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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Hard tail conversion
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Message started by littlefights on 08/14/09 at 07:54:43

Title: Hard tail conversion
Post by littlefights on 08/14/09 at 07:54:43

I'm kind of kicking around the idea of doing a bolt-on hardtail on the ol' savage. Is this particularly hard to do? And how does it affect handling? Do you have to remove the rear tire to do it?

I did a search, but didn't come up with much.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by mikestrikes on 08/14/09 at 08:33:24

If you are talking about struts then NO you wont have to remove the rear wheel.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Toymaker on 08/14/09 at 09:27:29

but you will want a sprung seat then....otherwise you will need chiropractic treatment. :)

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by kevinphan on 08/14/09 at 10:04:02

I have seen a few hardtailed Savages here and there. I'll be having mine hardtailed by the Tigman come winter.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by littlefights on 08/14/09 at 10:14:41

Yeah, I was definitely going to switch to a sprung solo seat. I'm a little worried about the bumps, but I'm also concerned about handling - does the switch make a big difference (+/-) in the way the bike rides?

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by bill67 on 08/14/09 at 10:43:56

I never rode a hard tail,but I would think when you hit a bump the wheel is going to come off the ground that would be bad in a curve.Years ago a harley guy in town had a hard tail he put 12 pounds of air in the rear tire.That seat will help you but not the bike. It was a bar hopping bike,like most harleys

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by rigidchop on 08/14/09 at 10:45:48

being that there is no springs to soak up the bumps, they just bounce. so yeah, handling is affected. if you learned how to ride a motorcycle, surely you could learn to ride one without shocks. its the same, but different.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Duane on 08/14/09 at 11:43:30

Sounds like a bad idea to me if you plan to realy ride the bike. I have seen a couple on the forum though.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Charon on 08/14/09 at 11:54:40

If you are a rear brake user, it will have bad effects. When you hit bumps the rear wheel bounces up and clears the ground. That allows the wheel to lock, and it will skid when you land. The rear springs force the wheel down more quickly than gravity, so the tire stays in contact with the road.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by rigidchop on 08/14/09 at 12:45:28

without trying to start a debate, i'll just say i ride the crap outta mine. no its not the savage.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Serowbot on 08/14/09 at 16:13:34

If your mechanical abilities leave you concerned about removing the rear wheel,.. I wouldn't recommend trying to hardtail it...
Give yourself a little time to gain experience....

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by clueless on 08/14/09 at 19:16:51

I still have the stock shocks on mine and swear it's a hard tail. You gotta have a hard tail to deal with the stock shocks. 8-)

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Demin on 08/14/09 at 19:52:58

Depends on where live on how bad it is.In Texas,not too bad.In Ohio not good.
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2008/05/23/bikepics-1298492-800.jpg

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by littlefights on 08/14/09 at 22:43:35

I'm not doubting my mechanical abilities so much as I just don't have a good place to work on it. I live in an apartment and don't have a lift, so getting the rear wheel off would be a pain. But your point is well taken.

Seems the consensus is that this is probably a not great idea. I think I'll hold off until I get a chance to ride a hardtail and see how it feels. Thanks for the input all.

Title: Re: Hard tail conversion
Post by Demin on 08/15/09 at 05:55:48

A regular jack will work to get one wheel or the other up.