6 Facts About The Yamaha Roadstar Bobber

Discover the transformation of the Yamaha Roadstar Bobber, from a classic retro bike to a powerful custom creation.

If you share a similar taste to Steve Hoffman, you'll love this sleek air-cooled metal flake gold bobber with a powerful pushrod motor. Hoffman has owned the bike since its early days as a 1999 Yamaha Roadstar with over 82,000 miles. The bike has undergone several transformations, now reflecting its current custom look.

Steve Hoffman, residing on California's Central Coast, enjoyed riding along beaches like Cayucos and Morro Bay, and often rode through coastal mountains. Having grown up with dirt bikes, motocross, and street bikes, he always wanted to create a Neo-Vintage Bobber.

Five months ago, Hoffman bought a mint-condition 2003 Yamaha Roadstar (Yamaha Wild Star) with only 17k miles, eager to start his dream project. He began purchasing parts and planning the bike's transformation.

The Yamaha Roadstar was once a beautiful, retro bike with chrome details and stylish silver flame paintwork, giving off a '50s vibe. However, Hoffman, a true bike enthusiast, sought to upgrade and personalize the bike.

After driving the bike for thousands of miles, Hoffman decided it was time for a bold change. He wanted to replace the classic look with a modern, metal-flake, high-performance bike.

The transformation began with a massive upgrade to a 108-inch motor, featuring a big bore kit, Orient Express pistons, Yamaha roller cams, and ported heads. The motor was paired with an S&S “G” carb and an Ultima starter for improved performance and reliability.

As a CG Artist Educator, Hoffman used Autodesk, CAD Inventor, and Photoshop to visualize his ideas. His goal was to keep the design simple, using a color palette of red, black, and brass accents.

Hoffman also had a strong desire to incorporate wood into his custom bike design. He used redwood for the battery cover, footboards under the seat, and even one of the swingarm plug-covers. The redwood was stained to match the tank and sealed with Marine Varnish for durability.