cowpuc Posted February 5, 2014 #1 Posted February 5, 2014 Bring back any memories Dan? Its a Grass Hopper front end, only made em a couple years (I landed this front end at a swap meet years ago) back in the late 60's.. Motors was a 59 XLCH (first year of the XLCH), mag ignition,, these came stock with a lousy kick start mechanism that liked to disengage and hyper extend the knee... I have a hunch the reason they only made this forks for a short time was they were down right dangerous (like we cared back then), the solid tubes had no flex and there was very little travel in the rockers.. The sideways bounce of a hardtail under throttle over bumps became x2!!
Yammer Dan Posted February 5, 2014 #2 Posted February 5, 2014 Yeah I remember seeing one of those. Thought they had it upside down!!
Peder_y2k Posted February 5, 2014 #3 Posted February 5, 2014 Ahhhh...................wasn't adjusted right. I remember those days too.... was learning on '60's Triumph Bonneville 650. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA
cowpuc Posted February 5, 2014 Author #4 Posted February 5, 2014 Ahhhh...................wasn't adjusted right. I remember those days too.... was learning on '60's Triumph Bonneville 650. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA Outstanding Pete!! Those Bonnies were gorgeous bikes and were runners too!! Its amazing what those old Bonnies are worth now,, maybe I should say were worth a few years ago when $$'s were easier to come by.. Got any old pics? I bet you also spun a few wrenches back then too.. Those old British bikes were fun but, just the old HD's you either wrenched or waited (and paid) for the shop to do it... I got into building the pre 79 Honda 750's cause I got tired of rebuilding motors:rotf:
1rooster Posted February 5, 2014 #5 Posted February 5, 2014 Bring back any memories Dan? Its a Grass Hopper front end, only made em a couple years (I landed this front end at a swap meet years ago) back in the late 60's.. Motors was a 59 XLCH (first year of the XLCH), mag ignition,, these came stock with a lousy kick start mechanism that liked to disengage and hyper extend the knee... I have a hunch the reason they only made this forks for a short time was they were down right dangerous (like we cared back then), the solid tubes had no flex and there was very little travel in the rockers.. The sideways bounce of a hardtail under throttle over bumps became x2!! LONER would be a good name for Yammer Dan's 2nd Gen.
Ventureless Posted February 5, 2014 #6 Posted February 5, 2014 I like it. I wish my 74 XLCH had that front end. I know the 74 is far from the 59, but it was a fun little bike (even though it was the AMF Harley era). That ironhead ran great. Mine was kick start only also and I remember the first time I injured my knee and shin. It also was the last year they used right side shift and left side foot brake. I got used to switching back and forth, but all my riding buddies would hop on, take off, and stop shortly and tell me to come get it. They just couldn't get the hang of it.
cowpuc Posted February 6, 2014 Author #7 Posted February 6, 2014 LONER would be a good name for Yammer Dan's 2nd Gen. That was my "biker name" back in the day... Still lots of folks in our area that call me loner.. My Grandpa actually nicknamed me that when I was young, all the other boys were into sports and I was a lone grease monkey... I like it. I wish my 74 XLCH had that front end. I know the 74 is far from the 59, but it was a fun little bike (even though it was the AMF Harley era). That ironhead ran great. Mine was kick start only also and I remember the first time I injured my knee and shin. It also was the last year they used right side shift and left side foot brake. I got used to switching back and forth, but all my riding buddies would hop on, take off, and stop shortly and tell me to come get it. They just couldn't get the hang of it. It looks wayyy cool Bumble Bee but I am telling ya,, it rode like it had NO suspention at all!! Far better off with an actual springer that flex's as well as allows for full rocker action!! Spent many hours on that old right side shift and didnt mind it a bit, always said it was my main security device One of the 59's huge problems was the clutch (ok, and the brakes, getting the mag in the spot for starting and keeping the push rods tight).. I tried everything to keep plates in it (both wet and dry systems) but that old 900 would just eat em up...
Carbon_One Posted February 6, 2014 #8 Posted February 6, 2014 Good post Puc. Reminds me of the 68 Sportster I had for a few years. when I was in my twenties. Kick start with a mag hung on the right side. I could "usually" get her started within the 3rd kick. But boy if I didn't that puppy sure could throw your leg into a fit. Fact is to this day I still have problems with my right knee from that machine. Loved riding it just the same thou. The previous bike was a 66 650 BSA. A kicker too but no where the beast the Sporty was. Ah to be young again eh? Larry
djh3 Posted February 6, 2014 #9 Posted February 6, 2014 Looks like you would have got plenty of flex from the neck and those looong fork tubes. To heck with the springs. lol My brother got one of the 750 fours when they first came out. Back then that ws a pretty big bike. I kind of think thats a bike that got big red up and competing, and then later the goldwing.
cowpuc Posted February 6, 2014 Author #10 Posted February 6, 2014 Looks can be very deceiving Dj,, absolutely NO flex in those GrassHopper forks - solid tubing and very little flex area in the forks (cause the bottom spring clamps on the tube used up flex area) - even being 10 over it didnt matter.. Now the 18 over on the 69 Honda,,, it was so flexibly soft it would put ya to sleep...
starrider60 Posted February 6, 2014 #11 Posted February 6, 2014 HAD ONE ON MY '74 650 YAMAHA. OKAY UP TO 65 MPH. SCARY AT SPEED. BUT I WAS BULLETPROOF.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now