working on my Bobber project...
 

Hi all!

Just joined the forum - what a great site. I bought my GZ 3 weeks ago in great shape with 11k miles on it from a craigslist ad - specifically to try my hand at creatin' a sweet old-school bobber type ride. :)

Got it home and started taking it apart. I used mountain bike handle bars for 'drag bars', a house gas vent cover from HomeDepot for air intake cover, and part of a golf-ball picker upper :roll: for the exhaust pipe. Plus rattle can paint...and a trailer tail light from Walmart :tongue:

Anyways, she looks awesome and rides excellent - i love the short bars too. People constantly think it's a bigger bike of some type...always asking "What is it?". And it's a completely stock GZ so it's dependable & economical to ride. I guess it's a "Commuter Bobber"... :retard:

I'll post more pics when I get time... You can see in this collage picture that i've gotten a lot more done.

Things I plan to do before selling it to finance a bigger bike bobber:
a) paint on wide white walls
b) find a different seat (more in the bobber style)

Have fun & enjoy!
mark

Re: working on my Bobber project...
 

WOW

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I dig it!

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Welcome.Very sharp.How did you do the flames?

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nice

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Looks good, great actually, certainly different, but a few questions - How legal is that without rear view mirrors, horn, turn signals? Does it have to be inspected where you live or what happens if a cop sees you? How's the new exhaust sound, what did you make it out of?, and I assume it didn't change much how it runs.

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Re: working on my Bobber project...
 

Thanks for the kind remarks everyone :)

I am having a great time doing the project, especially being creative and resourceful with the parts & tools I have to work with. I'm working on a new seat now, instead of buying one. I bought some black vinyl material and already had the foam & duct tape & cardboard...still in the design phase for the moment.

I do agree with you kraznos - it's more of a bobber mini-bike, really. But it's half the cost of one of those Kikker 5150 Hardknocker bobber/choppers and I don't really trust those things - despite how cool they look. There is several around here for sale at $1700-2000 ! check 'em out here if you don't know what i'm talking about: http://www.oldschoolhardknock.com/index.html

Seeing those hardknockers (heehee) got me started down this road 3 or 4 years ago. But I like the fact that Suzuki makes good bikes and parts can be had easy enough - vs those hardknockers where you don't know what you're getting or how long it'll last - and they seem even MORE like a mini-bike to me...the new V-twin model looks awesome.

On to the questions -

How legal is that without rear view mirrors, horn, turn signals?
------- Not sure, don't really care. I know several Harley guys that have stripped down bikes too, so if I get a ticket - oh well. I have all the parts to put back on...

Does it have to be inspected where you live or what happens if a cop sees you?
------- I've rode past a couple cops - not been stopped yet. It's louder than hell :) :) :) so I try to coast easy past the fuzz. No inspections here in Colorado - unless you bring it in from out of state - then they do a VIN inspection when you get your title.

How's the new exhaust sound, what did you make it out of?
--------- as mentioned, It's loud - very satisfyingly so, in fact. Had several guys comment in a positive way on the cool sound. Yes - i've got no back pressure, so don't let off the gas to coast to a stop (pop-pop-pop-pop!) - still runs great. I didn't ride it enough in the stock configuration to know if it lost power or what the change did.

The exhaust is made from one of these my boss had lying around collecting dust at work (it must've been 15 years old or more): http://www.lakegolf.co.uk/ekmps/shops/b ... -135-p.jpg

I call it my "machine gun" exhaust - reminds me of some WWII gun sticking out of a fighter's wing...

The flames are a simple stencil of a single "flame" I cut in some stiff cardboard tracing canning jar lids for the circular elements. I can't draw round things by hand worth a damn.
Then I used some "Jade" satin paint and sprayed each flame on - one at a time. The stencil has 1" edges that stick up to catch most of the overspray that would otherwise land on what you're painting. Honestly I was going for a lighter touch with them - like the front fender, which I did last. But I really like them...

Well back to the seat build...you all enjoy the day!

-- Mark

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Just a few pics from recently....enjoy!

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Okay, I really like the exhaust in those last pictures. Looks very industrial.

Very nice job.

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I was thinking the same thing about the whole bike, I dig it. And it looks like it is completely ready for the set of a Mad Max movie, which in this case is a good thing. :2tup:

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Thanks guys!

That first exhaust I tried was nothing more than the telescoping pickup tube from a 55 gallon drum pump (i get these at work for free) like this: http://www.lyndist.com/drum_pumps/381.jpg

It worked ok (I rode 60 miles with it) - but I didn't get the lower telescoping part to quit rattling before I found the 'machine gun' tube and decided to go that route.

