What is a Bobber?
A Bobber is basically a stock motorcycle without major modifications with all excess parts removed or shortened which do not contribute to speed and/or performance.
The stock length and rake of the front fork still intact except that most or all of the parts (i.e. "bobbed").
The Bobber is reported as being the original custom motorcycle style and started becoming very popular in the 1950’s. Bikes were individualised and often said a lot about the owner who typically carried out all the modifications themselves.
Typical traits of the Bobber style are:
- Shortened rear fender
- No front fender
- No front brake
- Stock rake of frame
- Stock or shortened fork length
- Minimal chrome
Difference between a Bobber and a Chopper
The main difference between a Bobber and a Chopper could simply be described as:
- Bobber: Things are removed and/or made shorter
- Chopper: Things are modified and extended
Choppers have long front forks and lots of chrome, and the difference between a Bobber and a Chopper is in the length and/or rake of the front fork with a Chopper having an increased rake and length of the front fork.
Straight Bobber or Custom Bobber?
Any Bobber is either a Straight Bobber or a Custom Bobber
What is a Straight Bobber?
A Straight Bobber is defined as follows:
a stock motorcycle, of which most or all parts that do not contribute to speed or performance have been removed; AND which otherwise has NOT undergone any major mechanical, structural or aesthetic modifications other than simple modifications which would improve the bike's performance during dirt track racing, such as:
- Larger diameter front wheel; and/or
- Shorter shock absorbers; and/or
- Footpegs; and/or
- Solo saddle; AND
of which no major part is more than about ten years younger than the registration date of the motorcycle.
Custom Bobbers
A Custom Bobber is a stock motorcycle, of which most or all parts that do not contribute to speed or performance have been removed; AND which has also undergone one or more major mechanical, structural or aesthetic modifications, such as:
- Hardtailed frame; and/or
- Custom frame; and/or
- Springer fork; and/or
- Ape hangers; and/or
- Sissy Bar; and/or
- Speed kit; and/or
- Disc brakes; and/or
- Custom paint job; and/or
- Elaborate pinstriping; and/or
- Lots of chromed parts; and/or
of which one or more major parts are more than about ten years younger than the original registration date of the motorcycle; AND of which the frame has not been raked, otherwise it is a Chopper.
