New bobber project with progress pics

[donuseph12]

Just bought a 2008 GZ250 for her first bike. She wanted something cool, so I found the bike I thought would be best and have decided to spice it up a little for her. Below are pics. Please let me know what you all think!

[donuseph12]

and thennnn.

[donuseph12]

Hour 4 in to the project...

[donuseph12]

as it sits currently, have about 8 more hours of work before paint, new tires and some open rode!!! Be sure to leave your comments and suggestions...

[alanmcorcoran]

I wonder if her view of "spicing" is the same as yours. I have an '08 myself and it's like stock plus (suzuki bags, suzuki sissy/rack, everything stock but the windshield) and it's plenty spicy for me. I've seen some bobbed and ratted bikes on here that looked sort of cool, but to me, to take a relatively new bike and cut it all up like this is a difficult pursuit to understand. Of course, i mainly just ride mine around and have near zero ability to mess with it mechanically anyway. If it makes you happy, more power to you.

If someone could spice mine up to make it go a little faster, that's a mod I'd be interested in, but it seems like it really can't be juiced significantly and typically requires effing with parts that might render the bike illegal to operate in California. A better seat would also be a plus.

Are you going to paint it pink?

[donuseph12]

Actually yes, her view was my motivation (as seen with the smile on her face!lol). I pulled up customized gz250 on google images and asked her what she liked. I am modeling this bike after that. As for performance mods, that is out of her capabilities as a rider right now, but she i a woman, and I'm sure that eventually it will be asked for, or a new bike! hahahaha. And as for the pink, that would be a "kind of". She wants all black with pink seat and racing stripes, go figure.....

[emory70]

i like what you've done for the most part. i cut a piece of aluminum tubing to try a broomstick on my bike. i like it, but the bulky stock controls hit the triple tree. grr... your drag bars seem to be ok. hmm... i want to change my tank, and have considered a sporty, since they are so cheap. yours kinda hangs off the back of the main hoop. did you cut something off, or is that just the way it is on the geezer?

[donuseph12]

that was the smallest tankI could find. Welded bracket today, looks a lot better. Will post more pics.

[donuseph12]

Almost done. Got a lot accomplished today. Welded rear swing arm brackets, rear tabs for gas tank, painted gas tank, painted triple tree's, painted lower forks and permanently mounted gas tank. All that is left is the bracket for the springer seat, seat covered and installed, 21 inch front spoke rim and tire installed, forward controls put on, rear fender painted and installed, rear fender bracket installed and carbs cleaned. Very, very close!!!!

[donuseph12]

In to the early evening...

[donuseph12]

End of the day and in to the night.....

[usmarinedelta]

Nice work, got pics of your exhaust setup? Also what I think would look really nice is if you painted the engine and sand down/polish the front of the fins to give it a deeper look like some of the other bikes that comes with black/chrome engines. Also paint the wheels flat black would make it look sick!

[burkbuilds]

Hey man you do really good work. Judging by the smile on your lady's face you made her very happy. Thanks for sharing your pics. :2tup:

[donuseph12]

Nice work, got pics of your exhaust setup? Also what I think would look really nice is if you painted the engine and sand down/polish the front of the fins to give it a deeper look like some of the other bikes that comes with black/chrome engines. Also paint the wheels flat black would make it look sick!

Thanks man! I will be making the exhaust here in the next few days, I will be sure to post the pics! I thought the black wheels would look good too but I am still trying to convince her of that. Thanks again for the props!

[donuseph12]

Hey man you do really good work. Judging by the smile on your lady's face you made her very happy. Thanks for sharing your pics. :2tup:

Thank you a ton!!! I was a little worried about how it would turn out seeing as how I am a beginner, and had no help at all, but I am pleased. I am extremely happy that others think so! And yes, she is super excited, now if I could just get her off my case about finishing it so she can go show off!!! hahahaha, Thanks again!

[usmarinedelta]

fender pics?

[emory70]

the tank looks good. how about a side shot so we can see how the tank works with the new brackets?