The seat construction was real easy with nothing more than hot glue, staples, 2 layers of cardboard, duct tape, white beaded insulation foam & 18" x 24" piece of black vinyl from fabric store. I also put in a support beam from an aluminum 'L' piece I had left from fabricating the tail light support pieces. The aluminum support beam is duct taped to the seat itself and uses 2 factory screw holes for easy mounting to the bike frame. It's more comfy than it looks...


Fun fun fun! Been riding it a bit too - seat is comfy enough so far, stiff but not unbearable at all :2tup:


gotta go ride some more !! :rawk:

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Hey i'm looking to do the exact same thing to my GZ250 can you contact me. I saw your youtube post but there aren't to many details.
send me your information on how to contact you if possible. I'm looking to see what kind of handle bars fit the GZ250, the new horn, if you were able to get a new fender. I was thinking about contacting bluecollar bobber and getting a kit but they only have kits for the suzuki S40.

This is the weblink for bluecollar
http://bluecollarbobbers.com/web/index. ... &Itemid=24

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This board has a PM capability, just send him a PM.

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Did you have to replace the cables and front brake line to use the flat drag bars?
Very nice job!
Thanks, Jon

Re: working on my Bobber project...
 

I like BlueCollars stuff - pretty pricy too. And a limited number of bikes they sell kits for. but you can do-it-yourself for a lot mods and that's (for me) part of the bobber fun.

HOW TO DO EASY DRAG BARS ON YOUR GZ 250:

1) remove the handle bars from your cheap Mongoose mountain bicycle you got at Walmart. (they are 7/8" diameter - perfect fit) If you don't have one of those - go to the local bike store and get some bars from their used stock parts bin. My local bike store had probably 15 different styles of used handlebars in stock. Since i took the bars off my bicycle, i had to buy replacement bars and they were only 8 bucks!

2) get slightly longer bolts for your stock GZ250 bar mounts (at ACE hardware, i think they are 5mm x 1.5 inches long)

3) Once you've got the new bars mounted, then re-mount the clutch & brake handles and grips on the mountain bike handle bars. It's a tight fit - you gotta move & rotate things around until it fits. You'll have to remove the turn signal wire plug (which you don't need anymore anyway), and the brake light wire plug will need to be altered because it's such a tight fit on the new 'drag bars'...
-- you do NOT need to replace or modify ANY cables for this - took a couple hours at most.

4) That's about it. The bar is so short it doesn't even extend all the way through the grips - but it's solid and safe and i've ridden it 200 miles like this. I really like riding position and it's a lot of fun to tuck down on this and rip along at 60 mpg...anyway - it feels like you're going fast...

HOPE that answers your questions!

see ya,
Mark

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Did you have any problems with the clutch cable or the throttle cable binding a bit? I also had to change the position of the hydraulic line for my brakes to make clearance.

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I know this is a really old thread but i just watched your video on youtube lol and i recognized you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urDIUFPIGz4 you should've made a vid on how you made that machine gun exhaust!!

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seventigers;

I really don't think bicycle handlebars should be used on a motorcycle as they are not strong enough. They tube wall is not thick enough and are not the proper grade (read strong enough) steel. This is not the place to save money.

Also, WTF are you going to do when your grips (that don't go all the way on) slide off into your hand in a turn? There is a reason that motorcycle & bicycle parts are sold in different places for different prices.

You are sacrificing safety for dollars. It's your ass, you can do with it what you'd like, but I don't condone or recommend your "budget" mods.

:tdown:

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i totally agree with sarris, no a good idea at all

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Add me to the list of those who think bicycle handlebars should not be used on a motorcycle.


:)

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Hey guys!

Thanks for the critical input...it's interesting to different people's opinions are on this. I disagree, of course. ;)

I would agree that for large amounts of unsupported bar length, (example: ape hangars) you've got more bar, more leverage, more possible vibration issues, etc - you CANNOT use bike bars. I know I would not...the safety issue there seems obvious to me, as it does most bikers...

However, for this light weight bike, as drag bars, this use of bicycle bars works great, is safe and tight and after over 400 miles of summer cruising these bike 'drag bars" are still on tight and safe, no slips, no rattles, no issue of any kind.

Really, i think if you guys experienced riding with these bars on you'd all agree there's not much to be concerned about...empirically speaking, I've done it - it's ok.

