Used Equipment

How to Build a Metric Bobber on the Cheap

A while back I was doing design work on some clothing with the guys at Icon. They have a facility in Portland, Ore., where they work on clothing designs (if you haven’t already, check out their motorcycle jackets). When they need some fresh inspiration, they head out to the attached garage and work on their bikes. This, of course, gets their “creative juices” flowing again and they march back inside, ready to, well, create. I’ve got several good memories from that trip, but one of the things that stuck in my head was the 1976 XS650 bobber that one of those guys built.

He had taken a bike that he’d only paid a few hundred bucks for and turned it into a really cool daily rider. He kept the stock seat on the bike, repainted the frame and added some drag bars. The guy also changed out a bunch of parts — even making many of the parts himself. It was a bare-bones bike, but it had a great café-style look to it.

Seeing that bike sparked my interest, and since then I have taken it upon myself to build quite a few of these cheap metric bobbers. If you’re on a budget, and you like being mechanically creative, this is something you might want to try. All the bikes I built sold for a profit, and for the most part, I enjoyed building them. It has developed into a regular hobby, and nowadays I find myself happily bouncing from one project to another.

If you take the time to check out your local Craigslist site, you can usually find a bike listed for under $500. I’m usually looking for something that has mechanical issues that I’m familiar with. In other words, something I can fix. That would include a bad clutch, a screwed-up starter or maybe jetting issues. All these things are fairly easy to fix, and can be done on a tight budget. Besides, it’s challenging to find bikes that I don’t know too much about, because by the end of the project, I generally know the bike well.

While I’m figuring out what I want the bike to look like, I’m going over the mechanics to make sure everything works properly. It’s a good idea to check everything out while the bike’s in its original form. That way, if you’re adding parts or taking them off, it’s easier to keep track of your progress. I used to help repair bikes at off-road events, and the first thing I would ask a guy bringing me a bike with problems was, “What was the last thing you worked on?” And that would be the first place I’d go look for the problem. This step will help you quickly track down issues you run across while building the bike.

Once I have an idea in mind, I just get started — remembering to keep things simple. If the work gets too complex, a little cheap project turns into a big expensive one. For example, I’ve never been any good at painting, so I tend to grab up a rattle can of black for my bikes. I build most my parts out of scrap and, on occasion, I use parts removed from previous builds. I then pour over my J&P catalog to find parts for metric motorcycles like turn signals, handlebars, headlight and seat.

Without fail, you will run into problems as you go along, but if you stay flexible and the let the bike evolve naturally, it usually turns into something you can really enjoy. The littlest things can change the look of a bike. Simple tasks, like modifying the fenders, relocating the headlights and turn signals, or using a different motorcycle seat and bars.  Try to get creative with sourcing unique foot pegs for motorcycles. Surprisingly, all of these minor changes can have a dramatic effect on the look of the bike. Just be sure to take the time to check the clearances on all your modifications. You don’t want to end up lying in a hospital bed because your handlebars hit your tank while making a sharp high-speed turn, or your new fender rubbed a hole in your rear tire. Double-check your modifications before heading out on a long ride!

If you like being creative and fiddling around with motorcycles, this might be the hobby for you. You’re bound to improve your mechanical skill set and best yet, you get a new bike every year. And that beats stamp collecting hands down.

About the Author

Computer screw, Metric, M3-0.50 x 20mm, pack of 6 ( M3-.5×20; M3x20, M3 x 20 ) $0.79

Daihatsu Mini Truck Metric Screw NEW $0.99

(7) METRIC 4MM X 12MM PAN HEAD SCREWS, ANIMAL BOWL, MANY OTHER CARBS $0.99

Screw # 3 – Steel Screw (METRIC M4) used for Spring and Armature Bar $1.00

Screw # 1 – Crystal Screw M4 Metric used for Binding Post, on a Tattoo Machine $1.00

