FLHTCU as hardtail engine/trans donor?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 25, 2022 | 06:03 PM

oconnor

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Midwest

FLHTCU as hardtail engine/trans donor?

So I inherited a '90 FLHTCU some years back and tore it down to powder-coat the frame and build it back up. It's been apart for a couple years now and I'm draggin' *** because the bagger configuration just doesn't really appeal to me. A rigid frame does however. Very much so in fact. Are there any inherent issues to using this drivetrain in a hardtail frame? Looking at Kraft Tech currently.

Last edited by oconnor; Oct 25, 2022 at 06:05 PM.

Oct 27, 2022 | 11:00 AM

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,828

Likes: 7,967

From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by oconnor

Good luck finding a frame that takes the drivetrain directly. Most rigids will require a different tranny and primary.. You'll have to change the primary cases, primary chain, and tranny case, possibly the trap door.. What about an FXR? I believe the drivetrain will drop right in..

Oct 28, 2022 | 05:09 PM

oconnor

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Midwest

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Headflow

Thank you for the tip Max, I'll check it out. Mainly looking for less of everything but motor and I like the Hardtail look/simplicity.

Oct 28, 2022 | 05:25 PM

Stiggy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 17,547

Likes: 7,153

From: Oxford, Nc

May have to buy it from Denmark (but these guys have been around for a pretty long time.

https://www.l-l-choppers.com/ll-hard...n-evo/?lang=en

(Just a quick search....)

Last edited by Stiggy; Oct 28, 2022 at 05:26 PM.

Oct 28, 2022 | 10:40 PM

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,828

Likes: 7,967

From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by oconnor

Thank you for the tip Max, I'll check it out. Mainly looking for less of everything but motor and I like the Hardtail look/simplicity.

Have you ridden a rigid for any period of time? My brother had a 48U. You'll need springs on the seat. Why not build a softail? They can be made to look like an old style rigid.

Oct 29, 2022 | 03:16 PM

oconnor

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Midwest

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Headflow

Have you ridden a rigid for any period of time? My brother had a 48U. You'll need springs on the seat. Why not build a softail? They can be made to look like an old style rigid.

I have not. Had planned for a sprung seat for sure. I looked at the softail frames initially, but gravitated to the simplicity of the hardtail. It just hits that spot somehow. This is just an around town and back and forth to work bike most likely. I have a few other bikes.
Probably a moot point though, as you said there probably aren't any hardtails that will take my Ultra Glide setup. I'm looking into FXR frames now.

Last edited by oconnor; Oct 29, 2022 at 03:30 PM.

Oct 29, 2022 | 03:25 PM

oconnor

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Midwest

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stiggy

May have to buy it from Denmark (but these guys have been around for a pretty long time.

https://www.l-l-choppers.com/ll-hard...n-evo/?lang=en

(Just a quick search....)

Found that Kraft Tech makes an FXR style frame that may fit the bill.

Last edited by oconnor; Oct 29, 2022 at 03:29 PM.