As you can see I'm toggling between bikes currently. Yesterday I swapped the HD type springer and girder forks on the electric V-twin. The bar clamps are scheduled for delivery Wednesday so the bars are still fixed on the short ahead stem. Final bar position will be approximately 2" back & 2" lower than in the position shown in the photo.
Before & after comparison. Two quite different looks though I like them both having the bars mounted back & lower on dual clamps will be an improvement and I have the intention to modify the girder fork to a dual post cycle style bar setup too and the leaf spring fork on my Simplex Copper gator could be improved with the exact same modification. The ahead stem is a quick build solution but lacks a vintage look except on the really early style American moto cycles.
I build bikes to primarily ride yet my vintage style bikes I'd like to look the part too. Good brakes and tires typically get my approval despite not appearing, vintage, but if I were building show bikes there wouldn't be brakes, throttle or clutch And each would employ a rear bike stand. Safety and ease of practical use get my nod for daily type riders.
I have back problems that are unique to me and the low bars of racers and that includes bicycle road pedal bikes, allow me to ride bent over. I don't feature many old guys would see this as comfortable, but for me it's necessary and quite comfortable and over the last 15 years of riding like this daily my upper body has strengthened greatly as a result. My back is no longer an issue pain wise, but as I said it's not for everybody young or old.
My more upright riding bikes are ok for relatively short rides, but an hour or two on them I'm really not good for a couple of days afterward. My fat bike does have quick adjust bars so I can get some relief but it's far from ideal even then. My MB is fine as the seat has a long popper function that raises the saddle a few inches relative to the bars and pedals and it's great on long rides.
Rick C.
