Sportster convert to softail
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 7
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From: SoCal
Sportster convert to softail
Hi all,
This is my first post here. My name is Laird and I'm 19 and I'm looking to buy my first Harley. I grew up riding dirt bikes and have fallen in love with Harleys recently.
Excuse me if this is the wrong place or an annoying question but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way to convert the back half of a Sportster frame to a Softail.
Basically I want a Sportster due to the look, riding position, aftermarket support, maneuverability, etc. I would love to get a sporty and turn it into a hardtail but with these shitty California roads it just wouldn't be a good idea. I would get a custom Softail frame setup for a Sportster but that would be a headache with registration and also very expensive. Any way to just cut the back half off as you do with a hardtail conversion and put in the Softail setup? Or will I just have to live with those two ugly shocks on the sides?
Stupid question I know, but I don't quite want to buy a Softail for a few reasons.
Thank you
This is my first post here. My name is Laird and I'm 19 and I'm looking to buy my first Harley. I grew up riding dirt bikes and have fallen in love with Harleys recently.
Excuse me if this is the wrong place or an annoying question but I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way to convert the back half of a Sportster frame to a Softail.
Basically I want a Sportster due to the look, riding position, aftermarket support, maneuverability, etc. I would love to get a sporty and turn it into a hardtail but with these shitty California roads it just wouldn't be a good idea. I would get a custom Softail frame setup for a Sportster but that would be a headache with registration and also very expensive. Any way to just cut the back half off as you do with a hardtail conversion and put in the Softail setup? Or will I just have to live with those two ugly shocks on the sides?
Stupid question I know, but I don't quite want to buy a Softail for a few reasons.
Thank you
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 511
From: USA
Touchdown - Post 3 is correct.
Hardtails can be "painful" on one's spine.
But with a spring seat maybe not as bad.
Also the hard tail frame offer a blank canvas for customizing.
Ugly rear shocks? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
(There are many styling options in regard to rear shocks)
Sportsters are great "do everything" bikes.
One could say the big twins are better at two up riding and interstate travel.
I am not sure sure a soft tail frame offers better handling than standard shock location; unlike in the 1970s when Motocross went from duel rear shocks to mono shock.
Again, Post 3 is correct.
Good luck in your decision.
Hardtails can be "painful" on one's spine.
But with a spring seat maybe not as bad.
Also the hard tail frame offer a blank canvas for customizing.
Ugly rear shocks? Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
(There are many styling options in regard to rear shocks)
Sportsters are great "do everything" bikes.
One could say the big twins are better at two up riding and interstate travel.
I am not sure sure a soft tail frame offers better handling than standard shock location; unlike in the 1970s when Motocross went from duel rear shocks to mono shock.
Again, Post 3 is correct.
Good luck in your decision.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Maybe I shouldn't have said "ugly" haha.. they can look cool but personally I like the idea of having mine hidden. I'm going to be turning it into a bobber so that's why I so badly want the hardtail look.
This is all great information. I think I'll just stick with a Sportster frame then.
Thank you!
This is all great information. I think I'll just stick with a Sportster frame then.
Thank you!
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