Screw # 2 – Steel Screw (M4) Metric used for Binding Post, Coils $1.00

SCREW, SOCKET SET M6X8MM (2PCS) METRIC $1.00

Screw # 1 – Crystal Screw M4 Metric used for Binding Post, on a Tattoo Machine $1.00

Screw # 2 – Steel Screw (M4) Metric used for Binding Post, Coils $1.00

Screw # 3 – Steel Screw (METRIC M4) used for Spring and Armature Bar $1.00

SCREW, SET METRIC M10X55 PER 4 PCS $1.00

Metric Slotted Pan Head Screws Din 85 6x16mm $1.15

Briggs and Stratton Small Metric Pan Head Screw 805009 $1.19

Metric 3 x 4 mm Set Screws Aspect # 543A $1.25

Metric 4 x 4 mm Set Screws Aspect # 544 $1.25

Metric Slotted Pan Head Screws Din 85 5x12mm $1.30

3.5 x 15mm METRIC SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREWS Pkt. 2 – DU-BRO Cat.No: 521 $1.30

3.5 x 20mm METRIC SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREWS Pkt. 2 – DU-BRO Cat.No: 522 $1.35

3.5 x 25mm METRIC SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREWS Pkt. 2 – DU-BRO Cat.No: 523 $1.40

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 3MX.50X4MM 25PCS $1.49

M3 Metric Screws Stainless Steel Socket Head M3X10 $1.50

M3 Metric Screws Stainless Steel Socket Head M3X14 $1.50

M3 Metric Screws Stainless Steel Socket Head M3X20 $1.50

M6x10 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.50

3.5 x 30mm METRIC SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREWS Pkt. 2 – DU-BRO Cat.No: 524 $1.50

M6x14 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.55

Volvo Screw Metric, P# 956061, Like 6-32 / 2708 $1.58

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 6M-1.00X10MM 25PCS $1.59

M6x16 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.60

M5 TITANIUM Ti FLAT WASHER (6Al-4V metric bolt screw fastener) IMMEDIATE SHIP!! $1.61

M6x20 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.65

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 4MX.70X6MM 25PCS $1.69

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 5MX.80X8MM 25PCS $1.69

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 5MX.80X10MM 25PCS $1.69

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 5MX.80X16MM 25PCS $1.69

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 5MX.80X 20MM 25PCS $1.69

M6 Titanium Ti Flat Washer (metric bolt screw fastener mtb bike bmx moto part) $1.69

M6x25 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.70

M3 Metric Screws Stainless Steel Socket Head M3X25 $1.75

M8 Titanium Ti Flat Washer (metric bolt screw fastener mtb bike bmx moto part) $1.75

Metric Flat Head Slotted Machine Screws 6M-1.00X12M 25PCS $1.80

M6x30 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.85

M6x35 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $1.90

NOS Screw – Hex Head with Lockwasher – Metric Course M6 $1.99

1single TruckerCo Ti titanium Bolt metric M5 x 10mm T25 torx button head screw $1.99

Associated Mounting Screws,Metric ASC6515 $1.99

Metric Slotted Pan Head Screws Din 85 4x12mm 100p $2.00

DORMAN 909-635 Metric Cap Screw Fine Thread*New* $2.00

Metric Phillips Head Machine Screws 5×12 Box of 100pc $2.10

M6x40 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $2.25

Irwin 1727 High Carbon Steel Machine Screw Thread Metric Plug Tap 6mm – 1.00 $2.29

M10 x 16mm Metric Fine (1.25 pitch) Hex Set Screws (x2) $2.34

M10 x 20mm Metric Fine (1.25 pitch) Hex Set Screws (x2) $2.34

M10 x 12mm Metric Fine (1.25 pitch) Hex Set Screws (x2) $2.34

L1034 M5 x 10mm 5 x 10 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Countersunk Screw x 10 $2.35

L1051 M4 x 8mm 4 x 8 Metric Silver Philips Cross Pan Head Screw x 10 $2.35

L1062 M4 x 16mm 4 x 16 Metric Silver Philips Cross Head Countersunk Screw x 10 $2.35

