Obtaining a quality yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit is the best way to turn that bulky cruiser in to a lean, entail, lane-splitting machine without needing a degree in engineering. Let's face it, the share Dragstar 1100 (or the V-Star 1100 if you're in the States) is a fantastic bicycle, but it's the bit "dad-ish" right out of the factory. It's protected in plastic stainless, massive fenders, plus a seat that looks like a literal sofa. If you want something with a bit more grit, burning it down is usually the only way to go.
The attractiveness of the 1100 is its bone fragments. You've got the massive air-cooled V-twin that looks well-known once you apparent away the mess. But unless you're a master welder with a private shop, hacking in to the frame is the scary prospect. That's where a dedicated kit is available in. It will take the guesswork out there of the equation and lets a person focus on the particular fun part: making the bike yours.
Why the particular Dragstar 1100 is the Perfect Candidate
I've always thought the 1100 was the "Goldilocks" of the metric cruiser globe. The 650 is a bit as well small for long highway hauls, as well as the bigger 1300s or 1900s start getting too heavy to feel as if a genuine bobber. The 1100 has ideal balance of torque and size. When a person throw a yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit on it, you're shedding a significant quantity of weight, which makes the bike feel way more flickable.
The engine itself is a work of art. Once you take away the stock surroundings box and the particular massive exhaust glasses, that V-twin actually pops. It's got those cooling fins that just scream "old school, " and because it's a Yamaha, you understand it's going in order to start every solitary time you hit the button. You're getting the Harley look without the particular Harley oil leaks or the price.
Breaking Lower the Bobber Kit
So, exactly what are you really getting when you buy a kit? Usually, these types of packages are designed to replace the bulkiest areas of the particular bike. Most products aren't just one single container; they're a collection of parts that work jointly to change the particular silhouette of the motorcycle.
The particular Rear Fender Change
The share rear fender on a Dragstar 1100 is usually huge. It wraps halfway around the particular tire and homes a massive taillight assembly. A bobber kit usually swaps this particular for the "bobbed" fender—something short, sleek, plus mounted close in order to the tire. Several kits use the fender that mounts directly towards the swingarm, which gives you that tight, "hugger" look that goes with the wheel. It's a complete game-changer for the bike's profile.
That will Classic Spring Chair
You can't have a bobber without a single seat. Most sets incorporate a seat transformation bracket that lets you mount the thin, leather-covered skillet. Some use suspension springs (the classic "pogo" look), while others make use of small shocks or even even rigid brackets. Not only will the trend cooler, yet it also changes your riding placement. You'll find your self sitting "in" the bike rather when compared to the way "on" it, which usually gives you a far better feel for the road.
Lighting and License Plate Relocation
As soon as you rip off the stock fenders, you realize you've lost your blinkers and your plate bracket. A good yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit will consist of a side-mount license plate bracket and some tiny DIRECTED indicators. It cleans up the rear end significantly. Getting rid of that "plastic lollipop" look for the change signals has become the nearly all satisfying part of the whole build.
The Bolt-On Philosophy
The best thing about using a kit rather than heading full custom is usually that most of these parts are bolt-on . What this means is you don't have to reduce the frame. In the event that you ever decide you want to sell the particular bike or—heaven forbid—put it in return to stock, you are able to usually perform that if you're careful throughout the teardown.
It's the weekend project for most people. A person grab a several wrenches, a cool drink, and start unbolting things. The satisfaction of viewing the bike get smaller and meaner over the course of a Sat afternoon is hard to beat. You don't need an expert paint booth or even a plasma cutter; you just need to a bit of patience and several fundamental tools.
Efficiency Gains (The Concealed Perk)
Whilst most people purchase a yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit for the aesthetics, there's an authentic performance benefit. Individuals stock fenders, the particular passenger seat, the particular heavy floorboards, plus the massive exhaust systems weigh a lot. By the time you're completed bobbing the bicycle, you might have shaved away 40 or fifty pounds.
That weight loss makes a noticeable distinction in how the particular bike pulls aside from lights and how it deals with in the edges. It feels less such as a boat plus more like a motorcycle. If you pair the kit with a high-flow air intake and a shorter exhaust, you'll actually feel the particular 1100's true potential. It is a punchy, aggressive ride that will surprises people in the lights.
Making It Your Own
Even if you work with a pre-made kit, no 2 bobbers ever appear exactly the exact same. The kit provides the foundation, yet the finishing variations are up to be able to you. You may decide to go along with a matte black "murdered out" appearance, or maybe you need to keep the chrome and proceed for an even more "cholo" style bobber with white-wall auto tires.
Handlebar Choices
While the particular kit handles the seat as well as the back, you'll probably want to swap the bars. Drag bars give you the crouched, aggressive position, while "mini-apes" give you that relaxed, cool-guy vibe. The particular Dragstar 1100 looks great with each, however it depends upon how long you plan on staying within the saddle.
Exhaust Notes
A bobber should seem like it appears. The stock water lines are way as well quiet. Most guys who use a yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit furthermore opt for several shorty pipes or even "wrap" their existing headers. That deep, rhythmic thump from the 1100 engine is half the knowledge. You need to be prepared regarding your neighbors in order to have a several opinions about your own new hobby.
Common Challenges During the Build
I won't rest to you plus say it's always perfectly smooth sailing. Even with a high-quality kit, you'll run into the few "learning occasions. " The most common one particular is the wiring. Yamaha didn't specifically make the wires harness pretty, due to the fact they expected it to stay hidden under a giant plastic cover. Whenever you strip the particular bike down, you'll need to spend some time tucking wires and making things appear tidy.
One more thing to watch out for is the rear suspension. Mainly because you're often transforming it and the particular fender, you have to make sure you aren't likely to bottom away and also have the wheel hit your new, expensive fender. Most kits are made to prevent this, but it's always worth double-checking your clearances prior to you head away for the test ride.
Is a Bobber Kit Worth the particular Money?
If you value your time, absolutely. You can spend several weeks scouring eBay regarding random parts, trying to fabricate brackets that don't very fit, and getting disappointed. Or, you could purchase a yamaha dragstar 1100 bobber kit that had been specifically engineered for your frame.
The suit and finish a person get from a dedicated kit usually look much even more professional than a "hack-job" custom build. It gives the bicycle a cohesive look, like it emerged from the manufacturer that way. Plus, the resale associated with a well-executed kit bike is generally much higher than the bike that looks like it was attacked with an angle grinder within a dark garage.
Final Ideas within the Build
All in all, building a bobber is all about expressing yourself. The Dragstar 1100 is a reliable, stout platform that it deserves to appear as good since it runs. Regardless of whether you're a seasoned mechanic or a complete beginner, using a kit is the particular most efficient method to get that customized without the custom made headaches.
There's nothing quite such as the feeling associated with rolling out associated with your garage on a bike you've transformed yourself. It's lower, louder, along with a hell of a lot more fun to trip. If you've already been staring at your own stock Dragstar and thinking it requires a change, a bobber kit may be the answer. Just get it one bolt each time, and prior to you know this, you'll have a head-turner that's exclusively yours.