You may know the background? Back in the 40s servicemen returning after the war took old military Harleys and stripped them back. They made several refinements, including chucking away the front fenders and ‘bobbing’ the rear ones. Hence the ‘Bobber’ was born. And here we are, still are more than 70 years later, with a bike that maintains all that Bobber soul. But, while the Cat’s Eye console (first used in 1939) Hollywood bars, low-slung seat and half-moon footboards pay homage to its vintage roots, the 1690cc powerhouse that drives it, owes its potency to today.