Springer vs Girder Forks

[indianut]

Originally Posted by Sarge

The difference in ride is so negligible, in practice, that other factors, like size and "style," of the mechanism's attractiveness to the eye were the only considerations. Indian's long leaf spring jutted out over the front fender; Harley's springer was a compact unit all the way up to behind the horn and headlight.

Anyone who thinks that has not done much time on BOTH types for comparison! I can say, as a HD Springer rider of many years, that an Indian Leaf-Spring will out-handle a HD Springer Hands Down under ANY circumstances. I'm not talking about handling bumps, I'm talking Handling! The 2 front ends are VERY un-similar as far as handling characteristics go.

[Paps]

Leaf springs are more rigid than coil springs. Coil type continue in flex motion longer. Thank goodness for shocks !! Heh ?? With bad shocks on an auto fitted with coil springs, you bounce up and down, up and down, up and down.... With leaf springs fitted with bad shocks, you hammer the road bed, Bap Bap Bap Bap Bap.....Again, Thank goodness for shocks !! Heh ?? Paps

[Tom347]

Sarge-a real old timer is anyone older than me,and never mind how old that is!

[2vls]

OUTSTANDING!

Now we have a real old school Indian vs Harley dispute going on about whose suspension design from 70 years ago handled the best!

To steal from McDonald's, I'm lovin it.

Which worked best? Perhaps we can take a clue from which company is still making bikes (HD), and which one quit 55 years ago (Indian).

I know it wasn't all about the front suspension. A 4-speed constant mesh transmission and OHV motor also contributed to Harley's dominance.

One real American bike with ancient US DNA continues in the market. For all its faults, it's the Milwaukee Mauler.

Walt

[chiefj48]

Indian went out of business because of miss-management!!!

End of story!!!

[Chris Haynes]

[QUOTE=chiefj48;13082]Indian went out of business because of miss-management!!!QUOTE]

If mismanagement meant producing a machine that was well behind state of the art technology Indian had been doing that since 1916.
Prior to that Indian produced a fine machine with many innovations that H-D didn't have. My guess is that to keep the cost of the motorcycle down, (Henry's Model T was killing the motorcycle industry), it was decided to make motorcycles with fewer parts. A flathead has fewer parts than an overhead. A rigid frame has fewer parts that a swing arm. A kick start has fewer parts than electric start.
Sadly Indian never recovered from this train of thought.

[LouieMCman]

Having had both HD springers and Indian girders for 20 plus years, my humble opinion is that my Indian Cheif rides MUCH better than any of the old Harleys, BUT once you hit that forth gear on a Knucklehead, all the Indian rider sees is a Harley tailight. So, I always wanted to put a Knucklehead with tranny in a Cheif frame to get a perfect 40's bike.

Louie

[TonUp4Less]

I love how almost every thread on this site can turn into a Harley/Indian debate and most at some point do lol

[Bigincher]

Originally Posted by TonUp4Less

I love how almost every thread on this site can turn into a Harley/Indian debate and most at some point do lol

The "debate", as you call it, has been going on since the early 1900's, over 100 years!

[indianut]

Originally Posted by Sarge

The difference in ride is so negligible, in practice, that other factors, like size and "style," of the mechanism's attractiveness to the eye were the only considerations.

Hey Sarge, Any Time you want me to Dis Prove that to you let me put you on a Trailing Link Leaf Spring Indian and we can go for a ride. The best way I can explain it is like this. If you take ANY Springer or Glide Front end and stand it up with a tire and no handlebars and grab it by the Neck Stem what happens? It flops to one side or another. If you do the same with an Indian Trailing Link front end you can push it around the yard in figure 8's if you want! Therein lies the difference in Handling! They don't take the bumps as well, but they will Out Handle a Springer 100 to 1. Even the Glide type would be considered Leading, due to the fast that it is Pushed by the frame. All the new Touring HD's have the neck stem IN FRONT OF the forks. Trailing! That is why Harleys FINALLY handle well in the Twisties. Come on over and try it Anytime. Besides, I'd like to show you My Pile anyways!