I picked up a new project over the weekend its a 71 Ironhead in a custom rigid frame. It came with a girder front end but it is in pieces. The guy my buddy got it from went to take it apart and removed all the nuts and what not and didn't back out the set screws so he rounded off all the threads on the arms for the top piece. On top of that small disaster the legs are waaayyyy to long so they would need about 6" chopped off to get it down to the stance I want.

I know nothing about girders and from the bulk of what I found it appears they're more common with guys building foreign Jap or British type bobbers or choppers.

My question to you guys, is the girder something special and should I try to make it work (its going to take a lot of machining) or should I just spring for a springer and move on with the project?

 

I havent seen many bikes with them. Looking at pics it looks like it would be a nightmare to make a girder shorter than it was meant to be.