some hardtails

[inxs]

- apart from fabricating your own hardtails, if you have the skills, gear, space and time there are many options available for add ons

- in no particular order, as I don't endorse any of these products – or rather, my tired old back will handle a half game of rugby or league and is happy enough to get a work-over in the dojo every week or so, but draws the line at being crunched to fuck by a solid mounted vibrating jackhammer...if I want abuse I only have to remind the missus that ive got several unfinished projects lining up for attention – at least I get to kiss and make up

- apologies if ive missed any of the major providers and there are so many small shops opening and closing that its almost impossible to keep track of them all...still, you know what to do

- Ardcore Choppers ...

specialize in metric-only fabrication​

frames constructed in-house to your specs in precision jigs​

professionally Heliarc(TIG) welded to high quality standards​

any rake/stretch available​

jackshafts available ... big rear tyres with NO motor or wheel offset​

single downtubes available​

several tubing sizes available on most models​

different style hidden axle blocks (round/rectangular) available​

H-D forward control mounts available on most models​

MSO provided​

- pics

- Elswick Cycles ...

blog​

available as drop seat or straight​

100% professionally TIG welded in a jig​

0.120" wall 1" diameter tubing​

billet plugs​

3/8" axle plates with built in adjusters​

3/4" axle slot and correct axle plate width to fit stock wheel and axle​

available in any stretch/axle drop combo​

includes hardtail, billet plug for the bottom of the center post, axle adjuster bolts, axle nut spacer for adjuster, and detailed instructions​

- dropseat frame

- hardtail frame

- G and L Choppers ...

offers custom made weld-on hardtail sections, complete hardtail frames and rollers​

built in a frame JIG and TIG welded​

1.125" DOM tubing​

hardtail frame -180/200 rear tire or stock size rear wheel​

custom rake​

gooseneck​

offered in either a 4 or 5 inch stretch​

frame plugs, axle adjustment bolts/nuts and front seat gusset included​

- pics
- std hardtail

- gooseneck

- Garage Company Customs ...

0.120 wall DOM steel​

100% tig welded​

DIY kit comes with axle adjusters, weld in piece for the rear loop/motor mount and seat gusset...the bungs are already welded in place​

stretch and drop options are available​

- pics

- Kansas Kustoms ...

hardtails 1.25 .120 wall ERW tubing​

approximately 4" ground clearance with stock wheels and tires​

stock width to wide tire applications​

4" of stretch​

Axle plates for stock rear wheel​

Axle plates are cut with a water jet machine for constant accuracy​

Top two tubes are coped to fit​

Bottom two rails have plugs​

Tig welded in Jig​

Frames are built from 1.25" .120 wall ERW tubing​

includes flat axle plates and double down tubes​

Frames come with a MSO​

- pics

- Low Brow Customs – David Bird ...

available in 0" (stock), 2", 4", and 6" stretch​

0", 1", 2", 3" or 4" of drop​

2 versions, straight and looped​

1.125" diameter 0.120 wall DOM tubing-matches stock front frame section​

3/8" thick axle plates feature 3/16" doubler plate and 0.800" axle slot, fits stock rear wheel, axle, and axle adjusters​

TIG welded with MIG welded axle plates​

DIY instructions ​

- looped

- straight

- Metal Head Cycles ...

blog​

rail heights between 3 to 4"​

stretch between 0 to 4"​

standard and extended backbone style hardtails​

every hardtail is tig welded in a jig​

3/8" thick cnc cut axle plates​

1.125" x 0.120 wall DOM. tubing​

heavy wall DOM sleeves for tubing connections​

- pics ...

- Slice and Dice Customs ...

Hand built old school 1960's choppers, bobbers and cafe racers​

Metal fabrication of frames, tanks, fenders, oiltanks and bars​

my-space ​

- pics ...

- Tanks by Tigman ...

all frames fabricated using D.O.M. tubing​

TIG welded​

New frames come with MCO. (Manufactures Certificate of Origin) and reciepts​

can modify your frame to fit your needs​

- metric frames ...

