Kickstarting A Younger Generation Of Custom Bike Builders…


When I received an email from Luke Cormack and Jackson, 2 lads from England, it made me happy. Not only because of the the photos of the bike they just built, but for their accompanying words. They opened their custom shop Bristol Bobbers in January 2016 and are not afraid to describe themselves as young, dumb and full of something…living their life with a simple motto: “If you can’t buy it, you’ve gotta build it yourself”. True if you are low in Green or don’t like what is mass-produced.

Cormack and Jackson work out of an old run down stable with enough room for all the important things in life; such as a spray booth, a tool bench and a bar with enough room to host a party. Bristol Bobbers exist to bring fresh, lesser aged faces to the UK custom bike scene. Using materials and tools that were begged and borrowed, they slowly built a great reputation among their friends by building custom bikes on an affordable budget without compromising on style and finish.

Bristol Bobbers aim to kickstart a younger generation of custom bike builders, showing the old boys that the custom scene is still alive and kicking. For this reason they well deserve this short feature.

Specs.

Engine. 1972 Yamaha XS650 with polished engine cases, black barrels and dressed fins.
Frame. Custom built 1” tube hardtail. Biker Build Off 2017
Front End. Springer front end, spoke wheel with Avon Speedmaster tyre.
Rear End. Custom rear fender, spoke wheel with Avon Speedmaster.
Side mounted number plate.
Miscellaneous
Custom made split mounted tanks with top of frame showing.
BS38 Mikuni carb with clear fuel lines.
Full stainless custom made exhaust. Titanium wrapped.
Biltwell tan grips and solo seat.
1” Drag back bars.
Left side suicide shift.
Fake oil tank.
Dummy side of fuel tank to hide electronics.
Kickstart.
Bespoke electronics by MWS https://www.facebook.com/wiring4bikes/?fref=ts
as follows:
Electrex RR35 regulator/rectifier.
Moto Gadget M-Unit.
Moto Gadget tint vintage speedo.
Moto Gadget M-Lock touch proximity ignition.
Moto Gadget mini button.
Boyer Bransden digital ignition system (HT/Coils)
Highsider Skyliner Halogen headlamp.
Fibre optic cables – running system.
4 cell lithium battery.
Paint and Finish
Tank and frame 2016 Aston Martin metallic Gun Metal grey.
1952 pin up girl tank art.
Jet black hubs and spokes with chrome rims

14 Responses to “Kickstarting A Younger Generation Of Custom Bike Builders…”


  1. 1 chris w Oct 16th, 2017 at 8:15 am

    Kool Kustom eXeSs 650

  2. 2 Aloha-Terry Oct 16th, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Nice work thru out. Good to see this next gen taking over…God speed lads!

  3. 3 grmp54 Oct 16th, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Sweet chop chaps!

  4. 4 Daniel Oct 16th, 2017 at 9:53 am

    It’s what custom builders are coming back to… Everybody forget to mention “how to make a living doing this?”

  5. 5 Joshua Oct 16th, 2017 at 9:55 am

    Nice, but no money = no future. Building bikes is not about entertaining bikers at the cost of misery!

  6. 6 Fzzzz Oct 16th, 2017 at 10:27 am

    Very nice bike. The Brits do nice work.

  7. 7 Del hickey Oct 16th, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Wow, such a cool machine.

  8. 8 domino Oct 16th, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    ……. Now this is what it’s all about ………
    ……………..Domino Dave…………………….

  9. 9 Pat h Oct 16th, 2017 at 8:09 pm

    That front end is real nice and they even bucked the typical chopper system and put a real brake on it

  10. 10 Boomer Oct 17th, 2017 at 7:12 am

    Nice starter build. An XS650 Special was my first street bike. I’m glad to see these being revived from the back yards or wherever they found themselves. Good little engines. If I were the owner of this bike I would put a chain roller on it to take up that chain slack. I think they would like the ride better that way.

    Sometimes, just for nostalgia, I think about finding an XS650 cheap, to bring back some long lost memories; both good and bad…

  11. 11 Tom Oct 17th, 2017 at 8:05 am

    Well done 👍🏼

  12. 12 Beringer Brakes US Oct 17th, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Nicely done !

  13. 13 Ghost of HST Oct 17th, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    As Paul d’Orleans called it years ago .When it comes to the potential profitability of todays young gun custom builders ;

    ” InstaFamous/InstaBroke ” sums it up all too well . Unfortunately .

    As for this young gun’s bike ? Nice but not great . Pretty decent in fact . But don’t quit your day job son ! Today’s custom M/C economy simply does not exist unless you’re one of the established few .

  14. 14 electronics Oct 17th, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    Fantastic website. Lots of helpful information here.
    I’m sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And of course, thanks in your sweat!

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Cyril Huze