SuzukiSavage.com - new hardtail idea! What do you think?

wickedbiker

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new hardtail idea! What do you think?
05/27/14 at 15:52:38

OK I have been toying with rear strut ideas and I want it to be as close to a real hard tail without having to go to a new frame.
So what I am wondering is has anyone done, or ever considered running struts from the top strut mount to a longer rear axle? I have been eyeing it up and thinking it just might be the next best thing to a bolt on hardtail. What do you think?
In other words a longer strut running past the bottom mount directly to the rear axle bolt, a longer one of course to hold the wheel and struts.

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S-P Serious Thumper Offline Back in the saddle again Posts: 816 Phoenix, AZ Gender:	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #1 - 05/27/14 at 17:29:41 Yep, people do that. I had a set of struts, basically a metal rod with holes on each end to mount to the frame. I think you can buy them on ebay for about 25.00. I think I threw mine away in a back yard cleanup frenzy when the Wifey went nuts one weekend....
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18095 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #2 - 05/27/14 at 18:04:18 Before you do anything labor intensive...bolt some cheap struts in and go for a ride. You might just hate the way it rides....and learn to appreciate why production bikes have shocks.
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nickthe_human

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #3 - 05/27/14 at 18:17:25

I have to agree with Dave. I love the look of hardtail bikes and I get what you are saying. The lines would flow better, but throw some cheap struts on and go on some rides. I did this and loved it at first, but after some long rides on Arkansas' super smooth Roll Eyes

interstates, I went back to shocks and just lowered them.

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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #4 - 05/27/14 at 18:30:03 nickthe_human wrote on 05/27/14 at 18:17:25: ...long rides on Arkansas' super smooth interstates... Expansion joints, err, uhh, Grand Canyons. Whatever you call 'em!
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wickedbiker

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #5 - 05/28/14 at 04:48:57

My last chop was a hard tail. Thats the Honda 750 in my avatar. I usually compensate a little by letting some of the air out of the rear tire. I'm more of a local hopper, I'm not a big highway rider. If I was I would have bought a bigger bike. So I already know what it is to have a bumpy ride and I like it about as much as my wife hates it. Theres something special about riding a bike and having a hardtail adds to that. I was really hoping there might be some pics of a build that used the rear axle instead of the bottom strut mount.

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HAPPYDAN

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #6 - 05/28/14 at 07:19:58

Dave wrote on 05/27/14 at 18:04:18:

Before you do anything labor intensive...bolt some cheap struts in and go for a ride. You might just hate the way it rides....and learn to appreciate why production bikes have shocks.

In 1971 I customized an HD 74 FLH to include an aftermarket hardtail frame and 14" over springer w/ 15 degree rake. I hated the way it rode, but it looked real cool. I realized I enjoyed the build, not the bike. It was an easy sale, thank God! Move cautiously, and don't burn your bridges!

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ihasabike Full Member Offline ^^ihasapicofit! Posts: 121	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #7 - 05/28/14 at 19:25:47 I can't understand this thread without pictures.
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nickthe_human

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #8 - 05/28/14 at 20:48:10

I know you said not a new frame, but wanted to share this one. I saw it over on the Facebook Suzuki Savage page, Looks like it uses the stock belt and is stock length.

Sorry for the large photos. They are straight from FB.

I tried contacting the owner but no response. Anywho, its an amazing build and would love to know details, but all I got are pictures to share. and its from Portugal ASP motorcycles.

I've also seen some nice hardtails on Instagram. If you're on there, search #suzukisavage #savagebobber #ls650

Sorry none of this helps, just wanted to share Roll Eyes

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paulmarshall Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1268 Carterton,New Zealand Gender:	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #9 - 05/28/14 at 22:00:56 I like it too. Wonder why the passenger pegs are still there?
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WD

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #10 - 05/28/14 at 23:37:31

paulmarshall wrote on 05/28/14 at 22:00:56:

I like it too. Wonder why the passenger pegs are still there?

Because you can buy suction cup equipped temporary pillion seats... which are almost as lousy as the stock passenger set up.

No pillion riders on either of my bikes over the age of 12 or so, with the exception of my very petite grand niece. We think she's about a size 4, Lisa says you should be able to get a size 8 on the seat comfortably. Those are USA spec dress sizes, ask your wife-girlfriend-chew toy to translate in other regions.

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S-P Serious Thumper Offline Back in the saddle again Posts: 816 Phoenix, AZ Gender:	Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think? Reply #11 - 05/28/14 at 23:58:29 Oh man... there we go with the fat front tire that I LUUUUVVV again... It looks like a stock rim and forks. Hmmm...
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wickedbiker

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Re: new hardtail idea! What do you think?
Reply #12 - 05/29/14 at 04:47:20

Yea that is about as awesome as it gets. That the first hard tail conversion I have ever seen with the belt still there, makes me wonder if they didn't find a frame to suit or fabricate to fit.looks like its made to hold a fat back tire, I'd say a 250, but instead they used the belt and regular size wheel, smart!

Is that a breather that looks like an oil bag? WOW! Now there's an Idea....
Nvrmnd. Just saw the top pic, its not. But still a good idea

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