Sugar Bear K9

Energy One
Chopper-Dave

Chopper-Dave

Member
Hello Big Dogs,

So over a decade ago I started a chopper build, basically starting with a bare frame. I've know for over 30 years I always wanted one of Sugar Bears front ends. So about 11 years my wife and decided to meet up with Sugar Bear at his shop in Gardena, Ca on the way to see family in Ventura and SD. To make a long story short, I placed my order on that day for a 28 over front end. About 4 months later it arrived. Well with kids, and just the business of life, the chopper build stalled out and took a back seat. Fast forward to about 6 months ago, I got a good deal on a 2006 K9. As I sat in the garage staring at the dusty front end in the corner and the k9, I began to ponder. A few beers later I really started thinking, then after a few Jim Beams/Cokes I decided to break out the tape measure and start measuring things.

Dam I thought, the Classic Rock Radio was sounding pretty good on Pandora, and the Beams were definitely hitting the spot. But it seemed like it could work. Well here are a few pics of the project. Did have to have fabricate an adapter plate for the bars, so that I did not have to change anything on the bars. Curtis over at Wild Steed Worx hooked me up with a longer cable, and a few other odds, and ends, but other than that it rides great. I think it might even turn a little easier, it is like having power steering... Have a great weekend Tribe. Here are a few pics.. Davechopper dave.jpgchopper dave 1.jpgchopper dave chop.jpgmy sweetheart.jpeg
 
Mickmorris

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Chopper-Dave said:
Hello Big Dogs,

So over a decade ago I started a chopper build, basically starting with a bare frame. I've know for over 30 years I always wanted one of Sugar Bears front ends. So about 11 years my wife and decided to meet up with Sugar Bear at his shop in Gardena, Ca on the way to see family in Ventura and SD. To make a long story short, I placed my order on that day for a 28 over front end. About 4 months later it arrived. Well with kids, and just the business of life, the chopper build stalled out and took a back seat. Fast forward to about 6 months ago, I got a good deal on a 2006 K9. As I sat in the garage staring at the dusty front end in the corner and the k9, I began to ponder. A few beers later I really started thinking, then after a few Jim Beams/Cokes I decided to break out the tape measure and start measuring things.

Dam I thought, the Classic Rock Radio was sounding pretty good on Pandora, and the Beams were definitely hitting the spot. But it seemed like it could work. Well here are a few pics of the project. Did have to have fabricate an adapter plate for the bars, so that I did not have to change anything on the bars. Curtis over at Wild Steed Worx hooked me up with a longer cable, and a few other odds, and ends, but other than that it rides great. I think it might even turn a little easier, it is like having power steering... Have a great weekend Tribe. Here are a few pics.. DaveView attachment 105650View attachment 105651View attachment 105652View attachment 105653
Click to expand...
That is freaking awesome! :cheers: :chopper:
 
pknowles

pknowles

RETIRED
Chopper-Dave said:
Hello Big Dogs,

So over a decade ago I started a chopper build, basically starting with a bare frame. I've know for over 30 years I always wanted one of Sugar Bears front ends. So about 11 years my wife and decided to meet up with Sugar Bear at his shop in Gardena, Ca on the way to see family in Ventura and SD. To make a long story short, I placed my order on that day for a 28 over front end. About 4 months later it arrived. Well with kids, and just the business of life, the chopper build stalled out and took a back seat. Fast forward to about 6 months ago, I got a good deal on a 2006 K9. As I sat in the garage staring at the dusty front end in the corner and the k9, I began to ponder. A few beers later I really started thinking, then after a few Jim Beams/Cokes I decided to break out the tape measure and start measuring things.

Dam I thought, the Classic Rock Radio was sounding pretty good on Pandora, and the Beams were definitely hitting the spot. But it seemed like it could work. Well here are a few pics of the project. Did have to have fabricate an adapter plate for the bars, so that I did not have to change anything on the bars. Curtis over at Wild Steed Worx hooked me up with a longer cable, and a few other odds, and ends, but other than that it rides great. I think it might even turn a little easier, it is like having power steering... Have a great weekend Tribe. Here are a few pics.. DaveView attachment 105650View attachment 105651View attachment 105652View attachment 105653
Click to expand...
I tried to "like" this twice but it wont let you. The more i look at it the more i like it.
 
