen saddle. Bicycle style seats with springs were commonly used because they were comfortable. This really makes a statement that the motorcycle is for the owner and the owner alone! When you do see a pillion pad on a bobber, it is a very, very small one indeed. These bikes are used for performance and are rarely uses by riders crusing around town.

Red-wall tires are quite popular amongst bobber owners. A vintage look is achieved which is reminiscent of the post war bikes which were built by GI’s who returned from war. Harley Davidson’s where uses in the military and the men who rode them where comfortable with them. These bikes arrived back in the U.S. and they were often bought by GI’s as surpluls military equipment. The bobber configuration, the stripped down look that is, was used for street racing or simply to have the wind hit ones face as they ride.

The term “bobber” became associated with this stripped down Harley Davidsons during the post-war years. At that same time, young, trendy women were wearing their hair in a simple, straight, easy-to-care-for style called “the bob” due to the bobbed-off look. The same term, ‘bobbers’ was used in reference to former GI’s motorcycles as young women began to hang out with them. The bikes were ‘bobbed’ which means that all the unnecessary items were completely take off of them.

The stripped down look of a bobber continues to be the style people are looking for, even though there are many requirements needed in order to actually ride it on the road. Head lamp, tail lamp, and turn signals, as well as tag lighting, are items required by most, if not all, states in order to obtain a registration and tag for a bobber. You will never see a Harley bobber that is heavily weighted down with bags, a wind screen, or other things of this nature.

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