Need Info on a Springer Front end.

skully

skully

Active Member
Calendar Participant
for those of you that have installed a springer or for those that ride a springer. what do you feed is the differance between the stock and the springer front end. i have been looking at a springer for the k-9 but i have also been told that the ride is harsh compaired to the stock unit. any differance in the handling, steering etc. if you changed yours over, would you do it again? what are some of the install problems that you ran into? rotor, brake and fender mounts, and etc. good:up: , bad:down: or indifferent:confused: , let me know

Dave
 
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Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
My Shovel wore a Paughco springer but can't give you a comparison from a BD!
 
alhall88

alhall88

UAW
No problem J.T. I just didn't think anybody would be interested.
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OK dave here goes. First I will assume you have read the 3 threads that I posted on removing your front end,how to install a springer front end, and the last article about my crash.You may find some answers there as well. I will only speak about the american suspension dragon springer front end because that is all the experience I have had with a springer. Although I have a few buds who run a different type and they told me there advise. If you want your trail to be correct and due to the fact that your neck ankle is less than 40deg. you will not be able to run any raked trees or offset trees. When I say 0 offset I'm talking about the the distance between your handle bar mounts and the fork tubes. Your current setup has a 1 inch offset.This is all due to the fact that the front wheel centerline will be 6 inches forward of the fork centerline. That being said you will need a spacer under your handle bars so your speedo clears your tank. I believe the K9 has 39 deg. rake in the neck and 3 in the trees. So based on that your saying the front end is also 12 over so the new front end will be about 10 over due to that the new trees will have no rake. I went from a total of 10 over down to 8 over. Yes I also had to buy a new front caliper and mount as well. You could have someone make you a custom mount and reuse your caliper but it wouldn't look to good due to its size.As far as vibration, I picked up a little but nothing major due to the fact that the front end I have also uses a hydraulic shock inside the spring. The other issue is that you have to shorten the turning radius due to the o offset on the trees and although this does not affect the riding in any way it is a little problem when parking. The bike handled fine but I will say I miss the extra weight on the front end. But if looks is a at the top of your list you will get compliments from everyone. The front end I used also has a roller bearing at every pivot point so no greasing the front bushings every 5000 miles like some springers. Now some of the bad would I do it again ? NO. The reason I say this is after wrecking my bike because the front caliper bolt broke I just cringe everytime I see a springer with the front caliper ahead of the front axle and think of it breaking loose. I forgot to also mention you can mount a fender if you buy the extra brackets. In my opinion and many others I asked, springers work best when there is a neck rake over 42 deg but not more than 46 deg. If our neck angles were greater than you could use a raked tree along with a standard offset. I hope this answers most of your questions but let me know.
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D

Dogdaz

Member
Girder front end

I like my girder and have tried both springer and girder. Both work well and improve ride qualities. I think its personal preference on looks.

I think the girder looks more raked.
 
alhall88

alhall88

UAW
I would have to agree, a girder is a little different in that it also has flex along with some dampening to absorb the bumps. Also allows for additional offset.
 
TCALZ06

TCALZ06

Well-Known Member
Dogdaz said:
I like my girder and have tried both springer and girder. Both work well and improve ride qualities. I think its personal preference on looks.

I think the girder looks more raked.
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Do you have any pics of it from the front?
Who did your install?

Alhall,

Your front end was the best looking I've seen yet. Does that front end also have another problem? I think I read something about american suspension having their fork tubes crack or something
 
alhall88

alhall88

UAW
The only problem I had with my front end was with the caliper stay bracket that snapped off the bolt and caused me to wreck. American Suspension has had several issues that I know of and have not seen them step up to the plate on any of these issues. Fuck them.
 
D

Dogdaz

Member
Girder

It is a Gambler unit and they have had no problems, Its built different than a springer in that four tubes top to bottom and welded at both ends. The travel is smoother also because of short links that are all ball bearing. I installed it, very easy no problem at all. It comes assembled but you have to partial dissemble to get it on. Bruce Mollett at Gambler would be glad to talk with you and would give you no pressure. Its been perfect so far and very smooth ride that gets a lot of looks and comments.



 
J.T.

J.T.

Active Member
Thanks Al.

I really like the looks of the girder setup, but could you make it shorter to keep the bottom of the frame parallel with the ground. I don't like how his is raised up in the front.
 
D

Dogdaz

Member
Girder

They make it to your specs. I wanted to get my frame up in the front it was too low and drug going over drives or speed bumps. I told them I wanted 5 inches of frame clearance and that is exactly what I have. I had only 3 to begin with.
 
BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
:2thumbs:
skully said:
for those of you that have installed a springer or for those that ride a springer. what do you feed is the differance between the stock and the springer front end. i have been looking at a springer for the k-9 but i have also been told that the ride is harsh compaired to the stock unit. any differance in the handling, steering etc. if you changed yours over, would you do it again? what are some of the install problems that you ran into? rotor, brake and fender mounts, and etc. good:up: , bad:down: or indifferent:confused: , let me know



Dude your freakin me out, Daz what I want to do too......:2thumbs:
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BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
My worry beside money is handlin too. Duz da Girder handle better than a Springer?:eek:
 
D

Dogdaz

Member
Girder

My bike rides much better than with the forks that came on the K9, much smoother and the handling is about the same. Although now I can stiffen up the front end with my hand in about 30 seconds. I have had the bike to 125 mph and rock solid. I would never change back, I have a complete K9 front end I would love to sell. I would do it over again in a heart beat! When I park with a group of BigDogs my bike is the only one seen. Every intersection, service station, bike shop, bar my bike is the topic of conversation. Not the big head just fact. Just the front end change gets the attention. You can not go wrong with a Gambler Girder and I don't work there. I loved the look of Al's bike but the girder seemed much stronger just looking before I purchased it. Being an engineer thats what I see first and looks second. Its more impressive in person than pics.
 
Sparks

Sparks

Chopper Junkie!
Dogdaz said:
My bike rides much better than with the forks that came on the K9, much smoother and the handling is about the same. Although now I can stiffen up the front end with my hand in about 30 seconds. I have had the bike to 125 mph and rock solid. I would never change back, I have a complete K9 front end I would love to sell. I would do it over again in a heart beat! When I park with a group of BigDogs my bike is the only one seen. Every intersection, service station, bike shop, bar my bike is the topic of conversation. Not the big head just fact. Just the front end change gets the attention. You can not go wrong with a Gambler Girder and I don't work there. I loved the look of Al's bike but the girder seemed much stronger just looking before I purchased it. Being an engineer thats what I see first and looks second. Its more impressive in person than pics.
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How much do you want for the K-9 front end? I would like to put it on my 03 chopper, it would give me the extra clearence needed for speed bumbs and dragin the pipes on one side and the kickstand on the other with out the price of a whole new custom front end.
 
TCALZ06

TCALZ06

Well-Known Member
Dogdaz said:
It is a Gambler unit and they have had no problems, Its built different than a springer in that four tubes top to bottom and welded at both ends. The travel is smoother also because of short links that are all ball bearing. I installed it, very easy no problem at all. It comes assembled but you have to partial dissemble to get it on. Bruce Mollett at Gambler would be glad to talk with you and would give you no pressure. Its been perfect so far and very smooth ride that gets a lot of looks and comments.



Click to expand...
looks good, where can I find them?
 
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