Building A Rigid Springer Chopper

by Rob Watt
(Victoria, Canada)

Rigid Springer Chopper

Rigid Springer Chopper

I am building a rigid chopper with a springer fork, solid rear wheel with a 200 rear tire (front is a traditional chopper 21".)


Because my other bike is 1953 Panhead with kickstarter and a tiny peanut tank, everything on this bike is being done with an eye to reliability and ease of repair (so no internal throttle or combined rear sprocket / brake, for instance).

It will have 16" apehangers (the bars in the photo were temporarily welded to move the bike around the shop), a custom built high sissy bar with devil tail, solo sprung seat, and a large mustang tank so that I can do longer trips than on the panhead (peanut tanks look awesome, but I am tired of pushing that thing to gas stations).

We cut all the tabs off the stock frame and custom built all the fender tabs, fork stops and exhaust mounts. All the welds and edges have now been cleaned and the neck filled in so that the frame can be chromed.

The tinwork will be rootbeer candy over silver metalflake, with cream scallops on the tank.

The exhaust will be upswept Paughco martini-shaker belltips for the serious old-school look.

We have also done some nice custom touches like machined brass spikes for the top of the springer. I am using a stock 80' Evo motor with an open belt primary and hand shift / foot clutch.

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Nov 28, 2011
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springer front end question
by: Anonymous

Im about to change the wide glide front end on my shovelhead to a springer. Im using a paughco frame with a 16" rear wheel. My problem is im constantly scraping my primary during left turns. I like the height of your bike so I was wondering what rim and tire height you had on the rear and if the frontend was extended any? I was thinking a 18 inch rear rim and a two inch over frontend would solve my height problem. Thank you in advance for your answer and i can't wait to see the finished project.

Mar 23, 2008
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bobber
by: Tim Scott

Hi Rob
I didn't realize I just did your inspection on this thing. Too funny. Drop by and see my bobber project when you have a chance.
Tim

Mar 22, 2008
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Nice Bobber Project
by: Tim Scott

Hi Rob, I'm not sure if you got my last message. My computer was not behaving. I am building something similar to you and I also live in Victoria BC. I would love to see you project. Maybe get some ideas for my own. You can get ahold of me through Phoenix Cycle. Ted will give you my phone number or my email address.
Thanks
Tim Scott

Mar 22, 2008
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Lookin good
by: Tim Scott

Hi Rob, The bike so far looks great. I too am building a rigid springer with a 200 in rear. Funny thing is I also live in Victoria BC. I am using a 95 in twin cam B in mine with a jims fat five speed. E mail me @ timscottairbrush@shaw.ca if you want to hook up. Be cool to see your ride in person. Hopefully talk to you soon.
Tim Scott

Oct 04, 2007
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springer
by: Virago, Brian

Hi Rob
Your bike looks good, even unfinished. What kind of a springer are you using for your project? Do you know if there are springers out there that are fairly universal? Maybe fit a metric bike????
Thanks.
Brian

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