| If you are considering building a custom | | | | hardcore sensation unlike the swing arm |
| bike, you'll need to determine whether to | | | | motorcycle frames. |
| select a hard tail frame (also called a rigid | | | | |
| frame), or a swing arm frame. Deciding on a | | | | Hard tail frames provide a somewhat rougher |
| frame is not to be taken lightly because | | | | ride; people that experience back pain during |
| there are some significant differences in the | | | | long rides almost always avoid this frame |
| frame styles. | | | | style. Kidney-jarring jolts can result from |
| | | | hitting bumps. Yet in this modern day, most |
| The hard tail frame is a single piece frame. | | | | roads are relatively smooth. |
| The rear motorcycle wheel assembly attaches | | | | |
| directly to the frame, as opposed to a soft | | | | Some people simply love the ride provided by |
| tail frame which is made of two pieces of | | | | the rigid hard tail frame. Others really hate |
| tubing connected at a pivot joint. That is | | | | the differences in ride. The bottom line is |
| the source of the nomenclature; the frame | | | | that you want to select the right frame for |
| really does have a hard tail. The result is | | | | your motorcycle based on your personal needs, |
| that there is no rear suspension to give that | | | | expectations, and planned use. |
| 'floating' feel to the ride. | | | | |
| | | | If you want a cross-country touring cycle, a |
| Initially, all motorcycles were hard tails. | | | | hard tail may not the right choice be for |
| The bent tubing frames allowed the rear hub | | | | you. If you want to build the ultimate custom |
| to be attached through the one piece frame. | | | | show chopper, this frame style could be |
| That is still the way hard tails are put | | | | perfect for you. If you are young, have lots |
| together today. | | | | of stamina, are in great physical condition |
| | | | and don't mind a bit of kidney jolting, the |
| The Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, released in | | | | hard frame is a viable option. However, if |
| 1958, gave riders the first option of | | | | you want to ride from New York to California |
| purchasing a bike with rear suspension. | | | | when you retire, most likely you'll be much |
| Purists, however, still love the ride and | | | | happier riding a soft tail. |
| feel of the hard tail frame. | | | | |
| | | | The choice of hard tail frame or soft tail |
| Jesse James custom bike builder and owner of | | | | frame is entirely a personal choice. Just |
| West Coast Chopper, in a recent documentary | | | | remember, it takes a lot of work to change |
| about the history or motorcycles, stated that | | | | frames, so think through exactly what you |
| he loves the hard tail ride because it allows | | | | expect from your motorcycle before making a |
| the rider to truly become part of the road. | | | | decision about whether a hard tail frame is |
| There is no 'bounce' and the road vibrations | | | | the best solution for your custom motorcycle. |
| are not absorbed by shocks, providing a | | | | |