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Pics of my R18 bobber - GroBe Krüge (finally)

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1758297946#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter MilwDave
  • Start date Start date
I'll try and post more later. Every time I try and add more pictures, I get an Oops we ran into problems error message.

Excuse the dust and dirt. The bike has sat in storage since last year and needs a good detail.
 
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Exquisite, minimalist and super-clean. One of the Top Ten R18 bobbers anywhere out there, where the rest of those have been done by custom outfits. I've been following your project with interest and shared photos widely - not on social media, I do not do much of that.

Some observations, not criticisms:
  • There are plenty silver accents, for the black not to be overbearing. Only the chrome pushrod covers remain, breaking the trend. How about masking up the cylinder fins and crankcase locally and using 2000 grit on the 'rocker-box covers', to convert the visible extent to a satin finish - removing one screw at a time. Obviously get the technique down on some sacrificial other chrome piece(s) first. As well as something gloss or satin black to tape over the pushrod covers - top 270-degree coverage?
  • The rear lights are too small for my liking. I appreciate that the indicator and brake function lights up brilliantly. I would question the brightness of the running light function in poor visibility. Consider an aftermarket backup at the bottom of the license plate. I did exactly that with mine (not a bobber).
  • An 1/16" reflective silver pinstripe, close to the rim edge closest to the tire. Reflective specifically since the amber reflectors are no longer there. Two birds. TapeWorks
  • Methinks that front wheel needs to be 21".
Each to their own, of course. Outstanding, nevertheless.
 
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estoma said:
Exquisite, minimalist and super-clean. One of the Top Ten R18 bobbers anywhere out there, where the rest of those have been done by custom outfits. I've been following your project with interest and shared photos widely - not on social media, I do not do much of that.

Some observations, not criticisms:
  • There are plenty silver accents, for the black not to be overbearing. Only the chrome pushrod covers remain, breaking the trend. How about masking up the cylinder fins and crankcase locally and using 2000 grit on the 'rocker-box covers', to convert the visible extent to a satin finish - removing one screw at a time. Obviously get the technique down on some sacrificial other chrome piece(s) first. As well as something gloss or satin black to tape over the pushrod covers - top 270-degree coverage?
  • The rear lights are too small for my liking. I appreciate that the indicator and brake function lights up brilliantly. I would question the brightness of the running light function in poor visibility. Consider an aftermarket backup at the bottom of the license plate. I did exactly that with mine (not a bobber).
  • An 1/16" reflective silver pinstripe, close to the rim edge closest to the tire. Reflective specifically since the amber reflectors are no longer there. Two birds. TapeWorks
  • Methinks that front wheel needs to be 21".
Each to their own, of course. Outstanding, nevertheless.
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Thanks for the compliments.
I did consider the push rod tubes but I wanted to keep the bike easy to maintain. It’s much easier keeping up on the chrome in that location than a powder coated finish. Plus the chrome in that location ties in with the bright finish of the driveshaft.
I’ve done custom bikes before and in some cases created near impossible areas to maintain. The same goes for the fins. I have done the sanding of polished surfaces before and then had to deal with corrosion creeping in.
The lights work for what the bike is. It’s designed to be a “bar hopper” as we call bikes like this here in the U.S. where short jaunts are the intended use. This will be a second bike for whoever owns it. And like you I have a tool for every use in my collection.

The lights where a concern of mine initially but after I first assembled the bike I had my son ride it out front of me in several lighting conditions and the Kellerman lights are pretty amazing and are actually more visible than the low power U.S. regulation signal lights. But if someone was to ride it in nighttime conditions I would recommend wearing a reflective trimmed jacket.

I have my eyes on another project and my shop is full at the current six bikes. So I’m preparing to list the bike on Bring a Trailer in the next few weeks.

Dave
 
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MilwDave said:
Thanks for the compliments.
I did consider the push rod tubes but I wanted to keep the bike easy to maintain. It’s much easier keeping up on the chrome in that location than a powder coated finish. Plus the chrome in that location ties in with the bright finish of the driveshaft.
I’ve done custom bikes before and in some cases created near impossible areas to maintain. The same goes for the fins. I have done the sanding of polished surfaces before and then had to deal with corrosion creeping in.
The lights work for what the bike is. It’s designed to be a “bar hopper” as we call bikes like this here in the U.S. where short jaunts are the intended use. This will be a second bike for whoever owns it. And like you I have a tool for every use in my collection.

The lights where a concern of mine initially but after I first assembled the bike I had my son ride it out front of me in several lighting conditions and the Kellerman lights are pretty amazing and are actually more visible than the low power U.S. regulation signal lights. But if someone was to ride it in nighttime conditions I would recommend wearing a reflective trimmed jacket.

I have my eyes on another project and my shop is full at the current six bikes. So I’m preparing to list the bike on Bring a Trailer in the next few weeks.

Dave
Click to expand...
Great. We have not been able to do that where I live in Sarfefrica since the nineties, in general. Leave a motorcycle parked in a public space in the evening, that is, where you do not have direct line of sight of it. Even in the day, for that matter.

I stopped selling mine since 2013. I have too many regrets of ones I have let go off, and I tend to bond with them as I 'make them my own'. It is not that hard to sort additional space. I have two double garages, and I erected several fully enclosed sheds. And my wife has finally agreed that some of them will selectively be relocating (aka retired) into the house. One of my double garages had been a man-cave but was then reprioritized and repurposed accordingly.
 
MilwDave said:
Thanks for the compliments.
I did consider the push rod tubes but I wanted to keep the bike easy to maintain. It’s much easier keeping up on the chrome in that location than a powder coated finish. Plus the chrome in that location ties in with the bright finish of the driveshaft.
I’ve done custom bikes before and in some cases created near impossible areas to maintain. The same goes for the fins. I have done the sanding of polished surfaces before and then had to deal with corrosion creeping in.
The lights work for what the bike is. It’s designed to be a “bar hopper” as we call bikes like this here in the U.S. where short jaunts are the intended use. This will be a second bike for whoever owns it. And like you I have a tool for every use in my collection.

The lights where a concern of mine initially but after I first assembled the bike I had my son ride it out front of me in several lighting conditions and the Kellerman lights are pretty amazing and are actually more visible than the low power U.S. regulation signal lights. But if someone was to ride it in nighttime conditions I would recommend wearing a reflective trimmed jacket.

I have my eyes on another project and my shop is full at the current six bikes. So I’m preparing to list the bike on Bring a Trailer in the next few weeks.

Dave
Click to expand...
Agree 💯 on the brightness of the KELLERMANN LED tail-lights when illuminated, even during the day; they're very bright, and even brighter at night...

The precision fit of the rear fender, to the rear tire is insanely close... The integrated tail-lights is what pulls Dave's R18 together...
 
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