How to Build an Old Skool Bobber (Biker Basics) - Tapa blanda

Well you have seen the TV shows and seen the bikes on the street but how do you go about building your own ideal custom machine? Well if you are not gifted with untold talent or friends who are, where do you look? There are many forums and groups you can get involved in, magazines on the shelf filled with tips. But for that extra bit of inspiration and help you could do with something to take into the shed with you. This book is a very comprehensive guide to building a Bobber style bike and gives the reader a little background into the history of this style of motorcycle. The book covers just about everything you need to know about assembling your ideal bike from component shopping to the actual building of the machine with loads of step by step photographs taking you through three actual builds. There are seperate chapters on frame selection, forks-brakes and wheels, engine, transmission and primary drive. the frame and forks sections explain what to look for when buying a second-hand component, where to check for stress/repairs etc so you can build yourself a cool safe ride. it has to be said that this book is aimed primarily at the Harley and American markey but the idea's and 'how to's' shown can be transferred onto any bike build. This is mainly an assembley book rather than a full on engineering book but it does give you ideas and tips on how to go about solving those small design problems that always occur during a build. You will never become an engineer reading this but it should offer you enough advice and inspiration to build that bike of your dreams. --Brit Chopper magazine

This book is about the Old Skool vintage bobber which has standard rather than wide wheels. Chapter one starts with an introduction to the Old Skool style and includes many photos of modified vintage bikes. Chapter two covers the frames, what is available, choosing the motor and the importance of the mockup. The rake and the trail of the frame are shown in diagrams and there are several photographs of different frames. Most frames appear to be hard tail. This chapter also includes legal requirments, not specifically the bike but the components you purchase. It tells you to keep all the receipts and how to ensure no parts are stolen. The worst thing you can do is build the bike than have it taken away because of a suspected stolen compenent. Chapter three, chassis components, forks, wheels and rims. Three types of forks are looked at, the telescopic/hydraulic, the springer and the girder. Modifying and lengthening forks are covered in photos. Wheels are looked at with powder coating and chrome plating being the two main finishes. Bearings are discussed, either modern sealed bearings or the old style tapered bearings. Chapter is concluded with a quick look at tyres. Chapter four looks at breaks. The difference between disk and drum brakes are looked at, Hydraulic ratios between front and rear brakes together with the different brake fluids are examined. Chapter five is concerned about the engine. Engines and rebuilds are discussed in detail. The main thing that comes out of this chapter is that it will cost a lot of money to rebuild the engine or buy a new one. Chapter six covers the choice of transmission. Basically, the four, five , or six speed options. Included are photos of several commercially available transmissions. Chapter seven covers the primary drive. The two main types are belt or chain. A lot more people prefer the belt drive to the older chain drive. The problem with the belt drive is that it has to be tighter and so puts a lot more pressure on the bearings. There is a tendancy to run a chain or belt without a guard to make it look more mechanical. Rather them than me is all I can say. The remaining half of the book gives details of three different builds in photos. These are quite comprehensive in terms of photos and techniques. --Model Engineers Workshop Magazine

Old Skool is kool. No theme bikes here, learn how to build a real American motorcycle based on a Panhead, Shovelhead or Evo engine. Don't buy expensive new parts, build your own bobber or chopper from mix-and-match swap-meet parts. Written by Kevin Baas, the Kennedy High School shop teacher with the Build-a-Chopper class, this book takes a back-to-basics approach to motorcycle assembly. As Kevin says, "if you can't buy it cheap, adapt it, and if you can't adapt it, build it from scratch." The author explains which engines fit which frames, and which transmission and primary drive is the best fit behind a particular V-Twin. The back half of the book includes three start-to-finish assembly sequences utilizing early and early-style engines, drivetrains and components. This 144 page book uses over 350 color images to illustrate kool parts and even kooler motorcycles.