Transforming 1980 maxim-I into rat/bobber

Im new to motorcycles in general. I recently bought my first bike, 1980 maxim I. It's been a fun bike but I have been decking it out the last few weeks and now I'm getting into it a little beyond my knowledge, I have a lot of questions and if you can answer one or all I am open to all suggestions.

1. Can I remove the seat bar? (thing with the helmet lock, looks like a small sissy bar )

2. What lights/reflectors can I legally remove and where can I buy ones that are smaller and don't stick out as much, if I can't remove them legally (understanding laws vary state by state, even county to county)

3. Where can I get a different handlebar, how do I buy one, how hard are they to swap out?

4. Where can I get a bobber seat and are they universal?

5. What tools do I use to cut back the rear fender?

6. How can I make it sound meaner?

7. How hard is it to take off gas tank? Tips on that?

Any help you can give me is welcome, thank you for looking!
-Jason

 

you need to search. what model bike do you have? cc's?

 

Maxim I 660 cc

 

Well, your in for a fun ride. Tweaking a bike brings out the artistic side of anybody and its fun seeing how they turn out. To answer some of your questions...

1) are u talking about the helmet lock bolted to the frame? Just unscrew it

2) to best answer this first check your local laws to find out what's lawful. You can change out parts from custom shops littering the internet or check ebay

3) bars are not hard to swap up but ailment is different. Apes for example have gas tank clearance but u need to get longer cables. Drag bars are easy but may not clear the tank. You can get them from custom shops, make them, get from ebay, Craigslist...ect

4) most "bobber" seats are actually retro fitedt using springs or the like unless its just screwed to the frame but usually need modifications to fit. And like the others, check custom shops and ebay

5) easiest way is to use cutoff wheel on a grinder but make sure to follow the safety precautions

6) to make it sound meaner u can swap exhausts or make one but a carb re-jet will be needed. I would check valves, sync carbs, and get her running right before i started tweaking anything

7) gas tank dissassembly differs bike to bike but is usually a bolt or two down towards seat attached to frame. Lift up and pull out from frame grommets. Don't forget to drain the tank and block off the petcock first though.

If u would like a little hands on approach, check out my "brute bobb build" in modifications forum. Itll probably help a little

HTH!