Bobber Help Please! - Page 2

**Shadow Shack** · 03-10-2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyrebel

Does anyone know what is the max size tire i can put on the back of an 09 rebel?

In most cases, bikes come with the largest tire that will fit the rim. Anything larger or wider tends to balloon outward (in diameter rather than width), but quite a few folks have shoehorned 140 and 150 hoops on their stock rear rims.

Quote:

Also if you compare the pipe mod available on bluecollarbobbers.com and the mac pipes for a rebel. Which sounds better?

That's actually a loaded question. Considering how some folks actually prefer the stock pipe sound, it's purely subjective...

That said, I've had stock pipes with hacked OEM mufflers (no OEM baffles remaining, just the front cone) and it sounded like a pair of chainsaws, which I found quite tasteless but others actually seem to like that effect. Best bet is to try and find a bike with the pipes already on it and take a personal listen-to. Frequent the dealerships and service centers, sooner or later someone will pop up with one, at which point you can get the owner or techs to fire it up for you to sample.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guba

I actually like the look of the 150 on back. When I ordered a new tire last summer, I just told him it was for a Rebel. My mistake! I got a 130 to put on.

Just for future reference, tell them (tire shop, parts shop, dealer, etc) what size rim it's for rather than what bike. If they get testy about that, simply tell them it's a custom build and that's the tire you want...

JunkyardDog · 03-10-2010, 01:02 PM

I'm exactly the opposite. I like the larger diameter, skinnier tires like the old bikes had. I think the Rebel would look good with a 17" or 18" diameter rear wheel, and smaller tire. Notice how most of the '60s choppers and bobbers had narrow rear tires. Stock Harleys have also had fairly narrow rear tires compared to Japanese cruisers. I was told it was because the wide belt drive wouldn't allow a wide rear tire. Then things really got crazy. The custom Harley clones started coming with 240 and 300 series rear tires. They are so wide, you don't even need a kickstand, the bike will stand up on it's own. But on cars and trucks, I hate the big huge diameter wheels with the tiny little rubber band tires with a 2" sidewall. I guess all of this is because I prefer the vintage look, both cars and bikes.
I do remember back in the '70s, we put air shocks on the back of our cars, jacked them up, and put huge wide tires on them. But the wheels were still only 15" diameter max. Jerry.

**Henryinva** · 03-10-2010, 01:29 PM

Had to laugh Jerry! I looked into going with a 250 to 300 rear when I started building my frame. In all my builds, Ive never spent more than 750 bucks for the entire bike and parts. You cant hardly pick up a USED 250 tire and rim for under 800 bucks.300 will run you over a grand USED. That is insane. I can build an entire bike, including the bike for what those puppies go for. Not this kid, not in my lifetime!