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