I am torn, comfort or cool? I love the look of old school rigid bobbers with spring seats and would like to use my sporty as a donor to build one, but I also use my bike as a daily rider and can only afford to have one bike, so I have to be able to put some miles on it. I am 21 so back issues aren't really bothersome to me and I can put up with a sore ass. What do you more "seasoned" riders think about it?


D

All of the Harleys I owned when I first started were Rigids.when Harley introduced the SuperGlide in 71 in new change was in order.I say go for it Enjoy a lean mean rigid,you have your whole life ahead of you.Dog

Had a 73 sporty that I put hardtail on, with the old solo seat, looked sweet, but busted my ass. Had a lot fun and turned a lot of heads, tough call.

just do it man...........ride a Rigid...........................LOLIFE............ ..............

Put some struts in place of your shocks and see how it feels. If you don't like it then you can easily switch back.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q208/RonMbucket/vrrticalflattie.jpgSpring it and seat it right and your arse will thank ya

I've been riding a rigid chop I put togther for the past 8 years, based on a Sporty Sport motor, used a CMH Nasty Pro Street frame...running a 230 rear tire, I love it.

Recently bought an 07 RK Custom and I still ride my Chop more then the RK.

Go for the rigid!!!

Ride the rigid, if you want a softer ride just let a little pressure outta the rear tire, also keep an eye for the holes, it only hurts after the first 2 bottom outs then your just plain numb !!


Ride Long & Safe Bro

Regards Vinny

http://www.myspace.com/munkusbunkus

Jessie James makes a cool air ride suspension kit that replaces the springs under seat....also some guys are using those mountain bike shocks under the seat.....just go through some parts books, and mags, search eBay a little...there is stuff out there that will save you. No sense in ruining yourself when you can get the look and the ride all in one!

~Joe

Rigid..Rigid..Rigid.. They look farken sweet. That's my up and comer...... Goood luck man, Check out Ledsled.com They have some cool ideas with converting a stock sporty to a sick ass hardtail

Go for it, I ride a mutant and that thing is a monster, but you do get the sore ass once in a while.

I have a 79 rigid and its a blast to ride, but about 24 years ago I wrecked a 83 superglide and screwed up my lower back. So I had to admit that I was getting old and so I got a 94 Electra, aka "Geezer Glide". And got to admit, its pretty easy to ride. I still have the rigid and love to ride it but long trips just kill me so I take the the ol man scoot. Here are some pics:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/warrior441/IMG_0423.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/warrior441/IMG_0426.jpg
Love the ol skool, but sure is nice to be able to relax on a long run and not have my ass go numb.
Joker

Rigid is cool for looks but Softail is best for ride.

As for me I have the option to ride a softail or rigid, honelsty I love the power transfer of a rigid compared to the softail. just my 2 cents

If you can take the pain the rigid ride is the best Go with spoked wheels/springer type front end/ sprung seat Rigids are truly the best ride for high horsepower bikes Oh by the way live in an area with good roads!

I think it's less about back issue and more about length of time on the road.
I ride my rigid to and from work about 2 days a week when it running nice and all.
It's only about 22 miles each way and I feel it in my whole body if I ride much more than that.
I'm building a softail now. BTW I'm 29.

Love the rigids, but not here in michigan.

Since I just joined today, I'll humbly throw my two cents in, whatever it is worth.

I started riding HD in 1966 when I was 13 on a 1946- 45 flathead that I found in a chicken coup. Yes, it was a rigid. Back then, roads are not what they are now, even though many of you still probably have highways that haven't been touched for 30 years.

A rigid does transfer power better to the ground, but only if the road is smooth, and there is no wheel hop or bounce.

Secondly, a rigid just won't ride as smooth on any highway, no matter how smooth they look. It can get rather scarey going into a turn, and discover the road is rough and your rear wheel strats to hop or stray. A sprung seat will not correct any of this problem.

Third, someone mentioned just letting the air pressure out. Vengeance said to do this on TV when talking to Michelle Smith about their rigid. Later, a retraction had to be made. A pound or two of less air pressure is fine, but some guys are saying to run 12 -16 pounds. This is extremely dangerous, and no tires really should be run underinflated, or below the mfg. guidelines for air pressure. Ever had a bead come off on an underinflated tire?

Rigids may look better, they may not. This is just an opinion everyone is entitled to.

Finally, alot of crap is said about "real bikers ride rigids." Really, does this mean that every guy on this forum who doesn't ride a rigid is not a biker? Doyou have to kickstart your bike also to be a biker?

The bottem line is this. Build,buy, ride what you want. It's your bike, your life, your ride. Good luck.

2 blackbelts

First off, thanks to everyone who responded. It's been a long time coming but I finally got the parts together for my build. Paughco ridid frame with no stretch and 35 degrees of rake, +2 DNA springer, 40 spoke wheels with a 21" Me880 up frontand a 160-16" ME880 in the rear, domed oil tank and Nash Gimp Hangers. i am custom fabricating the Exhaust, forward controls and sissy bar. In true bobber form, no front fender or signals (at leats until I start getting citations). Decided to go with the rigid cause ,well thats what I wanted and **** it, you only live once. Got some free time coming up so I should be able to bang the bike out in about a month. I'll definately be posting some picks once the work starts this week.

for just cruising around town...Rigid

ORIGINAL: 2blackbelts

A rigid does transfer power better to the ground, but only if the road is smooth, and there is no wheel hop or bounce.

