Considering a springer front end for the street bob
I am considering a springer front end for the street bob. I know this will most likely affect handling to some degree, but I also know a lot of riders with springers who ride very hard. I am considering a twisted choppers custom made springer, a paughco, or one from Jerries.
anyone have any experience with any of these ? any great or not so great experiences with this type of front end? Appreciate any input you might have . Still have not made the decision final yet but am definitely doing the research now. One other thing I will have to consider before making the final purchase is how expensive are springer front ends to maintain. ? Let me know what you think. thank you.
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06 Street Bob, V&H short shots, open K&N ac, PCIII, forward controls, Nash drag bars, Burly Slammers, Progressive Drop springs, 21" front rim
never had one.. but i want one... i think they look good..the dna one just looks too thin for my taste..the jerri spriger ones look cool but to me dont look right on the bike..the one id go w is either a reproduction one from zero enginiering or if i had the money ..bare knuckle choppers:
thanks for the input guys!! I have heard to stay away from DNA stuff as there stuff is pretty low quality. I looked at bare knuckle and twisted choppers... both american made. Paughco also makes some good springers . I am thinking of just ponying up the cash and having either bare knuckle or twisted make me one. Probably be next season before I have it but i am saving up as we speak.
I don't see the appeal of a springer on a street bob (personally) but I'm looking forward to seeing this because I do like them on the cross bones and what not. Don't think I've seen a bob in person with a springer? Can they be made as good as shocks suspension quality wise?
I'm glad I decided against it for this build. I figure I'll try to ge the dyna to handle and brake as well as possible...save the springer for another project.
__________________ 2011 Street Bob - under construction
Hey pete: i take it your not a fan of the springer front ends handling? I am interested in all opinions. Looks cool but if it handles like crap I may change my mind. thanks for your opinion. It is valued. Rick / missedem
Yeah Ric also said that very same thing. In fact told me not to do it unless I used an HD original . I agree about the looks . Nothing looks better. Ill have to mill it around in the ol brain pan for awhile. Maybe in 5 years ill slow down enough not to care about the handling as much. If you ever do design or build a custom springer id love to know about it right off the bat.
Location: Retired in Salton City, by Ocatillo Wells SRVA, CA
Posts: 2,183
Quote:
Originally Posted by sk8rod
Handles for shit Bud.
Plus wear quick, clank and rattle about so you gotta keep on top of them and ya need to buy as good as you can. Definitely not DNA etc
BUT nothing looks better really,, once you see a bike with a springer, cartridge forks just look shit after
I'm working on a set right now, trying to keep the weight down using Ti & using these weird little bearings in the linkages.
Air shocks off rock hoppers are cool, gonna work well.
But it's a ways off. So if I were to fit one now I'd go for a HD original.
This -ran the stock springer on my '42 WLA, after it was tuned up thru Dudley Perkins, dealer in S.F. handled tits!!! No clanking, wandering; just strong, true tracking real H-D!
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Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference.they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good..
George Washington
Last edited by FLHTom1948; 01-21-2016 at 12:25 PM..
Reason: sp
This -ran the stock springer on my '42 WLA, after it was tuned up thru Dudley Perkins, dealer in S.F. handled tits!!! No clanking, wandering; just strong, true tracking real H-D!
It's a very personal choice IMO. What handles adequately for one rider, may not suffice or please another and vise-versa. What one considers "riding hard" is also subjective. Bottom line, form or function. There is no debating that, aside from some esoteric, articulating designs, that internal forks handle better, are more stable and offer better suspension options. A step further are the inverted forks.
__________________ "It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so" . MARK TWAIN
Location: Retired in Salton City, by Ocatillo Wells SRVA, CA
Posts: 2,183
I wonder if the "Heritage Special" springer could be adapted?
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Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference.they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good..
George Washington
Location: Retired in Salton City, by Ocatillo Wells SRVA, CA
Posts: 2,183
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackbeard
It's a very personal choice IMO. What handles adequately for one rider, may not suffice or please another and vise-versa. What one considers "riding hard" is also subjective. Bottom line, form or function. There is no debating that, aside from some esoteric, articulating designs, that internal forks handle better, are more stable and offer better suspension options. A step further are the inverted forks.
Agreed; inverted forks, and modern technology HAVE to handle better; but consider this: i prolly wouldn't be able to walk today, if it weren't for the springer forks, on my old '42 WLA "bobber". I was stupidly tailgating a delivery van on Mission St, in san Francisco, when he spotted a parking space, and severely braked, to dart in to the parking space. I then had 2 choices: lose my legs on his rear bumper, or go in with him, and jump the 20" curb, onto the sidewalk, which i did. Imagine his eyes, big as saucers, as he watched me putt down the sidewalk, still in 3rd gear! Modern tube forks would have folded back, and my legs with them. So, there is something to be said for strength. There are no delicate seals, or adjustments to worry about: the 21" wheel i was running, was also tons better, than a 16", for that impact, imo
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Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference.they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good..
George Washington
Agreed; inverted forks, and modern technology HAVE to handle better; but consider this: i prolly wouldn't be able to walk today, if it weren't for the springer forks, on my old '42 WLA "bobber". I was stupidly tailgating a delivery van on Mission St, in san Francisco, when he spotted a parking space, and severely braked, to dart in to the parking space. I then had 2 choices: lose my legs on his rear bumper, or go in with him, and jump the 20" curb, onto the sidewalk, which i did. Imagine his eyes, big as saucers, as he watched me putt down the sidewalk, still in 3rd gear! Modern tube forks would have folded back, and my legs with them. So, there is something to be said for strength. There are no delicate seals, or adjustments to worry about: the 21" wheel i was running, was also tons better, than a 16", for that impact, imo
I can not attest to the strength of either in that regard. Frankly, never thought about it in terms of that situation.
Currently I'm running 43MM forks, they are very stout. If they were to "fold" in a crash, I have to believe I was in really deep sh!t regardless of equipment.
Interesting conversation either way Tom. You been hangin' around with Preston Tucker?
__________________ "It ain't what you don't know that gets you in trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so" . MARK TWAIN
Considering a springer front end for the street bob
2011 Street Bob - under construction
I love the looks of a springer on a FX chassis, not so much on an FL.
When will we see it in 2016 ?
!!!! 
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