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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fork size
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Message started by luken on 10/04/06 at 14:07:19

Title: Fork size
Post by luken on 10/04/06 at 14:07:19

So I have been saving lots of pictures of your bikes that you have all posted as well as browsing around different other sites trying to find the look I want. I have boiled it down to a few factors that I wanted your imput on. How long are your drag bars? Looks like average is between 27-30"

I also wanted to know how much longer of a fork will it take to make the engine perpendicular to the ground. This is the looks I'm going for.

http://bethandre.com/bikepics/luken/chop/RNichols2.jpg

I love the seat but I think thats made in germany. Unfortunately, no pic of the front. I'd really like to know where I can get my hands on a fender like that or even shorter.

Anyway, any idea what size I might need? I'm not even sure what stock is.

Thanks

Title: Re: Fork size
Post by luken on 10/04/06 at 18:52:32

Anybody?......

Title: Re: Fork size
Post by Trippah on 10/04/06 at 19:40:24

luken - don't know the answer to your question, but if you can lift your savage up , say with a ratchet cargo belt, to do the measuring, then you'll know what length(s) you like, including with a variety of wheel sizes on the front. It really would bring out the shade tree mechanic in you. Best of luck.

Title: Re: Fork size
Post by Rockin_John on 10/05/06 at 01:23:05

Hey Luken,

The "drag bars" that I recently pulled off my bike were 28" and only had a very slight pullback. I was told they were the original 1987 bars. However I've found that I MUCH prefer the wider 34" bars I replaced them with. About 2" low rise, and just a tad more pullback. I love them on top of the stock risers that were for the flat drag bars. The extra leverage on the front end make the raked stearing much more responsive.

On your question of how much fork length; you might consider a couple of possible options besides just longer legs. Some Progressive brand springs of the proper type might hold things up a bit better with the tubes you've got now. Also, there is the possibility of using air or nitorgen in the forks to help hold up weight. However, you don't want to totally top out the forks, or you get into a situation where your suspension won't allow the tires contact with the road in some road ripple situations... Not a good thing ;-)

Barring the above suggestions and just strictly ordering longer tubes, I would guesstimate about 4" with the stock rake. You might also want to consider that the picture you chose as an example looks like the bike may have longer-than-stock rear shocks (maybe an inch or so) and that will affect geometry too (as will tire height).

Fenders similar to the ones on that bike are available through trailer building supply houses.