A bobber is a custom built motorcycle, typically bare bones and devoid of most non-essential embellishments. Bobber motorcycle kits are like a complete bike in a box, ready for a weekend mechanic to assemble, paint, add fluids, fire-up and ride away. Some bobber motorcycle kits are quite complete, allowing the builder to assemble an entire bike without any additional purchases. Other bobber motorcycle kits are known simply as rolling chassis, or a frame on wheels. These require a far more experienced custom bike builder who knows what they are doing and, just as important, where to get everything he or she will need.

Some of the most popular bobber motorcycle kits produce a Brando-esque Wild One-style bike with a nostalgic 1950s look. The Kikker 5150 Hardknock is one of these "old school" bobber motorcycle kits featuring a springer front suspension, forward controls, jockey shift (i.e. "suicide clutch"), electric start, solo seat, hydraulic disk brake, chrome plated chrome-moly frame, and a 4-speed 4-stroke engine. You can expect to pay $1500 on the low end for a good quality kit. On the high end,  there is no limit other than what you are willing to spend on the kit, accessories, upgrades, a professional paint job ... you name it.

Bobbers and bobber motorcycle kits are related to choppers in that they both take a minimalistic approach to custom bike building. This includes the characteristic rigid frame and shortened (i.e. "bobbed") rear fender. The main difference is that bobber motorcycle kits are typically built around unmodified stock frames, while a chopper frame is often cut and welded into shape. Bobber motorcycle kits usually also lack a chopper's more ostentatious asthetic, including tons of chrome, enlongated forks and other more decorative (but undeniably cool) flourishes. Bobber motorcycle kits are a good place to start for hobbyists new to bike building before moving up to a totally custom chopper.

Bobbers were originally built in the late 1940s and 1950s by servicemen returning from World War II who were looking for a little excitement. After all, suburban life probably seemed dull after storming the beaches at Normandy, or parachuting into enemy territory. And as you can imagine many soldiers developed a talent for mechanical work after repairing jeeps and a variety of other battlefield equipment. Most weren't professional mechanics, but they picked-up a thing or two through experience.

Similarly, if you have some experience with changing the brakes on your own car, or giving it a tune up -- maybe replacing the alternator, water pump or radiator -- then you probably have the basic skills needed to assemble bobber motorcycle kits. If you're not sure if you have what it takes, then recruit a more experienced friend to lend a helping hand as you build confidence.

Nothing beats hands-on experience, but there are also a number of good bike building books and some great DVD's that shows step by step the assembly of motorcycle kits. Just like the do-it-yourself home repair and improvement shows on TV, these will give you the confidence you need to take the plunge.

As far as the kit goes, the motor is likely to come assembled, the carburator is most likely on it, the transmission will be put together, the tires wont be mounted on the rims, the electrics will probably come with their own instructions. Here's a good video where you can hear a "regular guy" describe his experience building a bobber motorcycle kit:

If you still have serious doubts after doing a little research and talking to the kit suppliers, then you may want to consider paying a qualified mechanic to assemble your bobber motorcycle kit. After all, your life could depend on it.

Better yet, ask for the names of some of their recent customers who have taken the plunge. If they are serious about their work, they will probably have a list of references for you.

Building bobber motorcycle kits does not require you to be a Harley-Davidson dealer mechanic with thousands of dollars invested in a steel cabinet full of professional grade tools. In general, a typical household collection of automotive tools will be sufficient for building popularly available bobber motorcycle kits. This includes a good socket wrench set and a good variety of crescent wrenches. You will also need a wire cutter, stripping tool and electrical tape for wiring. Most importantly, you'll need a torque wrench to ensure you are properly tightening all parts according to specifications. And don't think that your awesome brute strength makes a torque wrench unnecessary. It is a precision tool that is just as often used to ensure that you don't over-tighten and cause damage as it is for ensure nuts and bolts are tight enough.

Like any amateur mechanical work, assembling bobber motorcycle kits can at times be challenging. And if you want to make it more challenging, then do it at ground level. Otherwise, a basic lift is strongly recommended to make your working environment a lot more comfortable. A low-end lift will add around $500 to your project, but it is money well spent.

Apart from a lift, the only other investment you need is to clear your garage and make sure that space is dedicated to the time you want to devote to put your motorcycle kits together. You wont be able to do this thing with a car taking up all the space when you need access all around the bike. If you look at any of the books and videos available on the subject, or watch the Discovery programmes like "The Great Biker Build Off" you'll see that these guys make motorcycles in a pretty spacious shop (granted they are not putting together motorcycle kits, but who wouldn't kill for a shop like that?). Yours doesn't have to be like that but make sure you have got room. Or maybe you know somebody who has; it shouldn't take months to put the beast together whatever kit you buy.Oh, and be prepared to read the instructions. Several times over.

Some bobber motorcycle kits, like the Kikker 5150 Hardknock Bobber, come with most of the equipment needed to make your finished bike street legal. Others are simple rolling chassis without any of these extras. Whatever the case, it's your responsibility to make the finished bike street legal.