Throw shocks away,Hard Tail Struts!

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Jun 27, 2011 | 05:19 PM

#21

Mr. Wannabe

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 720

Likes: 3

I've run bikes with rigid struts. They ride rough. The thing with a rigid framed bike is the frame flexes and takes some of the harshness out of it. A swingarm bike with rigid struts doesn't flex and beats the hell out of ya. The reason that I ran them is because I like my bikes LOW and with any amount of swingarm movement I'd scrape the tire.

Jun 27, 2011 | 08:00 PM

#22

Speed Kills

Advanced

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 57

Likes: 2

From: Cincy, OH

It looks jank as Hell, no matter how you do it IMO. Swingarm-rigid bikes just never look quite right.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:11 AM

#23

oldncrzy

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,013

Likes: 1

From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh

I was reading an article about hard tail builds. The engineer in the article said rear suspension on a mc is actually there to keep your rear wheel in contact with the road. Hard tails (according to him) will lift off the road in certain situations. So the suspension is designed for safety, not for your (our) comfort. I do like the looks of the hard tail. but around here they can only be registered as show bikes or antiques, not daily riders.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:30 AM

#24

CSS_FXD

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 1,824

Likes: 6

From: MN

Love the rigid look but not on a dyna. Get a CFL by WCC if you want a rigid chop. But hey it's up to you and those struts are cheap on eBay.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:46 AM

#25

Basic

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 560

Likes: 0

From:

I've had a rigid 4-up WCC CFL hardtail springer and a '67 Triumph frisco hardtail springer. Both were fun bikes that I put plenty of miles on and I didn't mind the hardtail because I knew what I was getting into. However, putting struts on a Dyna in place of the shocks looks worse than having a nice set of shocks in my opinion. I say keep it for it's intended purpose and buy a clean looking rigid barhopper and have the best of both worlds. They are cheap these days.

Jul 1, 2011 | 12:54 PM

#26

RDFXDF

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 426

Likes: 2

From: Omaha,NE

I prefer the looks of shocks over rigid frames any day of the week. Add to that the better ride and I say you are better off with shocks.

Jul 1, 2011 | 09:25 PM

#27

Bobber S

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 293

Likes: 0

From: Canada

All below are suggested removal mods I have seen on this forum at one time or another. Follow all this advice and you've got one safe and comfortable ride!! lol

remove shocks replace with rigid struts
remove horn
remove fenders
remove mirrors
remove turn signals
remove tank badges
remove reflectors
remove upper and lower belt guards
remove battery cover

Last edited by Bobber S; Jul 1, 2011 at 09:29 PM.