Jason Bully and I are building some pretty similar hobbits together so I thought I’d post a build thread for once and maybe it will inspire me to actually document this thing now that I’m getting closer to the finish line.
I’ve been building this dumb Hobbit for a while now, using various used parts I got off other bikes and trades but also some really expensive treats orders.
I wanted a shiny black and gold bike that keeps most of the stock hobbit trim (floorboards, side covers, tool tray, rack, fender, event the dumb plastic coil cover) but also the maximum performance parts I could fit. I do not like stock hobbit suspension or headlight bucket so that’s where I drew the line on the stock look.
Still in the building and spec stages and no performance or tuning steps have been taken, so I don’t have the clutch springs or jetting or variator weights even close to dialed in yet. Currently concentrated on cleaning, rebuilding, and polishing the old stock aluminum parts so they look new and replacing all the old rubber parts like the fender and tank mount grommets etc.
Specs:
Engine:
OG Eurocylindro Athena kit
Treats Puchonda head for Athena
Puch head studs
Stuffy crank
Doppler needle bearing
New viton case seals and new case bearings + gasket
Cases welded for added gasket surface for case matching
(thanks Jake and Graham!)
New engine hanger mounts pressed in
Joe Schuitema angled reed block adapter
Joe Schuitema VM20 intake modded for left side access
stage 6 v-force reed block
VM20 carb
Go kart air box
MLM G-104 pipe modded for right side cover clearance + new rear bracket to fit stock braced subframe
Electrical:
HPI mini rotor w/ floating ground
Atomic non-resistor shielded spark plug wire
Trail tech regulator/rectifier
Trail tech 12v battery in Hobbit battery box
Common grounding wire coming from engine block
LED err’where: stock tail light housing, 2x grand pappy lionel headlights, amber LED underglow kit, trail tach vapor fully set up
Transmission:
Rebuilt (bearings seals and o-rings) transmission
Malossi gears
TJT variator w/ treats rumpus plate
One-way bearing starter shoe delete
Stock belt
Rear pulley TBD (hoping for euro pulley, might go stock modded to fully close)
Frame and Exxxtras:
Cheetahchrome braced stock subframe (want to use side covers)
EgoBoost 290mm shocks (still too tall ugh)
Beefed up 30mm EBR Hydro forks w/ MLM brace
Tomos front fender
Gold disc brake caliper
5-star wheel set (thanks Will!)
Gold pedal chain
MLM variator cover
Left side cover opened up around variator to fit MLM cover and TJT
Left floorboard trimmed for VM20
Black aluminum side cover fasteners (i know, moneybags over here)
Tires will be Michelin City Pro 2.25
Currently working on shaft collar press-fit Tomahawk Disc mod for front 5 star that keeps the wheel and hub intact in case anyone ever wants to go back to drum brakes in the future (thanks for the tips Travis Noll!)
Powder Coated black:
Frame w/ battery box tab
Tank
Rear fender
Subframe
Kickstand
Powder Coated Metallic Gold:
Rear rack
Rear fender stay
Still needs powder:
Intake (gold)
Wheels (gold)
Forks (black)
Janus Headlight bracket (black)
Stock license plate bracket (black)
Will post detailed pics in follow up… maybe?
(edited)