Hardtailing my Evo Softail
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 190
Likes: 409
From: Scotland UK
Lol im 41 and played a lot of ice hockey, rugby and boxing in my younger years. My body has plenty wear on it 
I'll be running 3" springs on this bike and it probably wont feel much different to my slammed softail shocks
I'll be running 3" springs on this bike and it probably wont feel much different to my slammed softail shocks
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
Nice job! I like the look. I agree 100% about using the original frame for registration purposes. Put a 4-speed and kicker on it to complete the retro look. Five speeds with kickers just don't look right.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 190
Likes: 409
From: Scotland UK
Thanks for the comments, If I had the cash Id go for a baker 5 in a 4 but Im happy with my stock 5 speed with kicker. Its got baker internals already and although it hangs out a bit, once everything is in the frame and the pipes are on etc, I really dont mind how it looks
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 4,736
From: Colorado
My uncles, back in the '30s and '40s rode hardtail Harleys. It was all they had. For some unknown reason ALL motorcycle manufacturers developed suspension on the rear of their motorcycles. You reckon it was because it made a better motorcycle?
At any rate, once you cut up the frame of the cycle to get that retro look, you have just destroyed that motorcycle and removed the hope of it ever being treasured by someone who would want to bring it back to its original glory. The bike is now on the inevitable journey to the scrap yard to be discarded, never to be restored.
A few years from now, someone will dig the frame out of a heap of junk, shake their head, strip from the frame whatever they can use, and then walk on.
At any rate, once you cut up the frame of the cycle to get that retro look, you have just destroyed that motorcycle and removed the hope of it ever being treasured by someone who would want to bring it back to its original glory. The bike is now on the inevitable journey to the scrap yard to be discarded, never to be restored.
A few years from now, someone will dig the frame out of a heap of junk, shake their head, strip from the frame whatever they can use, and then walk on.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 592
Likes: 481
From: SE PA
Just sold one of my Sportsters that had a hardtailed rear section. Looks great, saves weight, no drama when transferring title or registration when I bought or sold it, insurance was a non-issue, retains vin on the neck, #s on title match frame and motor. Good way to go IMO. Love the old school hot rod flames. Cool project!
Last edited by MattLS6; Sep 28, 2023 at 04:07 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 921
Likes: 584
From: Connecticut
Screw all that... You've got great lines going on your conversion. Looking forward to following your build. Build Greaser1340, build.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
My uncles, back in the '30s and '40s rode hardtail Harleys. It was all they had. For some unknown reason ALL motorcycle manufacturers developed suspension on the rear of their motorcycles. You reckon it was because it made a better motorcycle?
At any rate, once you cut up the frame of the cycle to get that retro look, you have just destroyed that motorcycle and removed the hope of it ever being treasured by someone who would want to bring it back to its original glory. The bike is now on the inevitable journey to the scrap yard to be discarded, never to be restored.
A few years from now, someone will dig the frame out of a heap of junk, shake their head, strip from the frame whatever they can use, and then walk on.
At any rate, once you cut up the frame of the cycle to get that retro look, you have just destroyed that motorcycle and removed the hope of it ever being treasured by someone who would want to bring it back to its original glory. The bike is now on the inevitable journey to the scrap yard to be discarded, never to be restored.
A few years from now, someone will dig the frame out of a heap of junk, shake their head, strip from the frame whatever they can use, and then walk on.
I do like what hes done or doing, my take was more the lines of there are plenty of parts to make one without doing to it exactly as you describe, but at the end of the day, I dont see it being as bad as you posted either. Its definitely a one and done bike at this juncture.
I want to see it to completion now. No turning back!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,353
Likes: 2,572
From: Milwaukee, WI
I love it, going to look great with the springer.
No one is going to miss another Softail, probably not even in Scotland. Be sure to race the first geezer in a Vette, or Beemer or whatever old Scots putt around in
No one is going to miss another Softail, probably not even in Scotland. Be sure to race the first geezer in a Vette, or Beemer or whatever old Scots putt around in
