Better Beaters - Building Cars and Daily Drivers

 Early, versus Later Sportster designs: Part Two.

Brutal Elegance.

So what result exactly, would I be trying to achieve? The brutal simplicity of a vintage board track racer is the image that I dream of. Of course I can't build an exact replica, it could not be driven on the street. However, it is the essence, or spirit of the bike that I would like to channel. 

In many ways the board track bike is similar to antique Speedster automobile. Both are racing type vehicles stripped to their bare essentials. The board tracker displays two big open lacy spoke wheels, a big V twin engine nestled low in the frame, a long low tank, and a minimal seat. The low, down turned bars are also an identifying feature. 

This is a similar era early teens HD modified in the "cut down"
fashion. It's a 100 year old hot rod scooter.

The bike pictured above is an actual vintage 1915 ish model that was modified in the late 20's or '30s. Riders would take an old obsolete model, strip it down and restyle it to look more like a current model. The bikes were cheap, sturdy, and available. Larger wheels were used front and rear to gain extra ground clearance. The back of the gas tank was shortened and the seat was moved forward. the long tiller type bars were replaced. The large shrouded fenders, big seats, rear stands, mufflers, crash bars and other dress up items were deleted. That saved weight and gave an aggressive look to the bike, which was street ridden. These bikes were easily stripped of lights and mufflers to compete in off road events. The rider was emulating the style of the Board Track and Flat track bikes. 

Bob Jobs are not restricted to Harleys.
This is an effective transformation of a Honda.

The tradition of "bobbing" an older motorcycle continues on into the modern age. Many riders try to build a "Bob job" out of an amazing variety of modern cycles. Sometimes it works, most of the time it falls short.

There's a lot of money invested in the front end.
Deleting the rear fender is not a good idea!

Here's a bike that I found for sale on CL. The frame extensions that support the rear fender have been cut off. The rear fender has been totally eliminated and the seat remains in the original location. This achieves a "Bob tail" appearance. You'll often see a fender mounted directly to the swing arm, these nestle very close to the tire. 

The bike is an early 2000's model. The oil and battery and nestled into the rear frame in the triangulated section. By this time HD had massaged the shape of the oil tank into a more horizontal design. I think that it is an improvement visually.

The older pre '79 design hung the oil tank off the side of the frame. The new design is much cleaner. It's a bit of a toss up.

Note the oil tank.

Both of these bikes have omitted the rear fender struts.
Both showcase the front and rear wheels and the engine.

Of course Harley Davidson had to build their own factory bobber, the "48." 

I prefer the original design of the "48' that featured wire wheels.
I think that these are really good looking bikes.

The Forty Eight model Sportster is named after the traditional XLCH Sportster tank, which was originally used on the '48 Harley 125cc Hummer. By this time, in the  early 2000's, HD had adopted a bigger version of the tank that echoed the lines of the old XLCH tanks. The larger, 3.2 gallon capacity was a real improvement.

The most startling thing about these bikes was the use of the fat 16 inch tire up front. I initially thought that it was identical to the 16 inch rear tire, like earlier Electra Glide models, but it is a bit narrower with a more beveled tread profile.

Initially I did not like this design. I preferred the Custom models that featured a narrow 21 inch laced wheel up front. However, over time I grew to appreciate the "Bobber" lines that emphasized big wheels and simple lines.

The "48" was a very popular bike, with good sales numbers and it is now a popular starting point for custom Bobber builds.

A customized "48" featuring the stock 2.2 gallon tank

This "48" appears to have an altered 4.5 gallon tank.

This sports a flat tracker type of vibe.

From a more practical point of view, a bike from the early 2000's would prove to be the best choice. They are new enough to be able to find one in good condition with low mileage. They are old enough to have depreciated down to affordable pricing. The old "Ironhead" models are now rising in value. They are now collectible antique bikes, and the latest models are at least thirty years old! The term Ironhead was not used back in the day that I rode them in the mid '70's through 1990's.  At first it struck me as an affectation. But after thinking about it for a while, I concluded that it's not a bad term. It clearly differentiates them from the later Evolution powered models. 

I'm keeping my eyes open for a good deal on a good bike. I'd rather not have to rebuild a motor completely or piece together a basket case. It would be nice to buy something that is in good condition and rideable from day one.

Yes, I've accepted that it won't end up looking like a board tracker, but maybe someday I might build up a rigid frame example that didn't need to be street-able as a pure custom.