Springer or not....?

[gearsmithy]

Originally Posted by alhall88

companies like american suspension know this and thats why they came out with the batwing trees with a zero offset, so they can open the market up to more bikes. Honestly what I've been told was that 45 to 50 degrees was the happy spot for a convential springer. I think redneck makes a great springer but they are the guys that asked me if I rode my bike alot and advised me against a springer with my neck angle.

I can't imagine why redneck would tell you this. The vast majority of their springers are built for aggressively raked bikes. I'm building a bike right now with their front end and they had to de-rake my springer to accommodate my modest frame geometry(2-up, 2-out @ 34 degrees). I will say this though, I would put their front end up there with Spartan in terms of quality, the engineering and craftsmanship are TOP notch! I wouldn't think twice about putting their springer on my big dog (if I had the coin).

One more thing...they are a frickin BEOTCH to install. It takes at least 3 people and is a royal pain in the ass.

[alhall88]

Originally Posted by gearsmithy

I can't imagine why redneck would tell you this. The vast majority of their springers are built for aggressively raked bikes. I'm building a bike right now with their front end and they had to de-rake my springer to accommodate my modest frame geometry(2-up, 2-out @ 34 degrees). I will say this though, I would put their front end up there with Spartan in terms of quality, the engineering and craftsmanship are TOP notch! I wouldn't think twice about putting their springer on my big dog (if I had the coin).

One more thing...they are a frickin BEOTCH to install. It takes at least 3 people and is a royal pain in the ass.

Gearsmithy, you are correct but you are dealing only with 2 up and 2 out which is much different than 4 out and 7 up only with a 36 deg rake. They will work on short frames like yours and long frames with more rake. Its really a clearance problems that have to be dealt with and with propietary handlebars and controls your options are limited to dealing with them.

[TheCleaner]

Hey fellas just got done installing my springer (Redneck Eng) on my Ridgeback and I have to quote Gas man on this: "Custom is not bolt-on". You must be prepared for a new brake, spacers, etc...custom shit. Its not like you buy it and expect to fit right away and be done with it....But all the hard work is definitely worth it if you are looking for something different. Can't elaborate on the handling and soforth due to blowing my EHC in the process! But needless to say it is up and running and I can't wait to see how she performs with my new set up. Im picking her up after work today so I will let you know more later with pics as well. I have to tell you it's definitely not for everyone but in my mind she looks pretty fuckin bad ass!

[Mario77746]

I loved my Redneck Rocket. 49 degrees of rake. The bike was 9'ft 3'in long. I also love the way the American looks. The dragon is just bad ass. The only problem is I don't know if I would trust it to ride it like I do. Plus $1,800+ for a new set up is out of my budget....

Post some pics when when you get yours sorted out.

[Gas Man]

Originally Posted by TheCleaner

Hey fellas just got done installing my springer (Redneck Eng) on my Ridgeback and I have to quote Gas man on this: "Custom is not bolt-on". You must be prepared for a new brake, spacers, etc...custom shit. Its not like you buy it and expect to fit right away and be done with it....But all the hard work is definitely worth it if you are looking for something different. Can't elaborate on the handling and soforth due to blowing my EHC in the process! But needless to say it is up and running and I can't wait to see how she performs with my new set up. Im picking her up after work today so I will let you know more later with pics as well. I have to tell you it's definitely not for everyone but in my mind she looks pretty fuckin bad ass!

There is a reason why I say that. The "it should just bolt on" statement from a part manufacture is just amusing to me now.

[brady3sf]

i'm in the same boat. I can not make up my mind on what style of springer or from what company.

[vision]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

There is a reason why I say that. The "it should just bolt on" statement from a part manufacture is just amusing to me now.

Aint that the truth. Gotta love the looks of that American Susp front end though. So what if it is a hazard, you want saftey stay off a motorcycle.

[dingo]

Originally Posted by vision

Gotta love the looks of that American Susp front end though. So what if it is a hazard, you want saftey stay off a motorcycle.

I think the American Suspension looks the best, too.....but I can't see knowingly increasing equipment safety risk by that much just for looks.

[onaprwl]

Check out my post about ..Finally Decided, I will keep you updated when I have the final price and pictures when finished.

[Moespeeds]

"I think the American Suspension looks the best, too.....but I can't see knowingly increasing equipment safety risk by that much just for looks."

What exactly happened to Al's front end? If just the bolt failed, that could happen to anyone and doesn't indicate a design flaw. I looked at the front brake mount on my Dragon Springer tonight, and it looks like pretty much any other springer mount out there, an adjustable brace with HEIM bearings holding the caliper in place. Am I missing something or did Al's have a different design? I do know that American treated Al like a dick and I do not agree with that, but unfortunately this hobby is full of artists with little or no people skills or business sense.

[alhall88]

Originally Posted by Moespeeds

"I think the American Suspension looks the best, too.....but I can't see knowingly increasing equipment safety risk by that much just for looks."

What exactly happened to Al's front end? If just the bolt failed, that could happen to anyone and doesn't indicate a design flaw. I looked at the front brake mount on my Dragon Springer tonight, and it looks like pretty much any other springer mount out there, an adjustable brace with HEIM bearings holding the caliper in place. Am I missing something or did Al's have a different design? I do know that American treated Al like a dick and I do not agree with that, but unfortunately this hobby is full of artists with little or no people skills or business sense.

Moe, sent you a pm but I will explain again. The stay bracket you have will be fine. The one they were experimenting with at the time I bought mine was a poor design and was aimed strictly as a cosmetic change. The design I had was a solid bar with 2 thin bronze sleeves pressed in the ends where the bolt goes. The sleeves as I said were bronze and the bolts were chrome button heads. As the front end exercises up and down the brass sleeves started wearing out and eventually walked on top the bolt and snapped the head off.Now when it came to replacing it I told the insurance company that I felt the whole front end was compromised and wanted a total replacement and they agreed. So when I called american suspension(now called american builder) and got the shaft I decided that I would no longer deal with this company plain and simple. Here's a pic of the bad design stay bracket.

[Moespeeds]

I gotcha Al, yes mine is definately different. I had a similar issue with my Ultima Inverted front end, and that's a big part of why I decided to replace the whole front end to begin with.

[outdoorsman26]

does it really matter what we think??? If you like it fuckin run it!!!! If you think its sick buy it and be different!!! but if you you are not sure go with t[I]he triple trees thats just my thoughts!!!!

[MonsterX]

do springers need shock absorbers? Some have them some do not. Does that change the ride?

[Dogdaz]

Rides better also.