Bob

Ive been wanting to build a bobber for as long as I can remember but never seriously enough to spend any money. So when this CB550 came up on gumtree I decided Id give it a crack.

It was pretty much just the motor and frame with a front end, along with a hacked out rear wheel and a box of parts. The rear end had already been cut off and a universal hardtail kit was thrown in.

I soon to it into work to strip down and blast the frame, before tacking the rear end up.

It took quite some time deciding how I wanted to run the lines and just as long to tack it up square.

I took it home to test fit everything and make sure it sat how I wanted it. Everything was pretty spot on.

Really happy to see it rolling at this stage, this was the first time I’d seen it look anything like a bike.

I spent a solid day fully welding and flushing the rear of the frame.

First mock up with the donk in. The front end really needs to be dropped.

I machined all the saddles for the seat cross member, which made it a dream to weld.

Now with the seat on and the tank mocked up its starting to take shape.

I picked up this old sportster tank from a wrecker and the lugs had been moved. I cut them off and moved them back to a similar position as what they would have been standard, I imagine.

Perfect fit,

I thorough some paint stripper on the tank bring it back to raw metal for the build period. Id love to leave it raw and clear it but theres a bit bog in the front so it would be more effort than its worth.

After welding up a few holes in the rear rim, I took them in to get blasted and powder coated.

Really happy with how they came out. I wasn’t expecting much considering the condition they where in. I got them done spokes and all and the build up around the nipples is barely noticeable.

I grabbed a few buffing wheels for my little bench grinder to have a play with. The first thing I picked up was this sprocket, and it came up quite well.

I was planning on replacing it, but its looking great now.

Pile of blasted metal in the shed ready to piece back together.

It been sitting like this for a few weeks now, Ill have to roll it out for some proper photos later on.