Bobber Motorcycles

About Bobber

Bobber or the so-called bob-job evolved from an earlier type of American custom motorcycle, the 'Cut Down', which appeared in the late 1920s, and which was based on the Harley-Davidson 'J' series v-twin. At that time there were enough motorcycle fans who wanted bikes with improved performance and modern appearance. And so ‘he cut-down’ was born with removed front fender and shortened rear. It’s also characterized be a modified frame with lowered tube and shortened wheelbase. As a result, there was a lower, shorter and lighter vehicle. 

The first bob-jobs appeared in the mid-1930s, and tended to reflect their somber competition origins, with plain paint jobs and no extra chrome or decoration.

Soon after World War II, bob-jobs as well as hot rods, became essential motorbikes for custom decorative modifications. Such modifications as wild paint jobs, a smaller gas tank, raised handlebars, and exhaust pipes which turned upwards at the rear became the standard for bob-jobs, which grew in popularity both as show bikes and ordinary road bikes. The bob-job evolved through the 1950s and 60s and usually reflected the aesthetic tastes of their owners, and were exclusively home-built, there being no commercially produced road-going bob-job available until the late 1990s. 

The bobber remains one of the most beloved custom styles for motorbikes.

Moto blog

Third Annual ‘The MEET’ at ACM

More than 2,000 attendees visited America’s Car Museum for its 3rd annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival ‘The MEET’ last weekend in Tacoma, Washington, where over 300 motorcycles and scooters were showcased on the Haub Family Field at LeMay. The event drew pre-1981 motorcycles and scooters from the U.S. and Canada, including an antique motorcycle display, swap meet, cruise-in and a 78-mile roundtrip tour from ACM’s Anderson Plaza to Mt. Rainier.

2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Concourse d’ Elegance Report

The 2014 edition of the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continued its now 23-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America with producer photographer Jim Gianatsis moving the show this year to the beautiful green lawns of the Malibu Golf Course among the twisty canyon roads in the Santa Monica Mountains alongside the Pacific Ocean. Highlighting this year’s exciting activities was the emergence of another new and soon to be renown custom bike builder to the sport for which the Calendar Show is known for cultivating. Taking Best of Show in this year’s Calendar Bike Building Championship was Calin Senciac’s Imagine Vehicles International / ImagineVehicles.com motorsports fabrication shop with an incredible custom billet aluminum designed chassis built by Terry Ward and the shop crew, housing a legendary 1979 Honda CBX 1047cc air-cooled in-line 6-cylinder engine.

2014 Lito Sora Electric Motorcycle Entering Production

Canadian company Lito Green Motion announced the start of production for its SORA electric motorcycle. Described as a cafe racer with a bobber twist, the Lito SORA claims a top speed of 118 mph and a range of 124 miles in the city and more than 52 miles at highway speeds. Visually, the Lito SORA stands out from other electric motorcycles.

LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Moves To Malibu

The 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues for its 23rd year with the Calendar Bike Building Championship, Concours d’ Elegance, top celebrity builders, selected vendors and exhibitors, and the Calendar Girl music show. As always, the show will kick off the world premier of next year’s new 2015 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world’s top road race and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the calendars in attendance at the show. The Calendar Show relocates this year to the beautiful green event lawn of the exclusive Malibu Golf Course, located at 901 Encinal Canyon Road.

Steve McQueen’s Von Dutch Customized Bikes to be Auctioned Tomorrow

Here’s an opportunity to own motorcycles associated with Steve McQueen and Von Dutch - need we say more? Get your credit cards out because tomorrow, January 9, 2014, will see a 1923 Indian Big Chief with Princess Sidecar owned by McQueen and fully restored by Von Dutch put on the auction block at the Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction. Previously sold at the Steve McQueen Estate Sale in Las Vegas in 1984, the 74cu (1200cc) Indian is “capable of reaching speeds of 90mph.” If McQueen’s coolness factor isn’t enough, having the notoriety of Von Dutch’s restoration is the icing on the cake.

2013 Star Bolt Custom Build-Off – Video

Star Motorcycles has done everything a company can to attract attention to the Bolt. Well, everything short of the Oprah-esque trick of telling a crowd to look under their seats for the key to their new bikes. Instead, Star approached a group of 10 customizers that reads like a Who’s Who of the bike modification world, and supplied them with stock Bolts and a deadline.

Öhlins USA Suspension Cirkus of Speed Tomorrow, September 28

Rain or shine, the second annual Öhlins USA Cirkus of Speed will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Did we mention it’s free?

Öhlins USA Cirkus of Speed Is Saturday, September 28

Rain or shine, the second annual Öhlins USA Cirkus of Speed is Saturday, September 28, 10:00am to 3:00pm, in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Need reasons to come? First of all it’s free, including “Police Rodeo” star Ben Wolfe, of Lock & Lean, performing precision motorcycle riding.

2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Report

The 22nd edition of the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show marked its return to the Queen Mary Seawalk Village in Long Beach, California with hometown boy Sam Baldi taking the Bike Building Championship’s Best of Show trophy with a Jimmy Todorovith/Profile Cycles built Big Twin custom named “Lost Angel.” This year’s Calendar Show showcased not only top builders but selected vendors and exhibitors, and of course the Calendar Girl Music live performances. And as always, this year’s show celebrated the world premiere of the 2014 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars, featuring the world’s top SBK World Superbikes, sport and cafe bikes, and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens. On hand throughout the day to meet with fans and pose for pictures were Calendar Kittens Apple Price, together with official SBK World Superbike grid girls Jessica Harbour and singer/songwriter Sarah Horvath.

Gladstone Motorcycles to Produce Bespoke British Bobbers

Television presenter Henry Cole has ridden countless motorcycles as host of the British Travel Channel’s “World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides” program for 11 series, but he’ll soon be introducing a line of motorcycles of his own with his new Gladstone Motorcycles company. Named for Cole’s great-great-uncle, four-time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, the new firm will produce limited runs of hand-built bespoke motorcycles. The company’s first model will be the Gladstone No.