What's the best bike for a cheap bobber project?

[max power]

I've been kicking around picking up a cheap bike to do a bobber.

Got some ideas of what I want to do but not sure what the best platform would be.

I'd love to build it out of a v twin, but wouldn't mind a parallel twin like an XS either.

What do you guys think? What platform would you start with and why?

[jester3681]

Honda CB350/400/450/500/550/650/750/900/1100 etc. Parts are plentiful and there is good support for bobbers, choppers or cafes.

[hue jass]

Spent some time trying to find what frame would be best to modify for a TL motor. It has to a be a V-Twin. With perfect forks. And perfect bars. Seen some great ones consistently at Hooters Hilliard Bike Nites.

[drew95gt]

If you are looking to stay cheap look at the Honda Rebel kit from BlueCollarBobbers for some ideas. Maybe a S40 (Savage) or something similar would be a cool starting point if you wanted something a little bigger.

[oomp]

XS650 , there is a bunch of sites out there with some really cool parts .

CBs are good to ( I had a 550 ) but I really like the look of the Yamaha .

[SquareHead]

Yamaha XS650. 1977-79. Those are the years most builders would suggest trying to find. I bought a 1978 XS650 a couple of months ago with the intention of building a bobber. Drove all the way to Wisconsin to pick it up. But, I changed my mind so I may be selling mine. It's in very nice original shape. If you are interested in it, you can PM me.

[Pokey]

Plus 2 on a Suzuki S40 "Savage".

[smccrory]

In all cases make sure the bike doesn't use constant velocity (CV) carbs. They're almost impossible to get right once their airbox is removed.

[Kennyb357]

98 Shadow Ace 750 I did back in 06. The possibilities are endless.

[max power]

  smccrory said:

In all cases make sure the bike doesn't use constant velocity (CV) carbs. They're almost impossible to get right once their airbox is removed.

Good call!

  Kennyb357 said:

98 Shadow Ace 750 I did back in 06. The possibilities are endless.

Nice, but not sure how cheap that would be. Got a pretty small budget for this.

I will look into them.

[Kennyb357]

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/features/0512_crup_1998_honda_shadow_750/photo_04.html

More pics of Shadow.

[max power]

  Kennyb357 said:

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/features/0512_crup_1998_honda_shadow_750/photo_04.html

More pics of Shadow.

This is yours?

[SquareHead]

Max, did you get my PM?

Agree with the other posts about cheap bobber platforms. Lot's of possibilities. I really like the XS650, though.

Check this out: http://www.xs650chopper.com/

[wantahertzdonut]

I've tossed the idea around of messing with an XS850 simply for the noise factor, but prices have been too high on running examples to make it worth chopping up.

[Kennyb357]

Max, it WAS mine, sold it in 06. She was a serious runner. Have done several projects since then. hit me up.

[20thGix]

This would be a good start on the cheap.

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/3713409426.html

Assuming there is a title.

[max power]

  20thGix said:

This would be a good start on the cheap.

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/3713409426.html

Assuming there is a title.

Nice find.