L1063 M4 x 8mm 4 x 8 Metric Silver Philips Cross Head Countersunk Screw x 10 $2.35

Metric Phillips Head Machine Screws 5×25 Box of 100pc $2.40

Duratrax DTXQ0223 Pan Head S/T Metric Screw 3mm (2 $2.44

Metric 4mm M4-0.7 x 3/8″ Torx T20 Security Screw Qty 10 $2.49

25 4mm X 10mm Slotted Pan Head Metric Machine Screws $2.49

NOS McCulloch Chainsaw Metric Screw M5 .70X16 120035 $2.50

M6x45 Metric Bolts Screws Stainless steel HEX HEAD $2.50

Metric 2.5 x 3 mm Set Screws Aspect # 542 $2.50

4x8mm Metric Set Screw R/C Parts 10pc 4mm 4*8 $2.59

Irwin 1734 High Carbon Steel Machine Screw Thread Metric Plug Tap 8mm – 1.25 $2.69

11451 TM3*5 Metric T-Head Screw 10pcs – Winner Sport $2.67

Lot of (30) Metric Laptop Screws M2x2 Phillips Low Profile Head #Q $2.75

Lot of (30) Metric Laptop Screws M2x2 Phillips Low Profile Head #R $2.75

Metric MACHINE SCREWS Flat Head Phillips – MANY SIZES! M4 M5 M6 .7 .8 1.0 Bolts! $2.80

ALLEN SCREW SOCKET METRIC BOLT M10 10mm X 40mm 1.25 NEW $2.80

L1116 M4 x 30mm 4 x 30 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

Metal M4 4mm 3 Flutes Hand Screw Thread Metric Taps Plugs 2 Pcs $2.81

2 Pcs 3mm Screw Thread Metric Plugs Taps Hand Tool $2.82

Metal M4 4mm 3 Flutes Hand Screw Thread Metric Taps Plugs 2 Pcs $2.82

L1110 M4 x 10mm 4 x 10 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

L1112 M4 x 14mm 4 x 14 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

L1114 M4 x 22mm 4 x 22 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

L1115 M4 x 25mm 4 x 25 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

L1117 M4 x 35mm 4 x 35 Metric Black Socket Allen Head Cap Screw x 10 $2.81

2 Pcs 3mm Screw Thread Metric Plugs Taps Hand Tool $2.87

Metric MACHINE SCREWS Flat Head Phillips – MANY SIZES! M4 M5 M6 .7 .8 1.0 Bolts! $2.90

Metric MACHINE SCREWS Flat Head Phillips – MANY SIZES! M4 M5 M6 .7 .8 1.0 Bolts! $2.90

Metric MACHINE SCREWS Flat Head Phillips – MANY SIZES! M4 M5 M6 .7 .8 1.0 Bolts! $2.90

25 Lot M2 5mm Nylon Pan HD Phillips metric GPU Screws $2.90

Metric Socket Screw Bolts -MANY SIZES! M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 .5 .7 .8 1.0 1.25 1.50 $2.90

Pair Metal 3mm Threading Screw Thread Metric Plugs Taps $2.91

EE 75310 NEW Marklin Metric Shouldered Screw for H0 $2.92

EE 75000 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x2.3mm Chrome $2.92

EE 75003 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x3.5mm Chrome $2.92

EE 75004 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x2.8mm Black $2.92

EE 75008 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x7.5mm Black $2.92

EE 75010 NEW Marklin Metric Screw for H0 M2x6mm Black $2.92

EE 75011 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x2.7mm Chrome $2.92

EE 75017 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x8mm Black $2.92

EE 75020 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x5mm Black $2.92

EE 75023 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M2x10mm Black $2.92

EE 75150 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M3x10mm Black $2.92

EE 75155 NEW Marklin Metric Screw f H0 M3x10mm Black $2.92