Classic Springer Forks 2” Shorter than Stock

Classic Springer Forks 2” Shorter than Stock

These are the Inline Springer forks for cool Lowrider projects. They are 2” shorter than the stock versions and will let your bike’s front end look a lot different. All other features match the standard length Classic Springer forks:

all brackets for brake anchor, front fender and ride control are there and just like stock.
fork stem works with the included centering collar for 1936-up ball bearings and also features two Ø1” bearing seats for the use of 1949-up tapered bearings without any modifications. They are not drilled for the 1948→ steering head lock.

Length is measured from axle center line to seat of lower steering head bearing.

Although these Custom forks are intended for 1936-1957 rigid frame Big Twins they can be mounted with later frames, too, provided you have/install matching frame head beariings. The builder has to consider rake, trail, overall chassis geometry, brake function, etc.

These forks are shorter than stock, so it is the builder’s responsibility to check for sufficient ground clearance of exhaust system, controls, footboards, etc.

1.) The pivot point of the brake shackle on the backing plate or caliper bracket must not be positioned vertically above or in front of the wheel axle (driving direction). In this case the moving forces in your fork parallelogram will be reversed and the fork will rebound instead of being compressed when you apply the brake. This will generate very high forces to impact on your rigid fork leg with possible damage.

2.) Caliper bracket or drum brake backing plate must float on the wheel axle. If not, the fork will rebound as well when applying the brake. Result: see above.

fits Big Twins
internal thread of neck post: 3/4”-14 UNS
steel, black, powder-coated
length: 43.5 cm
Europe

Internal Threads on the Upper End of the Legs

For custom riser installation the fork legs have M20x1.5 internal threads at the upper end and accept riser adapter studs or plugs which are available separately; an extra added by the manufacturer which saves you a lot of work and axle grease.

Inline vs. Offset

Classic Springer Forks are produced for different frame rakes.

In the beginning, both the main tubes and the steering stem were in the same plane. This is called "inline". The rake is 0°. Of this type were all 45” Springer forks 1936-1957 and all Big Twin forks 1936-1945.
From 1946 onwards the Big Twins had the neck angle increased to 30°. To maintain fork inclination and ground clearance, the steering stem was tilted to the rear by 3°. We call these forks Offset -3°, they were stock on 1946-1948 Big Twins.
When building a bike with ≥+8” extra long forks you don’t want the steering neck so high and inclined that the bike is difficult to steer. Therefore such forks are manufactured with a positive rake, i.e. the steering stem is inclined to the front by 3°. We call these forks Offset +3°.

The sketch shows the placement of the lateral tubes and steering stem seen from the drivers place. Now it is clear, too, why there have to be three different types of top trees or handlebars for Classich Springer forks.

Parkerized Rockers

As a running change the manufacturer currently changes all black powder-coated rockers to a parkerized finish, as it was original back in the days. For a transition period W&W Cycles will have both types in stock, so if this is important for you, please contact our sales staff and let them know your preference.