If you've always wanted to be a biker but just couldn't afford the bike of your dreams (and not because you're terrified of the things and think people you know are going to laugh at you when they bump into you wearing leathers and chains in Safeway) then here's an option for you. Starting at only 49cc, the lowest powered bikes here aren't going to blow anyone away except, perhaps, a moped rider on a good day, downhill. Though if you want, you can order anything up to a 250cc V and cruise the high street with "Born To Be Wild" playing in your headphones.

These bikes are "bobbers", or kits, originally named for the 'bob tail' or shortened rear fender. If you can tune up your car, you should be able to build one of these and the prices are way below what you'd have to pay for something big and mean. Being kits, though, there's probably no ceiling to what you can pay if you place a special order, though I wouldn't recommend a V8 unless you're learning to fly.

Cool enough to drape girls in bikinis over, but you shouldn't attempt to give them a ride home on one. These, especially the Hardknock, are a would-be Peter Fonda's dream.

I've read that you need to order way ahead, as the bikes are hand built and there's a waiting list.

For general information on bobber kits, there's a good blog site here:

http://bobbermotorcycleguide.com/