Ride a Hard Tail? Step Inside Please
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
My 1942 "45" flat head was a hard tail from the factory. But it had a nice sprung seat and rode pretty nice. Of course, we never thought much about it until the swing arms came along. But those old hard tails were ridden all over the country and on bad roads. Maybe we are just wimps now. LOL
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
All of my first half dozen or so Harleys were rigids the last a 53 Pan we rode as a bagger at first then a Chopper.Course we were very young and a lot more resilient.Seems like the roads were better then,but sure remember hitting pot holes or wash board dirt roads that I swear we almost blacked out form the spine crushing pain.
Otherwise loved those bikes,Nothing like a bare bones Harley sitting almost on the bare frame.
Otherwise loved those bikes,Nothing like a bare bones Harley sitting almost on the bare frame.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
Just sold my wide tire, hardtail chopper this past fall. I was worried when I bought it about the ride but that turned out to be no problem at all. However, I'm in FL where most of the roads are smooth. I've been to Houston many times and the roads are much rougher there.
I had nothing but trouble with it and I'm glad it's gone. Don't overpay for one, they are going cheap. I took a bath on mine.
I had nothing but trouble with it and I'm glad it's gone. Don't overpay for one, they are going cheap. I took a bath on mine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Do you really drink alcohol and then get on your bike?
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 6
From: Route 66
Do you really drink alcohol and then get on your bike?
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
How much do you drink before you decide enough is enough?
Once I had only 1 beer and then I climbed on and thought I would pass cars on a cloverleaf and get on the freeway. 5 seconds later I saw the speedometer reading 110 and I pulled over and stopped on the shoulder. I sat there for a minute and got my bearings and headed for home.
So I just don't get the "bar hopper" idea on a motorcycle.
I have never ridden a rigid with a fat rear tire but if set up right a rigid don't ride bad. I have a bad back now days and can't go the distance on one but I have considered getting another one for shorter rides.You also have to get used to some wheel hopping but that might not be as much of an issue with a fat tire,I wouldn't know.
Last edited by popawcritter; Mar 14, 2013 at 11:20 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Vermont
I sold my old hardtail chopped ironhead 3 years ago. I used to keep the rear tire a little underinflated for the ride. Not so much for me but for the bike. My back never hurt and I enjoyed every minute riding it but stuff used to break off the bike. The tail light/license plate bracket, then the coil bracket, etc. Railroad crossings were done at a snail's pace. The rigid frame was much harder on the bike than it was on me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
Expect the rigid to feel like you're part of the road and not riding on it.
Yeah, there are potholes and junk like that- but you actually feel like you're riding a motorcycle and not some over cushioned throne. Rigids are raw and primeval and feel good to me. (I have a '53 also)
Riders rode rigid from 1903 to 1958 on worse roads than now and they loved it enough to keep the motor company going all those years..
Expect to ride it more than you think it can-longer trips are not impossible.
Indian Larry used a really cool air suspension seat for his rigids..
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/12/25/...e-motorcycles/
http://www.choppersurplus.com/np/sea...rigidaire.html
Yeah, there are potholes and junk like that- but you actually feel like you're riding a motorcycle and not some over cushioned throne. Rigids are raw and primeval and feel good to me. (I have a '53 also)
Riders rode rigid from 1903 to 1958 on worse roads than now and they loved it enough to keep the motor company going all those years..
Expect to ride it more than you think it can-longer trips are not impossible.
Indian Larry used a really cool air suspension seat for his rigids..
http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/12/25/...e-motorcycles/
http://www.choppersurplus.com/np/sea...rigidaire.html