[1] We started with an unbelievably...
[1] We started with an unbelievably perfect remanufactured V-Twin Mfg. 4-inch over stock inline springer in chrome. It was almost a shame to chop it up, but that’s what we do.
In the last issue of Street Chopper we took our V-twin Mfg. wishbone frame to our pal T-Bone at NOISE, where he cut off all the non-chopperesque parts of our V-twin reproduction wishbone frame.
In this installment we took our excellently constructed chrome V-Twin Mfg. inline springer fork to Chris Richardson of LA Speed Shop for a little chopping of its own. Well, actually a lot of chopping.
This procedure is not for the faint of heart due to the fact that you are cutting up a brand-new fork into pieces and if you don’t do so correctly you will end up with a best case scenario of a crooked riding bike or worse, just a pile of cut up parts sitting on your workbench and a lot of heartache.
Like with every type of customization there are different ways to skin a cat, but this is the LA Speed Shop way and since Chris has done dozens of frontends just like this, we think he knows what he’s doing.
Follow along as we show you how to get that springer fork of yours on the straight and narrow. STC
[2] Chris measured the fork...
[2] Chris measured the fork for a total of 3 5⁄8 inches of width to be chopped out of the frontend.
[3] We disassembled the springer...
[3] We disassembled the springer with the aid of a ratchet strap and some manly hands.
[4] Here’s a shot of the stock...
[4] Here’s a shot of the stock fork all blown apart and ready to be narrowed.
[5] We started by cutting...
[5] We started by cutting off the fender mounts since we won’t be using them.
[6] Chris installs the rear...
[6] Chris installs the rear of the fork into a custom jig he has made and takes some final measurements before the hacking begins.
[7] The forks’ stem was cut...
[7] The forks’ stem was cut from the rest of the springer. These forks are top quality, so it takes a bit of effort to get them apart.
[8] A predetermined measured...
[8] A predetermined measured amount was then cut from each side of the springer’s cross bar.
[9] The measured amount was...
[9] The measured amount was also cut from where the springs mount to the upper part of the rear leg.
[10] Here’s the rear of the...
[10] Here’s the rear of the springer after getting the slice and dice treatment.
[11] Careful measurements...
[11] Careful measurements were made on the inner and outer sides of each leg where pie cuts will be made.
[12] With a reciprocating...
[12] With a reciprocating saw pie cuts were made to the inside of the leg at the top where they are curved.
[13] Major amounts of material...
[13] Major amounts of material were removed. This is where you need to be skilled to do this job.
[14] The pie cut on the leg...
[14] The pie cut on the leg was closed therefore straightening out the stock bend.
[15] The leg was measured...
[15] The leg was measured again and tweaked until properly aligned, then tacked into place by Chris.
[16] Another pie cut was done...
[16] Another pie cut was done to the outside of the leg about 3 inches below the first cut.
[17] The leg was put back...
[17] The leg was put back in the vice and the pie cut was closed. It was then measured for alignment and tack-welded into place.
[18] The modified leg on the...
[18] The modified leg on the left shows you just how slender this springer is going to be compared to the stock leg on the right.
[19 ] The right leg had the...
[19 ] The right leg had the same pie-cutting treatment done to it and for the first time we saw both modified legs together. Lookin’ good and thin!
[20] Now that the forks will...
[20] Now that the forks will be �ber-narrow, more room has to be made for the springs to comfortably do their thing when compressed.
[21] Allowances also had to...
[21] Allowances also had to be made for the neck cups to be able move freely as well.
[22] Once all the grinding,...
[22] Once all the grinding, fitting, cutting, aligning, and measuring were done, each fork leg was finish welded.
[23] The legs were then treated...
[23] The legs were then treated to a bit of metal working to get any flat or funky spots out of the material.
[24] The legs looked so good...
[24] The legs looked so good after Chris was done with them that it was hard to believe all the savagery they underwent.
[25] The rear legs were bolted...
[25] The rear legs were bolted back into the jig and carefully measured and aligned.