springer front end

Is it possible for me to put a springer front end on my maxim and what would it take, new everything? I think it would add a lot to the look i'm going for. Also, would it be a comfortable as regular forks?

 

Short answere is, Yes it is possible. It would take a ton of work, and NEW EVERYTHING. your rotors, wheel, calipers, none of that would work or line up.

 

You would need an entire front end, as pointed out above.

NO, it won't be as comfortable as an hydraulic front end, which is why hydraulics replaced springers sometime in the late '30s.

Nor will it provide as stable handling, or hold the road as well as modern hydraulic forks do, especially at any speed above walking.

There are reasons that motorcycle suspension evolved over the last 100 years; if springer front ends were better we'd still see them in wide use.

Installing a springer front end on a bike like the XJ with its speed potential is courting disaster. Show bike, ok, but if you want to ride it... I wouldn't.

 

then why do half of the new hardllys have springers?


a widely used springer is the DNA springer on ebay, about 350 brand new and it comes with an axle and caliper kit.

it's made for a hardly but there is a conversion for it.. this works on xs650 necks, I dont know if they're the same as xj's, do some research, but you get new bearings for an xs and use a 1" trailer axle race (same bearing as a harley neck)

here's a how to http://www.thechopperunderground.com/fo ... opic=50017

it will be easiest to run a harldly front wheel on it

 

thanks for the info everyone.

i really like the look and simplicity of the springers and i thought it might be fun to have. i've got all winter to think about it though.

 

well you see them on Harley's because when is the last time you saw a harley blistering down the highway, and throwing the bike into sharp turns? hahahaha. you show me a guy who throws his harley into sharp turns, and I'll show you a guy that replaces his shoes more than his tires. 90% of harley riders are Foot draggers. and with that in mind they dont know that the springer they are buying isnt the latest technology, they just think its cool cuz its got more chrome.

 

There's only one new Harley model with a springer front end called the Crossbones, a throw back to old school charm. People put springers on their bike for the look and not having to rebuild those hydraulic front ends every couple years. Your not going to see Harley riders going fast thru turns as they are riding a cruiser bike, and the only foot draggers I've seen ride dirt bikes or they are a newbie rider. BTW Harley changed over to hydraulic front ends a long time ago. :wink:

 

Keep us posted if you go the springer route... There's a reason you see springers on so many custom bikes.. the cool factor is through the roof.

I know a buddy of mine with a springer on the front of his Harley, and I've seen him 'blistering down the highway, and throwing the bike into sharp turns' more aggressively than I ever have on my bike. That being said, he's probably part of the 10% of harley owners who is not one of the foot draggers Cmccully04 is referring to.

I'd say provided you go the route suggested by schooter, and get a new DNA or Paughco springer, you shouldn't have to worry about the safety factor. Those manufacturers are known for top notch quality, and would not sell you a dangerous product. Not to mention the fact that if you are considering a springer front end, you're probably going for a full bob on your bike, and your #1 concern is probably form over function.

If you want a bike that will handle to the limits, buy a sport bike. If you want to chop/bob/modify your XJ... giver... I can't wait to see the results.

 

if not for the dollar value, i would have done it already. if you are buying new, you can get an entire front end if you know the length you want the forks and the diameter of the neck.

 

you want -2"

i know of a girder front end for 150 smacks, just waiting for my paycheck

 

i don't see any place to bolt the bars

 

Ahem. Weren't you an engineering student until just recently?

Your question answers itself. Think about it.

 

it looks like there's a company that sells mono-shocks for the dna springers. but i think that i won't be doing this anytime soon. kinda expensive for me right now. with a 2 1/2 year old and another on the way. i will update when the time comes though. thanks again.

 

congrats! save the money for tonka trucks and legos, you will get much more enjoyment out of it!

 

I've heard plenty bad things about the DNA springer. If I ever get my hands on a springer on the cheap, I'll let you know exactly what's involved in putting one on a Maxim.

 

anyone ever do this? I am very interested in it now that I'm back from Afghanistan and looking to dork around with the bike again.