Suspension Springer Front End

[ChrisC]

Hi
anybody done a springer front end conversion on a 2003 hugger... what do you recommend, size, bits n'all.... and was it worth the effort ?

cheers

[grbrown]

Chris,

Interesting question. I came across this website that supplies them for Sportsters, even 2 inches under stock length, which may well suit your Hugger.

[dodgyloner]

Hi Chris

Before websites like the one posted started turning out kits, it used to be that customisers would adapt/fit the springer front end from a 45 WL - the necks were similar and this could be done without too much trouble. A guy on Flatheadpower.com recently retro converted an evo Sportster into a WL lookalike quite successfully.

Bear in mind that you would be going back to suspension from the 1940s era which was a bit cruder than todays standards to put it mildly (looks excellent though!). It may be possible to fit the early 40s fork damper or the late 40s fork mounted shock absorber to a modern springer kit conversion to make it handle better.

In addition to the forks themselves you may have to buy and fit things like bearing cups, bearings, axle kit, brake caliper bracket, handlebar mounts, indicator mounts, headlight bracket and mudguard adaptor mount to get the thing rolling again. This could add half again to the cost of a basic fork kit. Beware also possible import duties and VAT if you buy from outside EU.

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by dodgyloner

Beware also possible import duties and VAT if you buy from outside EU.

Having purchased a lot of stuff from the States over the last 30+ years, it is not often stuff comes through without these charges!

The US dealer will add quite hefty shipping charges and if he declares the full value of the shipment, including shipping costs (which he is legally required to do within the USA) duty and VAT will be added by HM Customs (for packages worth more than £18). In addition, the UK shipper will charge for collecting those taxes. Reckon on at least a 20 percent hike over US shipped price, especially on valuable goods.

[Limey_Dave]

Originally Posted by dodgyloner

Hi Chris

Before websites like the one posted started turning out kits, it used to be that customisers would adapt/fit the springer front end from a 45 WL - the necks were similar and this could be done without too much trouble. A guy on Flatheadpower.com recently retro converted an evo Sportster into a WL lookalike quite successfully.

Bear in mind that you would be going back to suspension from the 1940s era which was a bit cruder than todays standards to put it mildly (looks excellent though!). It may be possible to fit the early 40s fork damper or the late 40s fork mounted shock absorber to a modern springer kit conversion to make it handle better.

In addition to the forks themselves you may have to buy and fit things like bearing cups, bearings, axle kit, brake caliper bracket, handlebar mounts, indicator mounts, headlight bracket and mudguard adaptor mount to get the thing rolling again. This could add half again to the cost of a basic fork kit. Beware also possible import duties and VAT if you buy from outside EU.

[kevscrivener]

That's pretty, ain't it? Jim Nichol from Leeds built one ages ago, used to be a regular at HDRCGB rallies; he called it a "Sport-tail" and as the name implies it had a Softail back end.

Much neater than the Heritage Springer IMO, and more faithful to the original; in fact since the 45 begat the Ironhead which in turn begat the Evo Sporty, it's come full circle!

I could seriously fancy that myself.

[grbrown]

Remarkable! Gives Chris something to get his teeth into....

[dodgyloner]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

Thats the one. Milwaukee Belle does have a knack of making a pretty complicated (and probably very expensive) custom job look effortless - but just right.

There are a huge amount of 45 related bits in that as well as a donor Evo Sportster.

As Kev says, the 45 "morphed" into the current Sportster over about 3 generations so its not a million miles away to start with.

Karl

PS - That seats always intruiged me - anyone know how it was done? Looks like a seat post but cant be....?

[ChrisC]

Thanks, some good stuff.

[SX 150]

I'm halfway through fitting a set of DNA springer's to what is a fairly standard Evo softail custom front frame.
http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...ger-forks.html
DNA chrome standard length forks- £470 (I was lucky usually £580ish)
Set of Timken bearings and races £20 ish of e-bay- just knocked the old ones out and forks straight in,- no issues (I could of gotten away with the old ones but why take short cuts), but its the extras that cost the money
A decent brake set up £300. A set of risers I wanted offset dog-bones- £90- standard risers are UNC springer's UNF and a nightmare to find here.
I've got to cut and run all the wiring through the z bars (£70) from the US.
Finding parts for springer's is not easy there's not much on e-bay so you end up paying top $ as all the parts command a premium price.
Total bill for the front end about £1250.