Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner America with Springer Front end

For those of you who are interested, the summer issue of Torque magazine, page 26, lower-left corner. D&D Import Cycle's custom America with a springer front end. I don't see anything about it on their website.

Friar John...
Like you, I've tried to find out more about this Springer!! Does anyone have any details? It sure would look good on my Scoot !!

Everyone already talking about Torque ..... probably be weeks until I set eyes on it. Intrigued by the Springer Concept though, how does it actually suit the bike as far as asthetically ???

I work down in Hampton, VA next week. It's <20 miles from D&D. If I can get off for a couple of hours (7x 12 hour shifts), I'll scope it out and get back to the group with the specifics.

Don't forget your camera!!!

Sent the following to the D&D webmaster (no email for customer service or sales from what I can see). If anyone has anymore questions, throw them my way.

Dear Sirs,

I saw a picture of an America with a springer front end in the latest issue of Torque magazine associated with your business. This picture has generated much interest amongst members of www.bonnevilleamerica.com . If time permits could you answer some questions? Specifically:

1. Who did the work and what is their contact information?
2. How much for the modification?
3. Were changes made to the frame (neck) area to accommodate the modification?
4. What’s the current wheel base in inches?
5. Is there a rake? If, so at what degree?
6. How is handling and braking affected?
7. Is the bike still on the premises?

I’d like to stop in next week and take some more detailed digital photos with you permission, is this OK?

Appreciate Your Time,

tdziak@hotmail.com

Quote:

---

Intrigued by the Springer Concept though, how does it actually suit the bike as far as asthetically ???

---

To me.... not so good, not awful, just not how I'd do it. I've entertained the idea of a springer mostly 'cuz I like the way they look. The D&D bike though, well the front end just isn't beefy enough. Looks like they've definitely gone over the stock length, maybe 4" ????, but also kept the original front wheel. Needs a bigger diameter wheel on the front OR retain the stock fork length and use a much heavier, or would brawny be the word, springer.

But that's just me......

Show me a picture! Where's the picture! Let me see!

Here's the response I received from D&D to my email. Unfortunately, it looks like the bike is on its way off the lot in "a day or two" and I won't be able to see it up close due work committments. D&D can be contacted at (757) 423-1082 for additional info ........

----- Original Message -----
From: Bryan D&D Import Cycle
To: Thomas Dziak
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 9:07 AM
Subject: Re: America Springer


Thomas, Thanks for the query.We did the work here in house on this . We are currently doing another one for a customer from Charlottesville VA.We left the frame rake stock at 33 degrees and did an over all length extension of 3 ". on the forks. This way we could use the stock wheel and brakes so the engine still sets fairly level in the frame. We had to make some different Brackets to remount the frt brake and change some spacers in the wheel as also with the bearings.It actually rides pretty decent for a springer. Of course it is not as smooth as the factory forks. There was quite a bit of machine work to do to mount the top tree on the bike. Also had to remove the steering lock from the neck for turning clearance which is also reduced a bit even after the removal.The second one will have a chrome tank and custom paint with all the Triumph chrome bits on it and stock handle bars. Should look very cool when done.The brown one is here for a little bit of touch up work for a day or 2 but the other will be here in one stage or another until June 30th before we deliver it.Hope this helps.Thanks




----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas Dziak
To: bryan@danddimportcycles.com
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 12:11 AM
Subject: America Springer


Dear Sirs,

I saw a picture of an America with a springer front end in the latest issue of Torque magazine associated with your business. This picture has generated much interest amongst members of www.bonnevilleamerica.com . If time permits could you answer some questions? Specifically:

1. Who did the work and what is their contact information?
2. How much for the modification?
3. Were changes made to the frame (neck) area to accommodate the modification?
4. What’s the current wheel base in inches?
5. Is there a rake? If, so at what degree?
6. How is handling and braking affected?
7. Is the bike still on the premises?

I’d like to stop in next week and take some more detailed digital photos with you permission, is this OK?

Appreciate Your Time,

tdziak@hotmail.com

The way the BA and SM necks are designed it would take a lot of time to put the springer front end on. D & D confirms that thought. If they say a lot of machining involved that means the price matches the machine time. I would assume a couple grand they would charge and thats to do it right. The springer is a nice look for the BA and i hope to see more of them around.


Fryguy

john,
what is it you say about posts that tease without a photo?
mert

Yep, that's the one!

The guys at D&D said this was a swap, not requiring any modification to the head, i.e. cut/weld.......and that they are considering a kit format...price range of $3 to $4 K
And by the way, look close to that picture in Torque, it looks like a girder not a springer...simular but there is a difference

Here's a scan from torque. May take a while to display for slower connects. Keep in mind the picture in torque was relatively small.

Dang.... I could buy an entire chopper for $3-4K !!!

Does nothing for me !!!!

Yes... this front end does look similar to a girder, but note the leading-link connection to the axle... springer-type.

thats awesome i want it

The front end on the one in the pic needs to be shorter or frame raked more.

That springer looks very similar to the one Bob Oswald offered on his website, for $2200 or so. It's not there anymore, but they are updating the site, so maybe it'll be available later. And yes, that is a springer. I've owned both and don't want another of either one - especially a girder, I felt like I was on a pogo stick.

Quote:

---

I've owned both and don't want another of either one - especially a girder, I felt like I was on a pogo stick.

---

man when was the last time you rode with one i have been useing the one i made going on 2 years now with no trouble at all.. and mine does not pogo at all pat has rode mine bike and will tell you that it is as smooth as silk and any one that rode with me will tell you the same thing

BIKER

I suspect that a girder would fit around the fork lock better. Besides that, it would be more authentic pre- '49 Triumph looking.

yes my girder fork does use the stock triumph fork lock..and that is why i went with a girder over a springer on my triumph a girder is much more a triumph thing

BIKER

Quote:

---

man when was the last time you rode with one

---

Biker,
It's been 25 years or so. I just got turned off by it. I guess technology has improved. Look at BMW's front ends, they're apparently based on a springer design, but part of it is attached to the frame.

Anyone have a picture of a girder front end on one of the new trumps?

yes


this is my bike more pic's in my gallery..this girder was made by me it's the only one out there and the only one on a new TBA...

BIKER

Are my eyes deceiving me or is it longer than stock, so that the bottom of the frame is no longer parallel to the ground?

yes it is longer.....but i can make it parallel to the ground just by putting diffrent shock's on it..

BIKER

I love the girder and the beefy front tire. I'll bet it rides pretty good, too.