Bobber?

I'd say I'm probably a hypocrite. On the one hand, I'm opposed to all this deletion of things that originally shipped with the bike that people do - especially when it strikes me as "I can't figure out how the safety circuit's supposed to work, so I'll just chop it out." On the other hand, I hate carburetors, and was happy enough to delete them, and the TCI, from my bike... yet I've gone through great lengths to keep the warning system, self-cancelling turn signals, and other things that I felt were part and parcel of the Seca 750 experience.

I also must admit that it sets my teeth on edge every time I see someone posting on here about a new-to-them XJ they just got that they're intending to chop up and make a bobber of. But, as they say, there's no accounting for taste - mine as much as anyone else's. So, to that end, I'm just curious how many people have bobbered their XJ's and whether they are happy with the results.

 

Don't think mine would count as a bobber, but it's certainly not stock.

I paid $300 for it 4 years ago and I like to tinker. So I've redone it twice now. Mostly cosmetic mods, though some that wouldn't be easily reversed.

If I break it or trash it in the process to where it can't be fixed I'm only out my original $300 in my mind. All the other parts and materials I used made it mine or are safety related (tires, brakes, etc). Anyone can get a "stock" bike and that's fine there is nothing wrong with them.

One of my favorite sayings is "it's not custom if you ordered it from a catalog" I don't know where I heard it but I'll never forget it.

 

I believe that if the bike is complete and only needs a few minor upgrades then it should not be bobbed. But if it is in such bad condition that restoration is not cost effective to put it back on the road then bob it. But to take a bike that only needs a little elbow grease and/or a couple hundred dollars to get it back on the road then under no circumstances should it be bobbed. Sell it or trade it for one that is more suitable for such a project.

 

Your bike, your opinion! My bike, my opinion!!!

skillet

 

I'm with skillet.
You buy a bike, you ride a bike, you should be proud of your bike.
I can see the appeal of a stock maxim, but it is not the style of bike that I am proud to ride. My bike is pseudo-bobbed(not hard tail, no extreme mods) and I love the way it looks. It will always be a work in progress unless I win the lottery but it makes me proud to say that is my bike. My customization make me feel more like it is my own bike then something Yamaha has made for me. Though I understand there are many on here who have more effort and money into a restoration than I do have in my bob.

Cheers
Dave