OT: Question for you Bobber guys

[mytlo56]

So I'm looking at doing a Bonnie Bobber. I've got it pretty well figured out except one thing:

As I'm pretty new to bikes, how do you lower the front end? I want a level look w/ a short fork, rather than the chopper reverse rake, where the front is higher than the rear.

Thanks

[gettingreasy]

I cut the springs and ground the ends flat for the front of my Trump. Worked well and looks good to. I use Screaming eagle type E fork oil to so It doesn't bounce alot or bottom out.
-Jesse

[rikaguilera]

It depends on what front end you have. I have cut tubes, springs, replaced springs to get a lower fork. What do you have. You can buy fork tubes that you can cut to your desired length, whether you are going over or under.

['Flyin' Dutchman']

I'm probably gonna cut the springs on mine... I found Iron Head Sportster forks yesterday in my friends barn... With hard chromed legs... He wants 80 bucks for 'em, with new seals... I hope I can fit those on my Trump...!!

[rikaguilera]

The head tube may be a different size. If so, you can buy a replacement head tube from a couple of motorcycle supply shops. That would be the only hold up.

['Flyin' Dutchman']

Yeah,
I already recognized that the Triumph tube is smaller in diameter... Ah, we'll find something out...

[rikaguilera]

Custom Chrome sells a replacment tube for about 100 bucks. I have used it on Trump frames and an older Amen frame, so that I could use a wide glide front end that I had. It sits at about 30degrees if I am not mistaken.

[mytlo56]

Cool. Thanks guys. Can I get some pic.'s of your rides? Always searching for ideas.

As this will be my first crack at a bike, I'm thinking of buying a restored Bonnie, purchasing the bolt on hard tail, lowering the front end to level w/ the rear, picking up some dirt track bars, and having a springer seat upholstered in some weird material like ostrich or gator.

Can you guys tell me where you ran into trouble building your bikes? I'd like to know what I'm getting into here.

['Flyin' Dutchman']

100 bucks... So it'll probably cost 350 here in The Netherlands!
I think we're just gonna use the lathe.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

['Flyin' Dutchman']

Oh Mytlo.... I don't even know about colors yet... All I now is that my seat is gold flaked (NOS Bates sparkle seat)...
And yesterday I found some white footpeg and shifter rubbers... For 3 bucks..! haha!!

[rikaguilera]

Yeah Dutchman, I think I would do the same thing in your case. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[choprods]

I used a Kneck from an old dirt bike[free]

[1bdsinner]

IF IT IS NARROWGLIDE HARLEY STYLE FRONT END YOU CAN DO THE POOR MANS LOWERING KIT BY LOOSENING THE TORQUE HEAD BOLTS ON THE TRIPLE TREES,MAKE SURE TO SUPPORT THE FRAME THOUGH AND YOU CAN SLIDE THE FORK TUBES UP. iT KINDA LOOKS FUNNY WITH TUBE ABOVE THE TRIPLE TREE BUT WHEN YOU PUT A MEXICAN BLANKET ON YOUR HANDLE BARS IT IS ALL GOOD. IF YOU NEED A FRT END LET ME KNOW i HAVE 3 OF THE NARROW GLIDES. OR I HAVE 2 PAIRS OF WIDE GLIDE TRIPLE TREES AND 3 SETS OF CHROME LOWER LEGS. ALSO A STOCK HARLEY FX SPRINGER WILLING TO DO SOME TRADES ON A PAUGHO FRT END STOCK LEGNTH.