to bob or not?

I am wanting to turn my stock 1978 kz650b into a bobber.
but i have no idea where to start any idea guys?

DONT, They dont make them any more. Keep it around, Turn a suzuki or yamaha to a "BOB"

mzandmz wrote:

DONT, They dont make them any more. Keep it around, Turn a suzuki or yamaha to a "BOB"

+1 DON´T:ohmy:

+1 on a vote of not. Find yourself an XS650, there's a LOT more out there to do one of those up right. IMHO the 650 frame just doesn't look right bobbed or chopped. Not to say it can't be done well, but you'll have a lot easier time making a bad ass bobber out of something like an XS.

If it was junked, bare frame start, or a totaled POS then BOB away but yours is not! Too purdy for that...

Seriously, there's only one KZ I would even consider bobbing and that's a KZ1000 Police bike for it already has a front & rear that is similar to a bobbed theme.

But as we always say here, your bike hack away if this is truly what you desire...

OMR

Bobbers are played out. Inlines never look right as a Bobber anyway. These inline fours have an entire look of there own. Thats why they keep going up in value. They mark a era. Even a 350 Four Honda commands a high dollar these days. I say leave it alone. Buy an old Triumph that has already been cut up and make it your own...Russ

+2 for no BOB.

KZs make terrible bobbers in the sense that they will never look thin and light. There is a 4 cyclinder engine in there to get in the way. An xs650 or KZ750 twin if you want a kawaski but not an inline motor bike. Then again to each is own you asked the question and we respond but really up to you to do what you want with your own bike. Good luck on the project.

Keith,
If you're tired of the KZ650 why not sell it and buy something that needs a little work and would be more in keeping with the look you're after. Others have suggested a Yamaha XS650, which I think would make a better bobber. Not trying to offend anyone, but a big wide 4 cyl engine in a bobber (or cafe for that matter) looks awkward. Since you'll be making a bunch of changes you don't really need to worry about getting a Yama in pristine stock condition as long as the engine's ok, so the $$ will be low. Ed

thank you everyone for the response...i think i will not cut in up...i do enjoy the way it looks it would look good bobbed to me but it runs like a champ and has no problems so i better leave it be..thanks to all

Meh...
Either way. It's your bike. I say make it unique to you. Unless of course you are concerned with resale value.

It's funny that I hear about bobbers being overdone. It must be a location thing. I live in Wisconsin and have yet to see one on our roads. That is my motivation to build one. My KZ440 gets here this weekend and begins the chop nearly immediately.

Not in any way saying that any of you guys are wrong at all.

I will agree though... If I had a choice for my donor bike (friend is basically giving it to me)it would certainly be a honda or yami. Much easier to find parts for. But building, fabricating and solving issues is 1/2 the reason one does a "bob" IMO.

bob it , bikes are a personal thing , its your bike and its you that will ride it , yes you might upset some people but it aint their bike is it

Check out www.wrenchmonkees.com/ and check out their bikes. These aren't bobbers or cafe style but have a great look all their own. I agree about the bobber style being "played out." Too many modern bikes have been styled to look old and sometimes can look ok but most times the two generations clash. On the other hand, a '52 HD panhead bobber would never go ot of style.