Best Springer Fork to accomodate BOA-G tyres

[Culprit Tech]

Hello,

Complete novice builder and first time poster - I'm looking to build a Ruff cycles style cruiser from separate components. I like the look of their new Lucky V 1.0 frame and was wanting to add vintage springer forks to accomodate 3.45 BOA-G tyres and 65mm rims - will most cruiser 26 springer forks house these size wheels or am I way off the mark and need to seek out something bulkier / wider ? As I say - complete novice so go easy on the comments Thanks in advance!

 

[justride]

Great frame - I really like the look of that one. I'm not sure the vintage fork is the way to go with this build. I'm saying this for two reasons - technical and aesthetic. The Lucky V is a modern, large scale frame, and has a 1 1/8" head tube. I can't think of any vintage springers that are 1 1/8". While you can get special headsets so you can use a 1" fork in a 1 1/8" head tube, I'm not sure you will be able to find a vintage springer that will work with the 65mm rims.

The other problem that you will run in to is aesthetics. The scale of that frame - large enough to work with 29" rims - demands a robust looking fork. I'm thinking an Abraham Linkage from Felt, or the Sunlite equivalent. I also think some triple trees will work in there as well. A vintage Monark has pretty spindly looking tubes, as do the old Schwinn springers. The scale will be off, IMO.

Whatever direction you go in, you are starting with a great frame - were I to buy a Ruff, that one would be on the top of my list.

 

[Culprit Tech]

Wow - thanks Justride - amazing feedback ... Some really invaluable info there. Very much appreciated!! Triple trees might be the way forward

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Sunlite deluxe would suit well too! Here is a thread comparing the Monark mega and Sunlite deluxe: http://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/index.php?threads/monark-mega-sunlite-deluxe-kai-cheng-fork.74436/

Luke.

 

[Culprit Tech]

Awesome - thanks Luke - will def check out that link

 

[Rat Rod]

 

[NicksGarage]

View attachment 330

Do you know the height of those tires? Might be too tall to fit in the front fork on the Sunlite version. My 26x2.35 346 tires are fairly close with 50mm wheels.

 

[Rat Rod]

Do you know the height of those tires? Might be too tall to fit in the front fork on the Sunlite version. My 26x2.35 346 tires are fairly close with 50mm wheels.

Approx. 28" tall.

 

[NicksGarage]

I'll measure mine when I get home.

Sent from my HTC EVOLTE using Tapatalk 4 Pro.

 

[mikeeebikey]

I used a U.S. Choppers vertical springer, chopped it way down, made new dropouts, it'll fit Boa tires, or even small motorcycle tires....

Please note: I have a killer tool set and machine shop at my disposal.

 

[NicksGarage]

Here's another picture of your old Ruff showing the clearance better.

 

[mikeeebikey]

Just so it is said, I have modified horizontal springers to accept 3" tires. Think outside the box.....

 

[NicksGarage]

This is the Sunlite version with a 26x2.35 tire on a 50mm rim. The tire is about 26 3/4" tall and there is about 3/4" clearance between the tire and the top of the front fork. Looks like you'd have to use the Felt version with the BOA G.

 

[Culprit Tech]

Thanks for all the feedback and cool pics!

 

[HippieKruiser]

You can use "classic" springer forks as well. There are spacers for 1-1/8 headtubes that reduse its diameter to accommodate classic design springer forks. As for OLD, I replaced stock bolt that attaches fork legs to a stem with 10mm axis that could be easily bought Ina hardware shop. Since new OLD of the fork is now nearly unlimited all you have to do is to place as many spacers as you need to fit any rim. Do the same with fork crown as well.

Here's a pic of the result.

 

[Culprit Tech]

That's pretty .... awesome HippieKruiser !!