Review
Born to Ride, February 2007
“[Art of the Bobber] captures the rebel spirit of the ultimate custom bike as never before. Every bobber is beautifully photographed, emphasizing the smooth edges and geometric shapes, creating a whole new dimension and perception for the reader.”
American Cycle, April 2007
“Art of the Bobber traces the emergence of custom motorcycles and introduces us to the machines of today that are upholding the rebellious culture of the original Bobber. The pictures are the showcase of this book. Art of the Bobber is much like its subject matter, stripped down and raw with power and grit. Today the Bobber retains its original image, ‘short, low and fast,’ and Drate and Salavetz showcase these bikes with mastery.”
Product Description
Before choppers, there was the bobber. When American-brand motorcycle owners needed to change their rear tires decades ago, the rear fender featured a hinge near its center that would flip up to make room for the tire to be removed. At some point ,an enterprising rider decided to permanently remove the hinged rear portion of the fender - shortening the fender like the "bobbed" hair cuts popular during those days - or so the theory goes. The tradition of stripping down to a bike's bare essence and celebrating its simpler forms - making a bobber - was begun. As these lean, mean machines come roaring back onto the scene in a big way, this book offers a look at where the bobber came from, where it’s going, and what it’s about. With over 200 exclusive photographs of the most cutting-edge bobbers, biographies of the men and women who build them, and inside stories on top shops like Indian Larry, Von Dutch Kustoms, Orange County Choppers, Arlen Ness, Mitch Bergeron, and more. This book captures the rebel spirit of the ultimate custom bike as never before.
Publisher's Note: This edition includes a poster on the reverse of the book's jacket.
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