For myself, the Billy bike is better than Captain America chop, more practical too and more suited to UK roads. That said I don't like Sportsters that are trying to be a big twin, they never look right. If your keeping the frame as is, then I'd definitely be looking to ditch that front end and fit forks instead. But if your thinking about altering the frame, then a bit less rake, a bit more ground clearance is what I'd go for. Actually I've still got loads of parts left over from my Norley project, including the extended front end.. I had a hardtailed Ironhead, with a girder front end which had been left standing in a back garden for ten years. That one ended up on the front page of BSH when it was finished. Build what you really like, we all like different styles, just go for it, its all good fun.
Firstly,thanks a lot for the advice! I really appreciate it,especially coming from someone who had completed similar builds and not someone who thinks he could? I keep looking at the girder forks - they look so bloody flimsy and almost weak? Problem is I actually quite like the delicate look of them as I think they compliment the skinny old school overall look of the bike - right down to the narrow spoked wheels and thin tyres.The massive 330 rear wheels with almost Formula 1 sized tyres that seem to be a must nowadays on all the Chops coming from the USA totally turn me off and although I've never myself ridden a bike with a rear end that wide - can't help but think they would make an already challenging bike even more tricky to handle?
I guess there's only one way to find out if you could live with those girders, you've got to ride the thing. If you like them, then fine, if not its easy enough to unbolt them and replace with some suitable forks. I've ridden a few 'radical' chops and I for one prefer decent brakes and no more than 40 degree rake in the headstock. A 21 inch front wheel isn't as bad as you'd think, so I could live with that at least. Here's my old 1970 XL900 the day I got it. Had to push it home a mile or so, but first had to cut off the chain, it was seized solid, along with lots of other rusted out parts.. including the frame lol.. Don't blame me for the metallic brown colour, I sold it to a mate who chose that.
Blimey,a pretty radical rethink and rebuild but a great end result all the same! See what you mean about the paint scheme your mate went for! Hope that's the Mrs???