[21skippy13]

bike looks amazing, i just got my gz, its completely stock...i have been deciding which path i wanted to go in....i am not a guy that leaves anything alone...everything i own has been modified. your project has defiantly given me some ideas, THANKS. keep posting pic, would love to see it finished

[wee228]

No offense to the rest of the guys on this great forum but this bike and its builder have an actual sense of what it is to make a custom motorcycle. Great lines, engineering and taste is the most important. I just have to get this off my chest, saddle bags and a windshield cannot possible be cosidered mods, they are simply add-ons ,and chopping your fenders and rear seat support and painting EVERYTHING flat black doesnt make your bike a bobber, it just puts you into the copycat category with poor taste and lack of understanding of customizing. And i understand that not everyone has the same use, purpose or style of riding, but please consider the above when you choose to make changes to your bike. This messege is not directed towards anyone, i just have a hard time when i see an actual nice gz customized and some guy says "why did u do that, not what i wouldve done". I know im pissing some members off but thats ok.
P.s. I love my gz and i put alot work into that little 250 and she treats me good!

[Sarris]

Here's my last custom Suzuki 1400 Intruder.

http://s2.postimage.org/9vhyuu90/1996_Intruder_2.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/9vhyuu90/)
Click for larger image

Us older guys know what you mean, so don't be a dick.

:poke2:

[Strelok]

wee228~

I don't consider Mods to be just about chopping/removing parts.
Mods are Modifications to make something where it does not look
stock or like the retail version. If someone can only afford to "bolt"
on a Windshield or Saddlebags you shouldn't dis on them just because
it's not to your approval. Everyone has different tastes so whatever is done
and it makes the GZ look non-stock is a "Mod". Personally everytime I see one
of these Bobbers/Choppers with removed or tiny fenders the first thing that comes
to my mind is how miserable they must be riding in the rain. But of course that's just me.

:tongue:

[alantf]

And of course, over here we're not allowed to bob our bikes. For the 2 yearly examination they must be stock, and conform to the "fischa tecnica" (specification card) issued with the bike as new. They'll allow engine guards, bags/boxes & windshields, but that's just about it. If the bike has been altered in any way, it's an automatic fail, & the bike's off the road until it's put back to its original state, with receipts to show that the parts are genuine makers' parts, and a mechanic's receipt to show that it's been done professionally. They really are that strict about vehicles in Spain. I read in the newspaper that a guy took his car to the test centre. He'd fitted a hood with an airscoop, & a better looking steering wheel. The car was failed until he either replaced them with original manufacturers' parts, or produced a document from an authorised mechanic (one certified to issue fischa tecnicas) changing the fisch tecnica. (a mammoth task to get that done, as the nearest certified mechanic is on one of the other islands). If we even fit a tow bar we have to get a certificate of authenticity, as the towbar increases the vehicle's length (by a few inches) then try to get a new fischa tecnica issued. If we're stopped by the police, this is just one of the documents we have to produce at the roadside, to show that the vehicle is EXACTLY as specified. :cry:

[wpbfrider_11]

that looks awesome that is almost the same way im doing mine but i had some jitters about lowering it thaT far. do you know if there is any interferance with the chain and the swingarm and how does it ride now is it comfortable and the foot controls did you have to move them since the riding position is different now.

[jamewatson]

Hey donuseph12, you have done a great work, really that the stuff is looking very nice, I appreciate your work and project, I like it very much, thanks for sharing a beautiful pics of your project.

[ratrod]

Love the bike

[Water Warrior 2]

I don't often comment on a bobbed or modded bike bike but that's just me. My bike is farkled the way I want it and enjoy it. As for anyone not liking a certain bobbed or modded bike I say go for it and show us how. Only the rider/owner is going to really enjoy the bike so it might as well be to their desires that the changes are made. We also learn by doing, if we do something wrong or not very well we will do it better or differently next time. That is bobbing or modding. Exploring with our imaginations and saying "What If ?"