Comments on: Evo Sportster Swing Arm Choppers http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/ Ultimate Resource for home built motorcycles, choppers, bobbers, cafe racers and more. News, photos, video, builds, tech Tue, 07 Sep 2010 01:19:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: rocket http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16318 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:51:14 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16318 Thanks for the clarification, grail, your point is well taken. I misunderstood. Although my preference leans towards rigid bikes (Sportsters in particular) the one obstical I see on the EVO Sportster's profile is the rear shock hung directly over the swingarm. That feature gives it the old hum drum look of the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) from a decade or two ago. Although it would take a bit of engineering, some welding and a few bruised knuckles, if and when I build a suspended bike it would be an EVO Sportster but with the rear shocks moved forward about 6 or 8 inches on the frame and swingarm. This, to me, would achieve the look of the earlier era Big Twins and Sportsters (like the one in the link 'OldStaleNegative' posted. Bravo OldStale, you have an eye for the sublime.) You have one heck of a commute, grail. A stock Sportster config sounds like a way to be cool and show up for work on time with some regularity. I cheer you on in your build. rocket >40 degree Paughco EVO Sporty chop (daily rider) >30 degree Paughco Buell chop (in progress) Thanks for the clarification, grail, your point is well taken. I misunderstood.

Although my preference leans towards rigid bikes (Sportsters in particular) the one obstical I see on the EVO Sportster’s profile is the rear shock hung directly over the swingarm. That feature gives it the old hum drum look of the UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) from a decade or two ago.

Although it would take a bit of engineering, some welding and a few bruised knuckles, if and when I build a suspended bike it would be an EVO Sportster but with the rear shocks moved forward about 6 or 8 inches on the frame and swingarm. This, to me, would achieve the look of the earlier era Big Twins and Sportsters (like the one in the link ‘OldStaleNegative’ posted. Bravo OldStale, you have an eye for the sublime.)

You have one heck of a commute, grail. A stock Sportster config sounds like a way to be cool and show up for work on time with some regularity. I cheer you on in your build.

rocket
>40 degree Paughco EVO Sporty chop (daily rider)
>30 degree Paughco Buell chop (in progress)

]]> by: grail21 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16308 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:41:44 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16308 Just to be clear, I was speaking from a purely aesthetic standpoint, not from a technical standpoint. Most builds have their challenges whether they're rigid frames or use a swing arm. However, rigid frames - from an aesthetic standpoint - just look better right off the bat. They're simple, have clean lines and less things to get in the way of look. My point was that with swing arm frames you have to work a bit harder to achieve the same level of aesthetic success. Obviously it's do-able, there are plenty of examples of chops that look killer with a swing arm. But you can grab an evo sporty and toss the whole thing in a Smoking Gun frame and bam, you have a killer looking bike. Not that the build would be easy, but from a aesthetic standpoint, you know you've got it. Swing arms are a little trickier. Just to be clear, I was speaking from a purely aesthetic standpoint, not from a technical standpoint. Most builds have their challenges whether they’re rigid frames or use a swing arm. However, rigid frames - from an aesthetic standpoint - just look better right off the bat. They’re simple, have clean lines and less things to get in the way of look. My point was that with swing arm frames you have to work a bit harder to achieve the same level of aesthetic success. Obviously it’s do-able, there are plenty of examples of chops that look killer with a swing arm. But you can grab an evo sporty and toss the whole thing in a Smoking Gun frame and bam, you have a killer looking bike. Not that the build would be easy, but from a aesthetic standpoint, you know you’ve got it. Swing arms are a little trickier.

]]> by: Simon http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16307 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:13:48 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16307 I think what he meant is it's harder to establish good clean lines in a sportster with a swingarm than a rigid, which I think is pretty true, I'm keeping the swingarm on my ironhead because I think it will give it a more unique look and I think when it's truly done right it looks awesome and is more functional. I think what he meant is it’s harder to establish good clean lines in a sportster with a swingarm than a rigid, which I think is pretty true, I’m keeping the swingarm on my ironhead because I think it will give it a more unique look and I think when it’s truly done right it looks awesome and is more functional.

]]> by: rocket http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16300 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:15:50 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16300 The pictures you post are great examples of customzing. A few are even approch sick status. Well done. but; "....it's a lot harder than tossing a motor into a rigid frame."(?) I'd'say the task of building a rigid Sporty from the ground up is at least on equal footing with your project, worthy as it is. best to you, rocket The pictures you post are great examples of customzing. A few are even approch sick status. Well done.

but; “….it’s a lot harder than tossing a motor into a rigid frame.”(?)

I’d’say the task of building a rigid Sporty from the ground up is at least on equal footing with your project, worthy as it is.

best to you,
rocket

]]> by: OldStaleNegative http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16239 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:56:05 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16239 OK, try this link instead?... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2902606036_33dc2c59cf.jpg OK, try this link instead?…

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/2902606036_33dc2c59cf.jpg

]]> by: OldStaleNegative http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16238 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:55:22 +0000 http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/2008/09/30/evo-sportster-swing-arm-choppers/#comment-16238 yes!!! just got back from Japan and saw this sick swingarm HD too...sorry it's not an EVO, but maybe I'll send pics of my Ironhead sporty when it looks more like this ;) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9307289@N04/2902606036/" title="IMG_3718.JPG by sfmisfits, on Flickr" rel="nofollow"></a> yes!!! just got back from Japan and saw this sick swingarm HD too…sorry it’s not an EVO, but maybe I’ll send pics of my Ironhead sporty when it looks more like this ;)

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