I'm contemplating putting a springer front end on my WG. Looking for thoughts, insights, preferences, experience, etc. I did a quick scan on the J&P website, and noticed that you can go from ~$700 - $800 for a Milwaukee Twins up to $1500 - $2000 for a Paughco. What's involved in doing this swap? How much extra stuff am I going to have to fabricate?

 

I have the Paughco on mine. I'm just happy to see others want to get a Springer on a Dyna. I spent a while looking and to my knowledge, the only company that makes a 100% bolt on to the Dyna/Sportster neck is Paughco. You can get others on the bike, as I was able to get a DNA on at first, but it required ALLOT OF WORK. Paughco's just cost obscene amounts of money. Now, I could be wrong, but you would probably have to make allot of phone calls to speak directly to the company who builds the Springers to verify if another brand will work with the Dyna neck. The problem is the shape of the Dyna neck prohibits turning radius on Springers, and at least on my DNA, I had to grind the **** out of the Springer, the neck tab and modify the gas tank mount to get back "maybe" 70% of the factory turning radius. Make some calls and see what they tell you. I like Springers, so the aggravation and expense was worth it to me.

 

Thanks for the comments. It's funny too, as seeing the pic of your bike was what put the bug in my ear about a springer for mine. I've always liked the look of springers. Which Paughco did you go with? Would like to talk w/ you more about how you did yours. I was looking at a 6" over Paughco wide springer. It's ~$1200 + another $100 for the axle and 3/4" bearing conversion kit. The guy at J&P said that I can't use the stock caliper, and will have to get a new caliper as well. That looks to be another $300. Throw in a set of top bearings for another $40. That's $1600+ If I have to fab/modify/refinish on top of that, it may not be worth it. Saw someone w/ a stock H-D springer front end from a Softail for sale in the classifieds. Any idea if that will fit?

 

Thanks. The stock Harley Softail Springer won't work unless your gonna cut it up and modify it. And they are NEVER cheap, even used. Mine is the Paughco 3 over. The problem is they only make one Springer that will fit the Dyna/Sporty neck and the freaking thing lists for OVER $2,100 dollars!!! If you visit the Paughco site, they show the 3 over mounted to a white Sporty. Thats why I chose the 3 over for my bike as I liked how it sat. The less expensive Springers you see listed won't work with the Dyna neck. I spoke at length with Paughco and they know they have the "bolt on" market covered so they jam it up your behind on price. I did some legal work with my local Indy and as a favor he got me my Springer for $1,650 (his cost) and was able to get rid on my DNA to a customer for what I paid for it. Remember, you CAN get the $375 DNA from ebay to fit. Physically it will bolt right on, but you'll see right away it won't turn even 30 degree's. So you have to start grinding away on the neck, the Springer and other stuff to get some sweep.

Heres the thread of me getting the DNA on and SOME of the stuff I had to do. I mean, its not the end of the world, but if you look at picture 4, thats the wheel cocked ALL THE WAY to the left. As far as it would go. Where as the Paughco just bolts on and is done. In all honesty, there may be other companies who figured out Dyna guys might like Springers as well, but I wasn't able to find them. The best guy I spoke with was Jason over at Paughco. He's easy to talk to, responds to your e-mails and knows his stuff, but like I said, a two thousand dollar part is pretty hard to pull the trigger on unless your rolling in cash. I sure as heck was not.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...n-my-dyna.html

Man4mopar might have some insight as he has a dragon springer. I would like to hear what it took to get his in his bike.


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I was very disappointed on how my DNA springer performed, it was loud, rough and started rusting and pitting at the chrome right away. I think as with all good things you get what you pay for. The Paughco is suppose to be a much better frontend. Be careful because I'm pretty sure DNA makes lots of springers that aftermarket puts different names on,

 

Thanks for the info about the softail springer. As far as the Paughco's go, the guy at J&P told me the 6" over wide springer I wanted would bolt right up to my '04 FXDWG. I could get new top bearings, and I'd need a 3/4" axle and 3/4" bearings for the wheel, and a new brake caliper. The springer itself was $1200.

 

I WISH for your sake that was the case, but I don't think it is. Now, I have been wrong before (just ask my wife), but please....get the part number they say will work and contact Paughco. I'm quite sure they are talking about the "big twin" forks. Those will not work on a Dyna neck. They will work on Shovels, Softails, aftermarket frames, Big Dogs, Sucker Punch Sallys and so forth...but not Dyna's. Believe me, I really want to be wrong to see you save a bundle of cash. Especially it thats a make it or break it deal. But Jason at Paughco insisted that the Big Twin forks won't work on our necks. Really check that out before you place that order. Then, start posting up some pics. We love that stuff yah know.

 

I don't have anything to add, except those dragon springers look killer.

 

Yeah, it's gonna cost some green backs to set it up right. I want one on my bike but it's just not a priority. Page 11 is the springer you need for a Dyna.
http://www.paughco.com/2008-catalog/...-springers.pdf

 

Not to question the folks at JP but 6" Over is a bit much in my opinion, I'd check everything with a rake and trail calculator before I'd even consider it, last thing you want is a bike that handles like crap or sits way high in the front.

I can see 3 or 4 over but 6 seems like too much without extending up and out on the frame. You've also got to figure how much rake is built into the existing trees on your bike (not too sure about your year WG). This is going to affect the overall outcome of the trail with the swap because the springer won't have the same built in rake (if any at all.)And the bike will get its rake from the neck only. Here’s a good site to explain what to look for.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html