Sugar Bear Front End on a K9

[avatharv]

I am really wanting a Sugar Bear front end on my 2006 Big Dog K9.

Has anyone else done this? Recommend or not?

It sounds like I need a narrow glide wheel. Is that going to replace my entire front tire & chrome? I know I will probably need to change the brakes in the front, but I'd like my front mag to match the rear.

Thoughts?

 

[1 B.M.F.]

Send it to kounts Kustoms in Vegas. Apparently he and sugar bear are buddies and he can get done. Your probably looking at minimum of 10k. You’ll need new brakes, sugar bear front end, new bars, risers, not to mention reworking the down tube and backbone. If you notice the S.B. Front ends are a lot longer. They claim to have 0 degree of trail.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Send it to kounts Kustoms in Vegas. Apparently he and sugar bear are buddies and he can get done. Your probably looking at minimum of 10k. You’ll need new brakes, sugar bear front end, new bars, risers, not to mention reworking the down tube and backbone. If you notice the S.B. Front ends are a lot longer. They claim to have 0 degree of trail.

0 inches of trail it will handle great at low speed, but at 80 she's going to wobble more.
Trail should be 0-6" . I'd try to get a trail close to what we have now (around 4.6" I believe -- someone correct me if I am wrong)

I always wanted to do this and was just talking about it recently. -- No longer anywhere near close to being in my budget unless I hit the lotto.

Keep up posted if you go this route.

My ideal would be an inverted springer made by S.B.

 

[avatharv]

Does anyone know if this has been done to a Big Dog before? I think it would look cool, but I’m not sure. Also, more of a chill rider.. I typically don’t hit the highway and do more than 70-75 if I am being honest.

I should look up the Kount, I watch his show all the time and like his work.

 

[1 B.M.F.]

Does anyone know if this has been done to a Big Dog before? I think it would look cool, but I’m not sure. Also, more of a chill rider.. I typically don’t hit the highway and do more than 70-75 if I am being honest.

I should look up the Kount, I watch his show all the time and like his work.

Shannon his bike mechanic he doesn’t say a lot but he knows his stuff. He builds some pretty damn cool bikes. I saw one episode where he went to a swap meet and built a bike in a day. Pretty damn cool. I had a buddy that got me into Harleys. He put together a sportster drag bike for me in just a few hours and the engine was in two five gallon buckets. There is a lot of good bike builders out there but very few who can put them together in a day. You have to know bikes inside and out.

 

[avatharv]

Yeah, you just watch the show... you can respect his whole team and see they all know what they are doing. I know Horny Mike is a character, but I still respect his art.

I saw in an interview that he started with 9 in his crew and at the time of the interview, was up to 40+. I think I would still trust his backstage builders more than most.

 

[avatharv]

I sent them a request for quote for the work. You never know.. until you ask.

I will keep you informed.

 

[pauly]

Not a Sugar Bear front end but you might still be interested to have a look and a read.

Need Info on a Springer Front end.

for those of you that have installed a springer or for those that ride a springer. what do you feed is the differance between the stock and the springer front end. i have been looking at a springer for the k-9 but i have also been told that the ride is harsh compaired to the stock unit. any...

www.bigdogbiker.com

New springer front end for the Reaper Bike

Got a springer front end put on my Reaper Bike, here are a few pics.

www.bigdogbiker.com

Paul.

 

[avatharv]

I just sent off my money for a Sugar Bear springer front end on my K9. There is a 24 week backlog/waiting list to get it. I guess we will be look at summer time. I am so excited. I think it is really going to look radical. From what I gather, Sugar Bear is a one person business. Surprisingly, he is pretty responsive in the email department and called back my mechanic. Everything is hand made (which explains the lead time).

At this point, I want to keep my existing mag ( I really like these and don't want a spoke rim). I am not really looking to extending the front forks, might have to.. just a bit to keep the same rake. Also hope to be able to have a front brake on it.

I really can't decide if I want a front fender or not. It looks like it is not necessarily going to be easy to mount one. I would kind of like to have one: to keep from the front tire throwing crap on the engine and to pay homage to the fact it is a K9 and had a fender. I am considering a compromise and having the front fender remade or bought smaller. Any thoughts or opinions?

If I don't post any updates between now and then.. here is what the ride currently looks like.

 

[FrankBDPS]

Congratulations. This should be interesting to see.

 

[awg]

When they make this thing, can they some how include brackets or whatever you would need to use a front brake and mount a front fender? I think Big Dog's look better with a front fender. And to me, a front brake is a must. Like Frank say's it will be interesting to see.

 

[1 B.M.F.]

In my opinion a big dog needs a front fender to be a big dog. But when you remove the front end and replace it with a sugar bear front end, it’s no longer a big dog. It’s a big dog custom. it will look better without a front fender. I’ve only seen one springer with a fender that looked good. Sugar bear springers don’t need a fender. The longer the front end on a sugar bear the better. To each their own though. That’s why we ride choppers. Just to be different. Take pix I’m really curious to see one.

 

[avatharv]

In my opinion a big dog needs a front fender to be a big dog. But when you remove the front end and replace it with a sugar bear front end, it’s no longer a big dog. It’s a big dog custom. it will look better without a front fender. I’ve only seen one springer with a fender that looked good. Sugar bear springers don’t need a fender.

I somewhat disagree with you. Stock Big Dogs are pretty custom and unique to start with. You never hear someone say it isn't a Big Dog anymore because the paint job was done (or re-done) by someone other than the factory. Even from the factory, the paint jobs are super varied. I see almost all Big Dogs as customs.

The 2 reasons I wanted a front fender was to 1) help keep the front tire from throwing crap back on the engine, and 2) Big Dog choppers have front fenders. And as much as I love Harleys, I would like to keep it looking more Big Dog than Harley, if possible.

I do tend to agree with your whole second point.. you don't usually see Sugar Bears with front fenders (which is something else that would make it stand apart a bit).. SBs don't need it.. and I tend to agree that it would probably look better. You still think no fender, even if it were a custom small one?

I've ridden for years and this is my first chopper, I like the length it is now, but it will still probably end up being longer.

 

[avatharv]

When they make this thing, can they some how include brackets or whatever you would need to use a front brake and mount a front fender? I think Big Dog's look better with a front fender. And to me, a front brake is a must. Like Frank say's it will be interesting to see.

Yeah, a front brake for safety is a must. I am going back and forth with the front fender. I agree Big Dogs look better with a front fender, but I think Sugar Bears prob look better without.

 

[avatharv]

I just want to personalize it, but keep it from looking overkill. I know it is a fine line.

 

[HMAN]

You still think no fender, even if it were a custom small one

Not a springer but homemade....keeps the rooster tails down just a little bit.

 

[avatharv]

Not a springer but homemade....keeps the rooster tails down just a little bit.

That's creative!

 

[awg]

If you don't want a stock Big Dog fender, maybe cut one down a bit so it will help with stone's being tossed up but wont look to long.

 

[Jersey James]

Back in the early 70s, 99.9% of the guys who ran Springer's, NEVER ran a front fender. It just doesn't look right. Also most ran 21 inch front wheels

 

[Jersey James]

This is not a Sugar Bear Springer, but I have seen them on other bikes before. This bike is currently for sale on eBay, if you would like to view additional photos. As you can see, the owner has a front fender and brakes.