Baby Bobber and public participation

**Goosifer** · 11th July 2016, 14:50

Short story long.

A while back over a holiday break, the wife and I had a go at modding her VL250... The task went fairly well, fun was had by all, but we overshot our time estimate and had to get the bike back on the road leaving some ideas unrealised.

Thereafter I bought another one to tinker with to my hearts content, that was over a year ago and still haven't gotten around to doing anything meaningful with it.

I sketched up a few ideas and thought I'd put them out there, see which ones people dislike the least

Cry havoc and let the exhaust wrapping commence

Original.

1.

2.

3.

4.

**Big Dog** · 11th July 2016, 15:26

None of them are terrible.
The 4th one may be a bit more of an acquired taste than the others.

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**Burnie** · 11th July 2016, 15:55

If you must desecrate her, then #4 is the least awful.

**Big Dog** · 11th July 2016, 16:49

I dunno, if achieved to the standard of the drawing I wouldn't mind a larger cc version of 1 or 3. Both improvements over stock aesthetically, ultimately isn't that the point to this kind of project?

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**flashg** · 11th July 2016, 16:59

I like no 1, it'll need rear brakes though, you appear to have removed them in all your design's

**admenk** · 11th July 2016, 18:47

Come on, where's the Swedish super long front end, apes and sissy bar?

**AllanB** · 11th July 2016, 19:01

No 73 is a easy(er) build by far. And looks cool. I'd question investing any funds in mono-shocks etc on one of them.

The only problem with no.73 is the bike won't live up to it's looks!

And ditch the exhaust wrap. Fucking exhaust wrap fad.

**avago** · 11th July 2016, 20:19

Pics 2,3,4 are good but Pic 1 rocks! IMHO

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**ellipsis** · 11th July 2016, 20:25

...all four are cool but #1 and #4 are the coolest...the single shock stuff is going a little far in my books...

**skippa1** · 11th July 2016, 20:45

Like em all but 1 for sure

**awayatc** · 11th July 2016, 20:58

Looking at rear shocks only 1 and 4 look reasonably do able....

Also in NZ you really need mudguards front and rear.

So maybe just leave as is and ride it more...?

**OddDuck** · 12th July 2016, 07:48

I quite like 1.

2 and 3 are stylish but as others have said, going monoshock rear is taking on quite a bit.

**Paul in NZ** · 12th July 2016, 07:52

Have you ever built a bike like this before?

If not - I would just make minimum changes and concentrate on getting the finish right and tidying up the original design without spending a fortune...

You run the danger of owning a $15,000 250 Virago otherwise.

**Goosifer** · 12th July 2016, 13:35

Hey Chaps, thanks for all the responses and suggestions.

Seems #1 is the front runner

Big Dog - More cc's would always be welcome. Aesthetical improvements are the intended side effect of this project, the main point being to get my hands dirty, do more than just the usual superficial touches and learn as much as possible.

Burnie -Yes, desecrate her I must

flashg - Who uses their rear brakes?... Seeing as I have no need for rear brakes, I also tossed all brake lights and indicators....drawings not to be taken literally

admenk...Even I have my limits.

AllanB - Not looking for easy, but don't want to be pulling my hair out either.
"The only problem with no.73 is the bike won't live up to it's looks! " - Pish!

Avago, ellipsis, skippa1, OddDuck: seems you are in good company

Awayatc- Strangely enough there doesn't seem to be any regulations on motorcycle mudguards (other than width), I'll have to come up with something suitable.

Paul in NZ - I've always worked on my own bikes, but have only done one custom build, which does fit your description .... I'll end up overspending, its pretty much a given but it will not be to that extent ... I'll chalk it up as school fees.