- TC Bros ...

provide hardtails for XS650 and CB750​

universal hardtail kit and a range of other products​

3"stretch​

5"ground clearance​

ship the complete piece or weld it on for you​

- Pics

 

[inxs]

- Amen Motorcycles...

amen saviour...old frames with a grey reputation​

the new operation provides completely different frames​

- pics

- Black Widow Choppers... not heard good things about them ...1 in tube, bad welds... site is down...if you look to buy a bike with one of these frames-BEWARE...
hondachopper
cyclepsycho

- Fong bros ...

interesting concept-keeping the mid-mounts on what appears to often be a TC Bros hardtail?​

- Mule ...

not hardtail but nice frames anyway so I have included them because I can​

mule​

- philly custom build service ...

 

[inxs]

- or do it yourself...brocanass from 'rattlers'

 

[rustynail99]

inxs this is a great thread! and i about rolled out of my chair at the vibrating jackhammer comment! too funny! lol. i have an XS with an Amen style frame that looks almost just like the one in the pics but i cant seem to find a vin on it anywhere. do you know anything about these frames?

 

[sherwin]

Some really great information here, thanks inxs !

 

[MercKing]

I didn't see any frames for the xs on amen's site. Did I miss em or no pics?

 

[inxs]

- forgot to add this little gem

- modern amen frames seem to be oriented towards the high end 2 wheel tractor brigade or boutique 1 off design big spenders
- in the past they provided their plunger style rear add ons and complete frames for the milwaukee crowd, british oilers, CB750 and XS650-although even their old catalogues rarely seem to mention the XS...some scans...

 

[shaunster]

I don't think Slice'N'Dice is making frames at the moment, but he will be back into it shortly - Dan just recently moved from the Gold Coast here in Australia to LA and is setting shop over there.

His work is top quality, and I am spewing that he moved just before I was ready to get my framed hard tailed.

Good thread.

Has anyone seen any completed bikes with the David Bird loop tail? I hadn't seen that one before and I am interested in how that would look.

 

[Ironsled77]

Inxs I love your write up. Very informative. Keep them coming!

Posted via Mobile

 

[Lefty]

inxs, astounding compilation. this thread should be its own site cause too often I here of guys buying thier first search result and not taking the time to research what is out there. I felt fairly well-versed in what is available but you found a few I had never heard of. I just joined this site and this is my first post. I've been on here for near an hour and don't feel like I've scratched the surface. My question is..do you know if any of these shops carry a liablity insurance or are you forced to sign a waiver? I weld for a living and it means alot to me if some-one is going to stand behind thier work. Thanks.

 

[inxs]

- 'Kansas customs' and 'tanks by tigman' both provide MSO/MCO's...the others dont advertise this...

- as far as liability insurance - thats a very relevant question and should be considered and discussed when enquiring about all products and services, especially when your life depends upon trusting in good quality and workmanship

 

[reverendjack77]

New to the forum, but I wanted to post to let you guys know that paughco is now manufacturing a wishbone frame for the xs650... check out mrluckys.biz under 'xs650' category... just got one for decent money and Ed, who runs the website is awesome.

 

[Beau]

I have a question.

I want to keep my rear end the stock length, but have the bike about 4.5-5" off the ground.

What drop should I be looking to order?

 

[kent_in_kc]

Another classic excellent post from INXS. Thanks, man.

 

[neufeld]

When Someone say 2 or 4 inch stretch...where is that measurement taken from?

 

[hotdog]

It's a stretch over the standard wheelbase of the bike,
so basically it's standard wheelbase + 2-4"
The extra 2-4" is added in between the main frame downtube & the rear axle as part of most hardtail conversions.

 

[neufeld]

Thanks so much. I just bought a 1975 Yamaha xs650, and will spent the winter putting a hardtail on it.. This has to be the best site for information...Thanks so much

 

[Ghetto]

Ordering two G&L tails if they answer the phone tomorrow, if not Elswick will get the order.

 

[CDNTX650]

i had a black widow....not the nicest thing...but i had a chop shop do the welding for me.

 

[Travis]

Another option for XS650 hardtails.. I just started making these: XS650 Hardtail Kit (Universal kit)





And these: Chopper Axle Plates (Hardtail Axle Plates)

Sorry about the plug..