Chopper-Dave

Chopper-Dave

Member
mleach72 said:
That looks awesome, but I can't go without a front brake. Too many distracted drivers that just don't see motorcycles.
Click to expand...
Oh know a front brake is going on it for sure. At the time I put it together I did not have the spacer I needed for the Caliper Bracket. I agree with you. To be honest it was trippy to ride without a front brake, as I grew up racing motorcycles and probably use my front brake 70% of the time, so yep it will definitely have a 4piston front brake. I just had to throw it together while I was waiting on the spacer. But right on MLeach72!!!!!
 
Jersey Big Mike

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
Ok, it's official - I hate you!

But seriously I am so jealous as that is one of front end options I'd like on my K-9. My other choice was an inverted springer from a company yrs ago called jeri-springers.
Now that I am retired this isn't going to happen unless I hit the lotto --not in the budget.
But if it ever needs a good home and one where it'll be ridden keep me in mind.

Looks great dude.
 
Chopper-Dave

Chopper-Dave

Member
pknowles said:
I tried to "like" this twice but it wont let you. The more i look at it the more i like it.
Click to expand...
PKNOWLES, right on.. Yeah it was one of those things I was not sure how it would look. I mean I love old school narrow springers for sure. But the original intent was to go on my old paughco frame, that had a 45 degree rake with 6 inches of stretch in legs, and 3 inches in backbone, with a skinnier tier to capture that old skool look. What I pondered a lot about over a few PBR's was whether or not the K9 was going to flow right. Because I believe the K9 has a 39degree rake, well with the triple trees thats another 3 degrees, but now I am removing the trees, so I am dealing with 39 degrees and a 28 over springer. So lots of beers and lots of staring, and lots of grabbing the front end and holding front end next to it, while I pondered. I defintely did not want the frame geometry to change a lot, meaning the frame be much higher in the front, versus level.

I called Sugar Bear and asked him what he thought, he thought it might work as I am using his Number 4 Rocker, which pushes that front tire out front, so the rake might just work out. But Sugar Bear always had the peaceful, soft tone, and would always tell me, well your just going to have to try it in this confident calm voice. So basically I just went for it. Hell PKNOWLES, I even used the same Neck Bearings, I just cleaned them up and regreased them... But as I lowered the jack, and it began to take shape, I was like dam this is settling in pretty good. It rides like a dream. It looks kind of like a ghost freight train coming towards you with that big headlight. I will be putting the front brake on it soon, its weird riding without one for me. I just did not have the spacer I needed. But yeah with the Fat Ass Tire, and that Narrow Glide in the Front, kind of looks like a Dragster, an old Rail..... Have a Bitchin Weekend....
 
Chopper-Dave

Chopper-Dave

Member
Jersey Big Mike said:
Ok, it's official - I hate you!

But seriously I am so jealous as that is one of front end options I'd like on my K-9. My other choice was an inverted springer from a company yrs ago called jeri-springers.
Now that I am retired this isn't going to happen unless I hit the lotto --not in the budget.
But if it ever needs a good home and one where it'll be ridden keep me in mind.

Looks great dude.
Click to expand...
Hello Jersey Big Mike, LOL Right On Man.. Yeah I am pretty stoked about it.. I purchased the thing over a decade ago, they were not cheap then. But I could not imagine what one would cost today with everything going thru the roof. Essentially this is why I did not finish my ground up build on my old skool chopper. When I found this used k9 for sale at a killer price I jumped on it, as it was cheaper for a whole bike than just the motor I was looking at for my build, that did not count the tranny and everything else I needed. It was frustrating as I knew I was never going to be able to afford finishing it. Unless I hit the lottery. So now I got a mix of old skool and new skool with the K9. I have only ridden this k9 literally a few times, and have never had a fat tire bike, but grew up riding about everything. The wife asked me if I have ever ridden before when she seen me making slow turns on this thing. I guess Ill just need a few days to get used to the big tire. Thanks Man..... Have a great weekend....
 
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