Front End

[sonny8l3]

Hello, I'm thinking about getting a new front end for my trike. I have an '84 1000 Virago on it now. I don't want to change the neck because that is where my VIN is. I want a wider front end with a bigger tire, about the size of what was on my stock Nomad. Any ideas where to look or recommendations of builders that may be able to build a springer, gurder, or triple tree to fit my neck and get the rake and trail right?

Thanks for your time.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Almost everything aftermarket is for a Hardley.

A small small amount for the most popular of metrics.

There is quite a bit of mix and match that can be done with stock type yokes and hydraulic forks.

I built mine to go into the Honda bottom yoke.

I suppose any custom builder could do the same.

Typically what I see done is a Hardley or other used springer/girder/ect front end with the pivot cut out of it, then the metric one cut from the stock yoke and welded into the aftermarket yoke.

Basically take most anything and turn it into one for a metric.

[sonny8l3]

Thanks Rex, Any ideas on where to find someone that can do the cut and weld, right?

[DeathBySnuSnu]

No.

I do not know of anyone here near us.

It is incredibly difficult to find anyone that can do anything with their hands anymore.

[Sidecarbill]

Its difficult to find people to do these things because of the liabilty,not because of the lack of talent. At least around here. If you remove the front end so you can measure your bearings, sometimes you can mix and match. I put a honda front end on a harley without any machine work.

[sonny8l3]

Hello, I can understand the liability part when you figure you can sue someone because your stupid or clumsy, ie. spill your coffee and sue a hamburger joint. I wish I had the knowledge and skill to do the measuring and swapping needed to figure it all out, but I do other things pretty well. But if I can find someone within 1000 miles or so I'm willing to travel. It would be a good excuse to do some camping and fishing and I've got lots of free time.

[vwbug72501]

allballsracing.com for conversion bearing sets(metric to metric).

https://www.kiwavmotors.com/en/faq/a...ube-size-chart

Fork tube size chart. Google Motorcycle fork tube dimensions and Motorcycle front axle sizes for more charts and information.

I built my front fork with a '83 Honda GL1100 neck, GL1500 raked (EZ Steer) triple tree, '99 Honda CBR900RR tubes and calipers, and a 2003 Harley V-Rod front wheel and disks. I built this entirely with hand tools in my back yard. It is a stout front end with 45mm down tubes and a solid front wheel.

As an alternate, you can get a Harley springer and find some tapered bearings with the correct ID for the HD stem and OD for your neck races. A trip to the local bearing store with the dimensions will probably fix you up.

As a Last Resort, you can probably carefully grind the weld on the bottom of your lower triple tree that holds the stem and press the stem out of the lower tree. Do the same thing to the new front end. Then figure what kind of shim/spacer you need to weld your stem into the new front end. Do this carefully and you should be able to find a welding shop that will weld it back together. There still a lot of us old farts out there that can do the job. Do you have any dirt track/drag racers in your area? Might take a little "socializing" to get the job done.

[LarryA]

don't know if this will lead anywhere.....but i am noticing in chopper magazines, people are chopping and customizing sx650 yahama bikes along with harleys....maybe the sx 650 custom forks would fit your headstock?????

[gospicker]

This Winter I am having a shop; do my front end and he is going to cut the upper and lower bearing cups off and weld on Harley cups so I can use any Harley front end,.....springer, wide glide, etc. This way I keep the neck with the numbers.

[sonny8l3]

Hello Bigfoot, I tried to send you a PM, but it said I couldn't do it. So, would you give me the name and number for the shop or a website please? Thanks for your time

[gospicker]

Chop Shop Motorsports

5750 Texas 76244

817-271-7576

[gospicker]

Chop Shop Motorsports

5750 Park Vista Circle #120

Keller, Texas 76244

817-271-7576

[sonny8l3]

Thanks, I'm gonna give them a call.

[gospicker]

Hello Bigfoot, I tried to send you a PM, but it said I couldn't do it. So, would you give me the name and number for the shop or a website please? Thanks for your time

I didn't get it done this winter, but I am taking it in on Tuesday for the job. We have all the parts now and he is going to cut the metric cups off and weld on Harley cups and I am putting on a beautiful wide glide with a 21" wheel. The place is in Fort Worth, Tx and it is called Chop Shop Motorsports. The guy's name is A.J. I will post a pic when it is done.