Topic: Springer???

[DV Red Herring]

My bike is currently a mild cahfay type of configuration. I'm thinking of more of an upright riding stance. My thought is to change the bars for more comfortable ones, but maybe also swap on a Springer fork. I like the nostalgic look, but I am not sure about the ride quality. I am aware of the stem and bearing changes etc. I am thinking of basically changing my bike into more of a cruiser type rather than a humped over mongrel that I don't like riding more than an hour at a time. Thoughts???

[PeWe]

Like this?
6" longer fork tubes. Lots of bikes had that here for many years ago.  Same bike as my avatar.

[Yamahawk]

Springer front ends look cool, but they ride like crap. There is no damping in them, and they don't have a lot of suspension travel. Now, 6" over tubes in your stock forks Will have damping that you can adjust with different weight fork oil, but the rake/trail of your bike will be way different, and it will handle poorly.
Just had one come through my buddy's shop, and it had 6" over tubes, and a Harley side stand installed, it leaned over so far, that it was a real bear to just tip upright to ride it. We took off the Harley stand, and grafted on a longer one from a Suzuki that stopped the radical lean to the side... but, the bike LOOKED cool lol.
If all you want is a cool looking bike, go for it. Or if you can find an Amen Savior frame with the springer/girder type forks, your engine will slip right in, giving you the old school chopper look.
Charlie

[spotty]

modern Harley springer front ends do have proper damping and should be adaptable to Honda steering stems with the appropriate bearing conversion

[przjohn]

Would you use a Harley front End? Curious to see what could be worked onto a Honda frame.

[MikeSimon]

I did a Springer conversion with an original HD front end. However, it was on a HD Sportster. The stem in the Springer fork cannot be changed. Suspension travel is only about 4"

[Yamahawk]

Here is a springer front end that is old school cool...
Charlie

[andy750]

Charlie really like the old school look  - bike looks great! How does it handle?

[754]

 The neck may be welded in on the springer, but it probably can be changed.

[Yamahawk]

Charlie really like the old school look  - bike looks great! How does it handle?

Hehe we don't know yet, it hasn't been started in 25+ years. But I would say it should track in a straight line pretty well, but cornering won't be its forte lol...
A fellow saw it and fell in love with it, purchased it in San Diego and trailered it to Ohio, and not sure what he did with it after that. But, it sat in his garage for the last 25 years. We are reviving it now, I just cleaned the Chromed Amal Monoblock carbs yesterday, will drain and fill the oil tank today, and see if it starts. I need a new clutch cable for it, and the shifter shaft needs a needle file in the grooves, as the splines are worn, and then some gas in the fiberglass tank!
A few swift kicks later... and we will see! It has a nice fat spark when you flip on the toggle switches on the frame by the swing arm, and kick it over...

[andy750]

Great story Charlie and definitely report back here with a ride report when its running! Very exciting!

[DV Red Herring]

I like the old school styling. I think I'll just leave my CB how it is. I built the bike with a specific vision in mind, and I just don't want to change that. I guess I'll have to start another build. Poor me.