That said - INSERT DISCLAIMER HERE - DO NOT modify your bike from stock condition at any time or you always risk getting yer body broke up bad. Experimenting with golf industry parts for exhaust, house vents for air cleaner housing and bicycle handlebars is not normal. Neither is Rob Dyrdek, Ricky Carmichael, Ken Block or other hot rodders. These mods are untested and experimental and can result in headaches, swollen membranes, disease & ichy red bumps. Oh, and death.
I am a professional on a closed circuit track with safety airbags and emergency medical nurses riding shotgun in their stockings and high heels. :)

How about this: Who would ride with NO rear fender on at all?! Yikes! Major tire burn on my arse! but - looks cool as hell...

Have a great day,
Mark

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!

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I'd never "bob" my bike, but yours looks more interesting than most I've seen on here. I don't know shit about the relative safety of bicycle vs motorcycle bars, of course, and if I had to pick an opinion, I'd probably take Sarris's. That being said, I agree with your attitude - riding motorcycles is fun AND dangerous.

There's a lot of divides on here (ATTGATT, modders, helmets, re-jetters, etc.) but I hope you'll keep posting even if we give you a lot of shit about your passion. (It DOES look pretty cool!)

Can you hook me up with those nurses?

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Just high heels and stockings !! How can you tell they are nurses ?

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They got those little nurse hats on...

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Interesting uniform. Suddenly I feel a fever coming on.

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Thanks guys for your support, too. The great thing about forums is they are open to anyone that wants to post almost anything - a free flow of ideas, and critiques, too. All are welcome, in my opinion.

kraznos - thank you! my next project (as you suggested) is going to be a V-twin much like that awesome beast you have built. I love the GZ250 - but after much cruising this summer it's just a bit smaller than I decided I want. So I'll sell it on craigslist and save money this winter and hopefully find a bike like a Sportster (i LOVE the new Harley 48 model - very cool - not what I can buy, but it's sweet) or a Vulcan Classic or Vstar Classic to bobber out...gotta have that fat front tire though...I dig that too much...


...and those nurses...http://naughtynurseoutfit.net/ :twisted:

(almost hard to believe there's a website for this kinda specialized thing...)

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Been a long while...but spring weather made me think of riding more and finishing this paint job idea I had over the winter.

Decided to do an Army style paint job :2tup: - and it turned out awesome!! In my opinion...anyways! Love the black out look - wish i had some fork boots too...gotta get those someday.

But this one's for sale now so i can finance the next project...still watching Craigslist for a V-twin to bob (my budget is tight and i haven't found one yet).

Short video of "going green" -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnj9YaZHLdo

Thanks for looking - enjoy!

Mark

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Looks good in the military theme. Couple questions though. 1st, is it legal to go without signal lights in your state ? 2nd, the white fender in the pic looks familiar to this old guy. Is that what I think it is and how about a little history and more pics.

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Thanks man. Not really legal in Colorado - but the fuzz don't hassle ya much here....the scary part is riding after dark (with flat paints). I'm selling it now - but I would hesitate to ride after dark much...talk about low visibility - eh? ! :skull:

That car fender is none other than a 1961 Rambler American 2 door hardtop. It's in great shape, flathead 6 cyl with automatic. Funky old machina... :lol:


Mark

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Love the paint scheme! That star on the tank really caps it off. :2tup:

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That car fender is none other than a 1961 Rambler American 2 door hardtop. It's in great shape, flathead 6 cyl with automatic. Funky old machina... :lol:


But a top of the line in it's day. I had a 64 330 sedan with the last of the flathead engines. Great beer drinking car for a teenager with a girlfriend. Warm at 40 below even in your underwear.

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Your bike looks awesome, great job.

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I don't know if anybody is aware, but the Obama Admin has allocated money for "Motorcycle Only" stop/check points to the states to set up check points and issue tickets. Great huh? GA recently accepted the money and had set up random check points....especially during the Daytona Beach Rally. It's a great revenue raiser.


:)

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I dig that color scheme. It was the primary reason I purchased the one I got last week.

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People who aren't breaking the law have nothing to worry about.

Same as car check points. Just have your crap the way it should be and it doesn't matter. The reason they are good revenue makers is because so many people are skirting by without the proper stuff. If people would follow the rules, there would be no reason to push enforcement, regardless of administration.

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Just read, in today's newspaper, that in England the government is forcing a bill through, that will allow them to take action against uninsured cars sitting in your garage! All insurance is recorded in a central file, so if a vehicle is registered in your name, but insurance doesn't show up it's an immediate £100 ($150?) fine. If you don't purchase insurance immediately, then as well as the fine, the vehicle will be towed away & crushed. Great for someone in hospital or on vacation when renewal time comes up, having to insure a vehicle on your own property, & not being used on the road. Another moneymaking scheme, or what? :cry:

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Ah, the old "if you aren't doing anything wrong you don't have anything to worry about" let our gov't walk all over us speel.


:)