Guide ·
Bobber conversion kits for the Honda Rebel — K-Speed, Blue Collar Bobbers, and DIY
The Honda Rebel’s bobber-friendly silhouette is half the reason people buy one. Chopping the rear fender, fitting a spring solo seat, and stripping the bike back to essentials is the classic build — and several companies now sell kits that skip the fabrication.
Blue Collar Bobbers (USA)
Blue Collar Bobbers out of Utah sells complete bolt-on kits designed to convert a stock Rebel into a vintage bobber profile without welding or frame modification.
What is in the kit
A typical BCB Rebel kit includes:
- Spring solo seat with under-seat mounting hardware
- Shortened rear fender (or fender eliminator)
- Drag bars or mini apes
- All brackets and fasteners — they emphasize “no welding required”
Models covered
- CMX250C (1985–2016) — the original Rebel; BCB’s longest-running kit
- CMX300 / CMX500 (2017+) — updated kits for the modern trellis frame
Cost and shipping
Kits typically run USD $300–600 depending on seat material and bar choice. BCB ships from the USA — budget $40–80 for shipping to NZ, plus customs duty and GST on arrival.
BCB parts are also sold through Accessory International, which may offer consolidated shipping on multi-item orders.
K-Speed Diablo line (Thailand)
K-Speed takes a different aesthetic approach — more urban rod than vintage bobber — but the result is similarly dramatic. Their parts are covered in detail in our K-Speed Diablo guide.
The key difference: K-Speed sells individual parts (cowl, tank cover, fender) rather than a single all-in-one kit. You choose how far to go.
DIY: piecing it together
If you want a bobber look without buying a branded kit, the core modifications are:
- Solo seat conversion — spring solo seats are available generically on Amazon and eBay for $50–120. Fitment quality varies wildly; the best ones include a specific Rebel mounting plate.
- Rear fender chop or tail tidy — Evotech and other brands sell tail-tidy kits that shorten the rear. Alternatively, a competent shop can cut and re-weld the stock fender for a custom line.
- Bar swap — see our handlebar risers vs bar swap guide for details on cable length and wiring implications.
Total DIY cost: $150–400 depending on quality of parts and whether you pay a shop for any metalwork.
Things to consider before going bobber
- Pillion capability. Most bobber kits eliminate the passenger seat and pegs. If you ever carry a passenger, this is a one-way decision (or keep the stock parts for re-fitting).
- Registration / WoF. In NZ, removing or shortening the rear fender may affect your Warrant of Fitness if the tail light or plate mount does not comply with NZTA standards. Fit a compliant plate bracket and LED tail light.
- Resale. A well-executed bobber build can increase appeal to the right buyer, but a cheap one decreases resale. Keep the stock parts.
Related guides
- K-Speed Diablo build — the urban-rod alternative
- Rebel 500 seat upgrades — comfort-focused seat options
- Rebel 500 hub