Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Springer forks

Does anyone have experiance modifying springer forks to fit a TBA? would it be worth the expense?
I know I would probably have to get a machined steerer tube made up, and a new wheel/brake caliper/headlight etc. but this one looks ok if it would fit....

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...A:IT&ih=006

Add to that list finding the usable bearings (all- head top and bottom, axle), machining an axle, machining spacers, etc...
It would be a challenge just to make it work, but it would be unique. While I've personally not had good experiences with springers (they tend to bounce), I think they look slick. I think it would look way cool on a TBA. Bragging rights do have their merits.


Is it would be worth the expense? Only you can answer that. If it is what you want and you have the $$$ and resources to source/fabricate parts- fill your boots, bud. Send up pics when it's done!

Runner, the bearings can be bought at any bearing supply store. You just have to take measurements and it would help if you brought along your other bearings. Redneck Engineering makes an improved springer front end that does not bounce .

Thanks, I missed the bidding on the one I listed due to not taking measurements etc. so wasn't confident that it would work. I plan to pull the forks this weekend to grease bearings etc and take measurements so that I know what I'm buying will work.

When the project starts I will let you all know.

springer thread

I see those on Ebay all the time starting at $300 US $. I did some checking and they are made for a frame with 1" less space between bearings where they pivot on the frame for steering. Then there are many of the problems mentioned above. All can be over come but I decided it wasn't worth it.

There is a guy selling complete front ends with wheel,caliperand mount,headlight,risers ,and bars. They are made either 1" too tall or 1" too short too, but they make a bottom rocker to lower 1" you would have to buy seperately. The complete set up I found was about $600 US $.

Those DNA springers are reputed to be pretty poor, not to mention ugly compared to a quality HD repop springer. Some members of other boards have had the DNA springers spread apart on them.

The Harley springer with the shock is the way to go. Undoubtedly the nicest looking and no bounce. Still, would require substantial modification,(fork stops and all else that has been mentioned here). Also, serious consideration should be given to the geometry,(rake,trail). I've been considering a black Harley springer with chrome shock for my Speedmaster. Again, an awful lot of work. Keep us posted.

if you keep the wheel size the same and get a springer the same (or similar) length as the stock forks then rake/trail should be close enough to stock to not screw up the handling.

HD necks and bearings are different from the Triumph's, but you could possibly press your stem out of your bottom tree and into a springer.

When I did my front end swap I had a machinist press out the stem from my stock trees and into the other trees I used.

go with a GIRDER



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this is the one I made and as far as i know it's the only TBA/SPEEDMASTER out there with a GIRDER....

ED

You could always get a springer custom made. They're simple devices after all, I'm sure there are some crafty Aussie shops that could do it no worries...cost may be a factor though.

Springers do not have top and bottom trees like a hydro-fork does.

Runner, very few major mods on our bikes are easy because there are so few bolt on parts. Don't let that absence of parts dissuade you from building your bike your way. Adapt and modify parts to make them fit and if you run into trouble you have many members on this site that can help or send you to someone who can......ANGELIS

"If it was easy, it wouldn't be cool." --Jesse James

In the "Back Talk" section of the new February issue #75 of The Horse Back Street Chopper, there's a new Bonneville with a Springer front end from Bare Knuckle Choppers

That is the best mag out there. I have been dying for the new issue to come out.