Secondly, a rigid just won't ride as smooth on any highway, no matter how smooth they look. It can get rather scarey going into a turn, and discover the road is rough and your rear wheel strats to hop or stray. A sprung seat will not correct any of this problem.

Third, someone mentioned just letting the air pressure out.This is extremely dangerous, and no tires really should be run underinflated, or below the mfg. guidelines for air pressure. Ever had a bead come off on an underinflated tire?

Finally, alot of crap is said about "real bikers ride rigids." Really, does this mean that every guy on this forum who doesn't ride a rigid is not a biker? Doyou have to kickstart your bike also to be a biker?

The bottem line is this. Build,buy, ride what you want. It's your bike, your life, your ride. Good luck.

2 blackbelts

I ride a rigid Evo kick start only. In the 15 yrs since I built it I've lost my butt to age. I added 2" of foam to the back of my Cobra seat to protect my, now exposed, tailbone. It has worked great.
It does give that firm hookup when you get on it hard, love that part.
I agree underinflating is not the answer if you go over 30 mph. As far as hopping or skidding in bumpy corners, it recovers quickly without fear of losing it. Thanks to my bikes long wheelbase I feel comfortable doing a little "flat tracking" as it bobs its way through a high speed corner. Kinda fun!
Being unusual, I do get welcomed attention, am I a "real biker" cause I ride a rigid kicker, Who the F'ck cares!

local://upfiles/36103/2DE19A0BD10F41EAA4E1928D2A4157EC.jpg

local://upfiles/36103/69D03B634BCD491086FA7267DDA6A78E.jpg

If you've you've never owned a rigid, I'd say go for it. Like some one else said here you got your whole life ahead of you. Use you existing bike that way if later on you could convert back or start a project bike. Purchase a legal frame, hunt down a motor/tranny etc... and build as you can afford, putting on the stuff you like. Girder,springer, narrow glide, wide glide, drag bars, ape hangers,foot clutch/stick shift. open or closed belt drive on and on.

I rode my last rigid for 15 years with a nice well sprung seat and loved every minute of it. Man. I miss that bike but the OL got tired of bouncing 4 feet in the air every time I hit a big bump or hole.
I am probably going to build another one just like it next year.

TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT

I haven't riden my dyna since getting the rigid 5 months ago. Actually sold it this week for the lack of riding it.
I should of gone rigid when I first started riding but hey I'm only 27. Build the rigid you won't regret it. http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/Live2sho/P1000823.jpg

Me and the OL were going through some old pics the other night and I came across a few pics of my old Evo rigid I built back in 1988.
I miss this bike and plan on building another one just like it next year

local://upfiles/48697/A560D24DAECD4DB48787DB25E9664AB8.jpg

local://upfiles/48697/5FAB77A34CB94D17BEE0E3CC5FC2FA4E.jpg

The pics aren't that good. I had to scan them into my puter. They didn't have digital cameras back then

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/dbelka/pig/HPIM0091.jpg My rigid '71 sportster with the spring seat is just as easy on my ass as my '85 with the progressive shocks turned all the way up and a regular seat. If your building a chop, build a chop. hardtail all the way. Gotta learn to avoid potholes. More of a control thing than a comfort thing. I've had my bike jump almost into the other lane on a good pothole. I always shoot toward the "cool" side. if you're worried about comfort, buy a car. Good luck on your project. Make sure you keep us updated on the progress.

Yeah I know what you mean. I just bought a a 84 sportsterbobber hard tail. What a ride, still getting use to it. I want to add blinkers and a horn just for inspection.they have nice small led lights now . I also have a 98 super glide that is like riding a caddilac.

At 21, you can afford to get your ass kicked for a few years. In 20 years you will have strories about, "back in the day..............."! Congrats and good luck on starting your build. Can't wait to see some pics.

Danny, I realize this is a late post to this thread, but just wanted to congratulate you on your decision to go rigid. I was also hesitant to by the rigid I have now. But once I rode it, I was convinced - absolutely love the ride, feel, etc. And I'm 53, with a back surgery. BTW, the seat plays a big part. This one has lots of back support, which is nice when you are in the middle of a bumpy road. You can just push with your legs, making you sit up a bit off the seat, thereby avoiding any major impact. It's nice on long trips too.



local://upfiles/39127/425D07CDF4EE4CE0B088EBC772592E9C.jpg

Rigids Rule.......................... . . . . . . ...................................

[&:]

All the ol' v-twin purists will agree with your choice to go with a rigid frame. Hell, Im only 18 and have a paucho rigid frame surrounding my '64 pan. I absolutely love it!

However, form is function...

If the bones allow, and creaking soreness is not an issue... go rigid whilst ya can![sm=exactly.gif]

my 2nd scooter with be a rigid, but for around town only! I like suspension on the highway....[:o]

i love nothing more to go down the road on my rigid sporty, hit a huge bump, hurt my a** and look cool while im doing it!!!!!!
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn134/coxey26/000_0002.jpg

I like rigid.... but my dads new Road King sure rides nice!

I've been wondering the same thing.