Dave's Bobber Project

[goddarddr]

Thanks for the feedback Billy. I am currently focused on getting my seat mounted comfortably and wondering about mounting the battery where the right cover is and hiding the electronic's in the hole the battery left behind. just Thinkin Out Loud. anyone hear?

like this bike

[goddarddr]

here's pic's of my seat bracket that I made from 2 pieces of 1.5" angle steel bolted together and to the frame. it raised the rear of the seat and made a more comfortable ride. it might just work.






I have been thinking about mounting the battery on the right side. I did a mock-up and found that there is plenty of room.

[Chadsquats]

The battery move looks great. Are you going to have to get longer battery cables? Did you have to cut any of the plastic? How are you going to secure the battery in place? It seems like it would be an easier mod than moving the ignitor and fuse box like some knuckle-draggers have done.

[goddarddr]

Now that I know there is room, I will be finding the answeres to these questions. I do have a simple idea on the mount, drill and tap 4 holes and 2 pieces of flat stock and a strap. at a glance I don't think I will need longer cables. (? might) I did removed the plastic tool box. I figure I will put the ignitor and fuse box in the battery box. I like the look of the side mount battery. I wonder which ones of the wires could be eliminated? like a bowl of spegetti under there. : ) There is some ugly welds that could be grounded smooth. I think I will cut off the passenger peg mounts too.Sounds like you have some idea's about your fender mounting. It will be worth the wait.

[Chadsquats]

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress. Have fun.

[billymac814]

Question, did you have to cut your kick stand when you lowered your bike?

[goddarddr]

No, I have read that lowering I would, but it works fine. I used the scootworks low rider kit it is adjustable 1"-3", mine is on the 3". I am short but I have feet flat on the road now. I had to mod the shock with the spacer kit.

[IMB4U]

The kickstand only needs to be replaced when you lower the front as well. I have mine lowered 2" in the front and 2" in the back and had to get a vulcan 900 kickstand or the bike would be straight up and ready to tip.

[artz]

man...this is gettin' good !

[goddarddr]

My bike is lowered 1" in the front & is ok with stock stand. here is a pic with improved seat position

In this pic, I have the bike leaning to the right on a block for leveling picture. don't mind the kick stand , it is off the ground

[billymac814]

Looking good, I got mine back together in a rush to take it and get it pinstripped however I don't think I'm going to do it. I'm going to go down and watch though and maybe I'll change my mind. I'll post pics of the painted lowers when I get back

[goddarddr]

Thanks for posting. Pin stipe? I never thought of that. stay in touch and lets see your pic of painted lowers. what is that black thing between your front forks? The majic paint they carry at the tennessee farmers co-op. but the one I checked didn't have flat black. less than $4 a can.
Later, Dave

[jim gamble]

I have 2 1600 meanstreaks 04 and 05. I am trying to raise the handlebars up and back a little to save the back a bit on those 500 mile days. Dealer tells me I have to switch the bars out completely since they are welded. I know I once saw a meanstreak in Bend Or dealer ( no longer there!!) that had risers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. leaving in a trip through Alberta/BC in August and would like to be a bit more comfortable but not too radical!! Thanks

[billymac814]

Originally Posted by goddarddr

Thanks for posting. Pin stipe? I never thought of that. stay in touch and lets see your pic of painted lowers. what is that black thing between your front forks? The majic paint they carry at the tennessee farmers co-op. but the one I checked didn't have flat black. less than $4 a can.
Later, Dave

Well I decided against the pin stripping for now, mainly because my bike got filthy on the way because it was raining and i went through some mud. I'm going to look at some more bikes similar to mine with it before I make a decision.
That thing between my forks is a bandana. I didn't care much for the black lowers until I put the bandana back on, I like it now though.
The paint is Matte black and runs about 3.50 for a spray can or is available by the quart or gallon. If for some reason you cant find anything that will hold up I could ship you some for whatever it costs for the paint and shipping. I used about 4 cans to do everything. So with sandpaper tack cloths, primer and everything my paint job cost about 25 bucks. The pictures I took didn't turn out good but you get the point. I can never get pictures to upload right so if it doesn't work here's the link

Picasa Web Albums - billy - 5/9/09 vn800

[billymac814]

Originally Posted by jim gamble

I have 2 1600 meanstreaks 04 and 05. I am trying to raise the handlebars up and back a little to save the back a bit on those 500 mile days. Dealer tells me I have to switch the bars out completely since they are welded. I know I once saw a meanstreak in Bend Or dealer ( no longer there!!) that had risers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. leaving in a trip through Alberta/BC in August and would like to be a bit more comfortable but not too radical!! Thanks

If you have T bars then you don't have risers and will have to replace them with risers and new bars. My girlfriends bike has those kind of bars.

[streak07]

Originally Posted by billymac814

If you have T bars then you don't have risers and will have to replace them with risers and new bars. My girlfriends bike has those kind of bars.

Well no, you can get kewl metal or scootworks or genmar risers for it. Jim, start a new thread for questions like this, it has nothing to do with his bobber. Thread jacking bad.

[goddarddr]

Billy, the bandana does that keep the water off your face? The other day I was ridin went through a wet spot got water in my face, Im glad a had my full faced helmet on. Oh well part of the fun, I normally avoid the rain. also my half rear fender didn't keep my back dry either. : ), I like your black lowers, I appreciate the paint offer, I will check around town first. Do you use a paint primer?

[billymac814]

Originally Posted by goddarddr

Billy, the bandana does that keep the water off your face? The other day I was ridin went through a wet spot got water in my face, Im glad a had my full faced helmet on. Oh well part of the fun, I normally avoid the rain. also my half rear fender didn't keep my back dry either. : ), I like your black lowers, I appreciate the paint offer, I will check around town first. Do you use a paint primer?

The bandana doesn't really help with that, It might a little bit but I still get soaked front and back everytime I'm on wet roads. I cut down my front fender and painted it black to use when it's raining but found that after it was cut it doesn't keep the water from flying up either. I guess thats the price we pay for looking cool!
Yes I use primer, same brand as the paint. I usually give the primer 2 coats then use a scuff pad on it, then paint 2 coats and scuff pad it then paint 1 or 2 more coats and let it sit for a few days then use the rubbing compound and then the polishing compound and it comes out as smooth as flat paint can be.

[goddarddr]

Gota look Kool, I noticed in West Eagle's catalog, they have a thing that velcor's to the front fork keep the water from hitting your face. be handy for a rainy day.

[billymac814]

do you happen to have a link? I'd be interested in something like that, I doubt I'd order one but could probably make something similar if I could see it.