Design discussion

donald branscom · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2012, 03:19 PM

Maybe it is just me but I have been looking at a lot of Bobbers lately with metric engines.
What many of them have is frames that are too long from the engine to the rear of the bike. I will be starting a new build thread shortly and face all of the same problems.

Sometimes all of the empty space is filled it with a oil tank and a battery, but it just seems like all the parts of the bike are not working together.

I find it hard to find a good example of a Bobber built with a aftermarket frame and metric engine that look like all of the parts fit and not just a bunch of parts thrown together.

The oval oil tank looks good then there is the HD style tanks,round tanks, different fenders and gas tanks but trying to get them to all fit together to have a finished bike
seems hard.

Some of the modified stock frames even look better that the aftermarket frames.

I like this one built by Nick. I am wishing the rear fender was glossy and black.
Stock frame or modified stock frame.

Any comments?

Dash47331 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2012, 06:05 PM

I have noticed that most of the metric builds seem to end up with what I would call the "hillclimb" influenced tail sections. The longer footprint does, most times, seem out of place. I always go back to the idea that the person who built it rides it and they did the build their way.
I'm sure that maybe the ride of the longer footprint would somewhat better than a shorter wheelbase and maybe that why it gets done that way, plus the rider can re-set the seat further back to avoid the scrunched up feeling.
My thoughts and GOD knows I have had some off the wall ones from time to time! LOL

donald branscom · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2012, 05:24 PM

Thats it? We are done?? LOl..lol

For instance here is a photo of a bike and then I added another feature to the bike. Does it help or hurt?

Bike chosen at random from the internet.

dbshea · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2012, 06:42 PM

Helps it. I agree, some bikes just look too barren in the back end. That's the issue with the one piece drivetrains, Harley transmissions fill up that emptiness well

donald branscom · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbshea

Helps it. I agree, some bikes just look too barren in the back end. That's the issue with the one piece drivetrains, Harley transmissions fill up that emptiness well

That is a good observation. something filling the space similar to the HD gear box.

Poop · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 03:52 AM

in my oh-so-humble (the humblest, i'd wager!) opinion, the bike was better with the open space. i can appreciate all kinds of scoots, but i love a bare bones chop that reminds me of a race horse, or a lean fighter.

like those race horses: long, long and lean, with muscles where it counts, and almost nothing at the waist. i know it's not everybody's style, but i kept the back of my scoot fairly open to achieve that look. i looked at my no-oil-bag/no-external-tranny setup as a positive to take advantage of, to accentuate. nobody is mistaking my scoot for an hd, and i'm not trying for them to.

Poop · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 03:59 AM

suzuki chop of my buddy's below. he went for the same open space under the seat, really lends to the bare bones, essentials-only look of the build.

i'm looking for a pic of his triumph he did. he modded the frame, but kept the swingarm stock length and modded the suspension. but by going no battery he was able to open up below the seat, and it looks great.

Poop · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 06:45 AM

i want to clarify that i'm not saying my way is right, or that another is wrong. you obviously have your own style, your own idea of what you want your bike to look like. i'm just saying that the bikes you criticized for their design might not be deficient in others' eyes; in fact, many prefer them that way, and it's not necessarily because they don't know any different.

i'm not trying to win you over, simply to point out some virtues of a design choice you seem to view as deficient. good luck with your build. look forward to another of your informative, detailed threads.

pokergolf420 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 06:53 AM

The empty space looks better to me. If you have to fill the space, fab a small ice chest and fill it with beer.

dbshea · #10 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 07:06 AM

Poop, you are totally right. It's a "to each their own" thing really. And I think the styling of the bike dictates a lot of it. Your bike (fantastic btw) has a design that really calls for that slim athletic look, and that OIF triumph is great too because it draws your attention to the frame. But my bike with the portly fat bobs would look off balance (for lack of better word) with a big gap in the frame.

donald branscom · #11 (**permalink**) 08-11-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop

(Shortened post to save space)

Poop your bike.. that first photo looks like it all works together.
Good examples shown also!
The space where some motorcycles have an air bag or transmission
has that very interesting exhaust in that space which gets a lot of
attention and that air intake too.
The seat shock also crosses that empty space instead of being
mounted on the frame directly below the seat. The leather
cover on the battery box is different, rather than a metal
box gets more attention.

I am not thinking all bikes need to look like H-D's.
I am thinking more about the total look of the bike,
and not about brands or anything.

vision · #12 (**permalink**) 08-12-2012, 05:53 PM

Every bike is gonna have some space back there and how you choose to fill that space is on of the basic factors detremining how the bikes looks. battery? oil bag? exhaust? seat suspension? wiring? storage? To me that's the fun of building a chopper.

Personally I like to leave that space as vacant as I can most of the time because it lends to a minimal feeling but with the metrics that have a longer wheelbase and an inline rather then V engine that spartan feeling can start to look more like a hillclimber with the back tire way out in another zip code. Keeping the ballance is part of the fun.

rayfin · #13 (**permalink**) 08-17-2012, 10:11 PM

78 Suzuki GS750 Bobber

I need some more feedbak on this hardtail discussion. I don't see why this wouldn't work. I am an old metal fab guy from way back. I am worried about stress cracks. FEEDBACK?

MAKO6 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-18-2012, 01:45 AM

Poop, you knocked that sucker out of the park..! Design is all about using space, symetry, proportion, and balance. It is an art rather than science, and requires a keen eye for the subtle features. When I look at your chop, I see all the elements, to include using your open space as a distinct purposeful feature of the overall design. It's very easy to confuse engineering with designing, most bikes are well engineered, some are well designed, and then there are those few which are both. Some people got it, some don't, you do.

Mak

Poop · #15 (**permalink**) 08-18-2012, 12:42 PM

thanks for the compliments, mak.

but back to donald's thread. i wasn't trying to hijack the discussion. donald has a ton of experience i do not, and i'm not pretending to know any more than him or even to have any better taste. i was simply pointing out that there is some value to the open space, to some. that's all.