Springer or not....?

[newbie dog]

Okay, once again I'm torchering myself with the decision of adding a springer front end...I've talked to several local custom shops and get a different opinion each time. The only concensus is American Suspension is a piece of crap. I know a few guys run them on the forum so please chime in...let me know what you think of your American Suspension springer...

Here are my options so far

1) American Suspension Dragon; great look

2) Denvers Choppers

3) Redneck Engineering

4) Paughco

5) A still a fav is adding the tribal triple trees and dressing up the current front end :bang: This is what Gas runs and it looks awesome.

So let me know your comments...for those running a springer do you like the ride, performance, etc? Thank you in advance for the info...I've learned a lot from all of you in the first year of BDM ownership...Yesterday I rode the dog in 37 degree weather and it rocked! :2thumbs:

 

[waykool]

Love the tribal triple trees. Fuggen Sweet!

 

[BBChopper]

Love the tribal triple trees. Fuggen Sweet!

2nd that one!:2thumbs:

 

[Raywood]

I think you should state what you expect out of the front end!

Do you NEED suspension?
Will you be doing cross country runs with it?
Do you need a fender?
Will it just be your barhopper?
Is money an option?
Are you just looking for show/flash?
You will need different brake/s!

Many of you have seem my posts before on my old Paughco springer I had on my HD. It road like a truck and didn't fit in with my cross country riding style. It wasn't the new style though, they now come with dampened shocks that are suppost to give a lot better ride.
You will need different brake set up. I had duel single PM pucks on mine.
Fenders are a pain on a springer and some don't look very good.
But in my book they still look the best and I like that American Springer but there are a lot of horror stories with them. I think it would look kool with a 360 brake.
But for my riding style I need the tubes with long fender. Maybe my next barhopper I will go back to a springer.

Just depends on what you need it for I would think.
Happy shopping,
Ray

 

[Staffy]

Very well articulated Raywood.
Not much debate about the looks - at least not from me. Have always liked the look and am anxious to get one. OK make that really anxious to get one.
Too many horror stories – That’s true and is probably the only reason that keeps me from pulling the trigger. Was at the International Motorcycle Show – Friday and saw a couple of bikes with the American Suspension Dragon...besides looking great they looked solid. But then again looks can be deceiving.
From what I have gathered some of the design flaws have been addressed and corrected. But then again, based on Al’s how to it appears to be a bit more trouble than necessary – handle bar offsets, etc. http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/270-how-install-american-suspension-springer.html
They (American Suspension) should be approached to specifically design one for the DOG – that would increase their sales tremendously. Need a volunteer to take the lead, along with a group buy. I’m in for one piece probably two.
Most importantly, chime in members. I saw one of us who is in the process of installing a Redneck Engineering front end. Feedback would be great.
Thanks all.

 

[STING]

the american is kool, id like to have one.What kind og mulla we talkin?

 

[Mickeetwo]

As far as looks the American Suspension Dragon hands down the best looking. Not sure about function though

 

[alhall88]

I'll say this and feel free to ask any builder there opinion. Springers work great at certain rake angles but again that depends on the rocker length also. I hate to say this but our big dogs really do not have enough neck angle to let a springer do what it needs to. But mfg. 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. Your turning radius will be greatly compromised as well with the american suspension spinger. This is something that does not affect when you ride but an absolute bitch on bike night when you are trying to back in a parking spot. Denver's makes a great springer however in my opinion wouldn't look good on a newer style bike like ours. Have you looked at the new design type springers that mean street products and rolling thunder came out with? May not be the style you want but its a different look.

 

[Moespeeds]

I agree with Al. I talked to a few guys when I was trying to decide what to do. I'm all about the way the bike looks, and put more thought into form than function, but I'm also 95% barhopping so I don't give a shit about how it rides. In my opinion, the springer looks kinda shitty unless you get that neck raked more. 36 degrees just isn't enough, the bike looks de-raked.

 

[newbie dog]

I'll say this and feel free to ask any builder there opinion. Springers work great at certain rake angles but again that depends on the rocker length also. I hate to say this but our big dogs really do not have enough neck angle to let a springer do what it needs to. But mfg. 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. Your turning radius will be greatly compromised as well with the american suspension spinger. This is something that does not affect when you ride but an absolute bitch on bike night when you are trying to back in a parking spot. Denver's makes a great springer however in my opinion wouldn't look good on a newer style bike like ours. Have you looked at the new design type springers that mean street products and rolling thunder came out with? May not be the style you want but its a different look.

Al and Ray-thanks for the info...I'm concerned about function...my dog is for riding I'm leaning towards the tribal triple trees...now if Gas can tell me where he got the fork bezels

 

[alhall88]

Al and Ray-thanks for the info...I'm concerned about function...my dog is for riding I'm leaning towards the tribal triple trees...now if Gas can tell me where he got the fork bezels

He got them from mean street products. Also be ready for some machine work as well with the tree change. He had to face off .100 off his left side hub to center the rotor, shave .150 per side off the fender mounts on the lower legs, and of course respace the front wheel. It appears the big dog tree spacing was .300 wider than stock. Don't know if they are all like this or not but be ready.

 

[Gas Man]

He got them from mean street products. Also be ready for some machine work as well with the tree change. He had to face off .100 off his left side hub to center the rotor, shave .150 per side off the fender mounts on the lower legs, and of course respace the front wheel. It appears the big dog tree spacing was .300 wider than stock. Don't know if they are all like this or not but be ready.

OH the joys of custom

 

[cavracer21]

lol, speakin of that machining nightmare, howd that work out gas. its been awhile...

 

[Gas Man]

Well its on and working... so I guess it went well!!

 

[alhall88]

lol, speakin of that machining nightmare, howd that work out gas. its been awhile...

Look who got dragged out by the cat. Where the fuck you been?

 

[gearsmithy]

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]

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]

Updates to come

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!:bang: 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!:up:

 

[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]

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!:bang: 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!:up:

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.