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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> To Hardtail or not
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Message started by cFLOW on 08/13/07 at 16:29:40

Title: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/13/07 at 16:29:40

I would like to know everyones opinion about building a custom Hardtail or leaving the bike swingarm. Here are a couple pics of what im thinking. Just something similar to these.

Swingarm: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s53/Cabber_photos/Savage_bob-job_way_cool_baby.jpg

Hardtail: http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/pics/Hardtail_01_thumb.jpg

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by rigidchop on 08/13/07 at 19:04:52

i have both a hardtail bike and a swingarm savage. it is really up to you and your style of riding. if you like to ride all day the rigid might not be for you. but they look alot better imo. i'm keepin the savage a swingarm, so maybe one day my ol will want a ride. i can dream can't i?

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by jrm8486 on 08/14/07 at 17:48:52

Might go that route myself, I can't really get what I put into my bike out of it to sell so I'm just going to keep it, also might give that cut shock thing a shot!

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006/12/25/bikepics-754706-full.jpg

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/14/07 at 18:14:14

I say go for it. Once I realized that the shocks were not bottoming out Im really happy how they turn out. If you go as low as I did you might need to run the preload. My main reasoning to do the hardtail is b/c I will never be happy with my bike until it is rigid. I working on measurements now for a 2" stretch in the rear w/ the hardtail struts I have.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by jrm8486 on 08/15/07 at 04:18:02

I'm a bit leary of the struts after looking at top shock mounts. Don't look like it would take much to snap one off!

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/15/07 at 07:32:13

No what i meant was Im taking measurements with the struts on there for the complete rigid IM not riding it like that its just to get measurements

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by vroom1776 on 08/15/07 at 10:34:37

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by jmerry on 08/15/07 at 11:50:06

Anyone have any ideas of a supplier for a single seat conversion for the savage?

Thanks!

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by PhotoProf on 08/15/07 at 12:46:15

Why not do away with the front suspension and really experience the road? Just curious, what makes a hardtail so fascinating???

Title: iRe: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/15/07 at 13:42:50

I like the flow of the lines personally. It just has some will more nostalgic with a hardtail too. i guess I just want to. Heres is what i did in paint prog. its no the greatest looking but you get the idea. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s53/Cabber_photos/Picture8949-1.jpg

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by PhotoProf on 08/15/07 at 16:30:26

I agree that the lines are nice.... it would seem you would just get the tar beat out of you if the road was rough at all. Maybe if you are a young pup or are used to this type of suspension (or lack of), it may not be so bad.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/15/07 at 17:00:58

I am with the Prof. The lines of a bike are obvious when I am looking at it. I am not looking at it when I am riding it. It is a tool for hauling me from where I am to where I want to be & I want it to do it in a ceratin manner. I want it fun, comfortable, practical & I want it to be as responsive & able to haul thru corners as possible. Hitting a slope mid corner, like entering a driveway/parking lot tosses a big enough kink in the ride with a working suspension. Pulling the shocks out of the picture would force me to ride like an old woman I would think. I think it rides rough enough already.You asked for opinions. I dissent.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by Trippah on 08/15/07 at 19:41:18

I don't think a hardtail is as functional;however, they do have nice lines. As I view the bike as a transportation and not as a work of art, I will suggest not to hardtail.
My impression, however; is that that's what you really want to do so by all means, go for it.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not!
Post by serowbot on 08/15/07 at 20:21:14

Whenever I think hardtail I just think. Ouch! My butt gets enough kickin' already.
But I also like the look of 2 meaty shocks back there. Makes the tire look more substantial from the back to me.
I like the overall look of all the bikes you've pictured here though. Look forward to seeing what you come up with. Good luck!

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/15/07 at 20:31:22

I have decide I am definitely going to hardtail the frame I will start sometime this winter after I get my new welder. I plan mounting a new tank, ribbed fender, and maybe do some mid controls instead of our in-between controls we have. But it will finished hopefully by Feb. or Mar.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by serowbot on 08/15/07 at 22:54:32

Look forward to seeing the end result!
It amazes me how versatile this bike is. Most bikes made today, you just add $$$ of chrome or billet, and call it custom. They all look the same.
Such a variety of potential here!

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by theikeman on 08/15/07 at 23:49:04

jrm8486 wrote:

Very nice looking ride!! What kind of seat is that? Looks like it was made for it. Forks look great to. Instead of cutting the shocks you might consider hard tail strut conversions, there are usually several on ebay for the Savage, Shadow and Harleys and you can always go back to the stock ride and look without any cutting.
Ike
;D

Item number: 180148792626
Item number: 140044575044
Item number: 180147603224 - These look awesome
http://i3.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/9b/47/599b_1.JPG

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by rigidchop on 08/16/07 at 17:27:27

i love my hardtail. not really as bad as people think. i also have two slipped discs and a pinched nerve. my rear gets sore before my back does, and thats even on three hour rides.http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2847269300059298666rEQVSF?vhost=sports this is my bike.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by Bugscraper on 08/17/07 at 15:03:27

rigidchop wrote:

i also have two slipped discs and a pinched nerve.

Isn't that a fixable chiropractic problem?

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by rigidchop on 08/17/07 at 19:39:29

yeah, i guess it is, but when you go to the chiropractor, and she decides it's the newbies turn to have a go at you, ya kinda never want to go back. the newbie hurt me and i couldn't get outta bed. so i'll deal with it as i have been for the last 10 years.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by Bugscraper on 08/18/07 at 22:42:58

rigidchop wrote:

Too bad when that kinda thing happens. Doesn't sound like a very good 1. You owe it to yourself to give it another shot with somebody else. I literally couldn't make it without a GOOD chiropractor.

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by cFLOW on 08/19/07 at 16:53:37

As of right now the Hardtail is a no go. heres the reason why the motor mount on the bottom of the frame will be in the way of the style hardtail i wanted. So heres what i plan to do Swingarm mount a fender relocate batt. behind motor under frame. lower the front end 1.5"and make the tank fat bob style but narrow. heres a pic of it currently with tie down for lowered effect. also the tank is temp. the other tank cracked at the back mount. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s53/Cabber_photos/Picture91806.jpg

heres a pic of the motor mount as you all know, but no way to make direct weld except a bolt on style and I dont want to deal with that. So I will be looking for another motorcycle to hardtail http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s53/Cabber_photos/Picture91801.jpg

Title: Re: To Hardtail or not
Post by Bugscraper on 08/19/07 at 18:06:43

IMO, it does look better with shorter front end, as it compliments the Savage's compact dimensions -- not to mention probly creating a more desirable rake & trail. Keep us posted; I, 4 1, am very interested in your project. Let us know if you scrape, and if you feel a fork brace is no longer necessary.