Next winter mod...

djconroy · 09-01-2011, 06:00 PM

Last year it was apes. this year, as many heard at Indyfest, I'm looking at some springer action.

I've gone back and forth over an MFR mod, machining a custom neck to fit a Honda steering head and using a cheap DNA springer for about $400...

But I think I'm aiming for a major frame mod, stretching the backbone about 3" and stretching the downtubes up about 2" and 1" forward, and swapping to an HD neck. That means I can use a stock HD style springer and neck, and I also won't have to move the tank around. Something like this, blue is new:

That will give 45 degrees at the neck with an HD steering head... HARLEY CHOPPER BUILDERS FRAME NECK WITH BEARING CUPS | eBay

Then comes the real candy:

American Suspension D-66 Dragon springer front end, 40" forks with 7 degrees in the trees leaving a trail of 4.7".

Will cost a pretty penny, the AS springers are around $2200, plus HD wheel, rotor, and caliper... and a little scary to chop and weld my frame like that... No more $$ than a sumo kit though. If I can pull this off, it will mean in extra 12" in length with perfect trail numbers!

Thoughts?

Morgan · 09-01-2011, 06:15 PM

I think it will be gorgeous. 12 inches longer though? Daaaaaamn

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LONER · 09-01-2011, 07:06 PM

How long will the springer be? Looks good if you can pull it off that angle joint where the downtubes meet might need a little more engineering . I know it says 40" but will that keep the bike level or low or raised in front?

thrifty · 09-01-2011, 07:30 PM

I'll be checking back here to see the outcome.. That will for sure look bad ass.....

**Richard1** · 09-01-2011, 07:51 PM

I too am interested in how this turns out. Hopefully you had time to discuss this mot with 460 at Indyfest. It sounds like he has a few tricks up his sleeves.

CBSIMONSEZ · 09-01-2011, 08:00 PM

It can be hard as hell to turn the bike with the L&M trees, i cant imagine bringing out the front end another foot.

T Bone · 09-01-2011, 09:54 PM

dj, cant wait to see the results of this................have always lusted for those springer front ends............................t

MilesB · 09-01-2011, 09:55 PM

Glad to hear your moving forward with the project. Should look awesome. Keep us updated.

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LesterDiamond · 09-01-2011, 10:28 PM

Hell yeah!

djconroy · 09-02-2011, 10:09 AM

I'm trying to do all my calculations based on the frame staying level to the ground with the rear suspension at stock height. I'll know more after talking to American Suspension... If I go with 45 in the neck and 7* trees, that will be a net gain of 12" in wheelbase... but that would mean 44" overall fork length, which is something like a 14" over and totally custom.

If I limit the neck to 40*, and go 6* trees, and overall fork length of 40" than it will be a 7" gain in wheelbase and give me 4.5" of trail and should be pretty close to stock frame height in the front.

Unfortunately the DNA springers don't do rake in the trees, and they use 0 offset, so your hosed if you're looking to add trail with a DNA springer. Looks like a springer manufacturer who will put rake in the trees is the way to go.