HISTORY - SPRINGER FRONT END

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The springer fork origins date back to the earliest days of motorcycle design.   There are examples springer front ends on Harleys dating back to the early twentieth century.   The motorcycle designers and builders of the this time in Europe and the USA faced the problem of developing a suspension system capable of coping with the rough, and sometimes frankly non-existent roads.   It had to be simple and rugged, and many designs were introduced by the various factories before they all eventually became replaced with the growing technology of hydraulic telescopic forks.   In the U.S. manufacturers favored the girder fork variation of the springer front end for 30 to 40 years.   In Britain more complex designs of springer forks featuring numerous methods of springing prevailed.   Indian, for instance, developed a springer front suspension system around half a leaf spring.   This leaf spring out above the front mudguard.   It worked well, and didn't look too bad, but the ultimate prize for combining practicality with design elegance had to go to Harley-Davidson.

The classic Harley springer fork appeared as standard issue on the thousands of Flatheads and Knuckles produced through the middle of the 20th century.

I was fitted to the 45 cubic inch built during World War II functioning well under the adverse conditions.

When servicemen returned home hey adopted the classic Harley with its springer fork and fatbobs as their transport of choice.   The motorcycles were inexpensive and readily available.   With the advent of motorcycle clubs members began building the first choppers.   Lopping off Harleys standard hulking great mudguards and dual seats the custom Harley fatbob with it's springer front end was created.   In "The Wild One" Lee Marvin's Flathead easily out does Marlon Brando's stock Triumph in terms of cool.   It may have been slower and more of a handful to ride but it was definately cool.

During the sixties as bike customizing evolved the springer fork was a big part of the customizing credo.   Stretched and raked was the definition of a chopper.   Take a look at the bike riden by Henry Fonda (Wyatt) and Dennis Hopper (Billy) in the film Easy Rider.   Although equiped with hydraulic forks these bikes epitomize choppers.   Long after Harley had adopted Hydraulic forks aftermarket springer front ends were being made in variety of lengths and styles to fit all kinds of bikes.   The design still holds a place in many bikers hearts, a fact recently acknowledged by Harley-Davidson who completed the circle of history with the FXSTS; a modern "Evo" powered v twin with a springer front end.   The springer fork lends itself particularly well to customizing and can be built in a variety of styles.   Custom builders of the sixties and seventies took the basic design and developed extravagant gothic touches like twisted front legs and enormous sculpted lower rockers.