Sunlite springer fork

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ejbabin

New Member
Dec 8, 2014
14
0
0
Louisiana
hey everybody I'm thinking about putting a Sunlite Deluxe Springer Replica Fork on my 26 " cruiser bike with disc brakes. does anybody use this particular setup? or is there a better way i can go?
 

MotoMagz

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2010
1,817
1,154
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Michigan
I have this set up north disc and drum. No problems at all. Only issue is all drum brake arms are different so the drum arm bracket may not fit all arms.But your going disc so your good.
 

boxcar

New Member
Dec 18, 2014
358
4
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Astoria OR
Warning: All springer forks equipe'd with brakes are prone to bunny hoping under heavy braking . Especially during wet or slick conditions.
I have been building bikes ( the big ones ) for years . I run lots of springers .
It's a known issue.....
Still the best looking front end out there.
 

ejbabin

New Member
Dec 8, 2014
14
0
0
Louisiana
I am planning on putting rear u-brakes along with the front disc brakes so I can hopefully eliminate some of those problems
 

boxcar

New Member
Dec 18, 2014
358
4
0
Astoria OR
Just don't grab a hand full of front brake in an emergency , or you will face plant.
You could run a single lever brake and set the bious to the rear.
 

Moisstink

New Member
Aug 2, 2013
146
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Tempe
I have used this fork on many builds. Like said before needs a little work to get the slop out. My version to help with handling. Works really good on my Dailey rider.
Now that is one heavy duty springer! Very nice. I used a basic caliper brake on my sunlite springer and have no issue with it hopping around during braking. Not sure about the disk brake with these, I am sure it would be a sweet set up..
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
4,736
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Oklahoma
Got to agree springers are beautiful, yet at times dangerous. Springs are ok for compression control, but not for rebound....front end hop results. Advice given about bias braking is sound. Culver citys slick shock fabrication also works. I've fabricated an air shock in a configuration similar to his and it eliminated the problem I was having with dual springs. Sportscar Pat uses a friction shock on his wide glide, springer monarch style dual spring forks that is utilized on his Bonneville bikes. Bottom line -discs work good on the springer but work great with some relitively minor alterations. Rick C.
 

sportscarpat

Bonneville Bomber the Salt Flat record breaker
Jun 25, 2009
1,844
485
83
california
Hi Guys,
Been meaning to weigh in on this thread. I have messed with the Monark style forks quite a bit and find the original version that mounts the wheel to the (what I call) swing arms suffers from braking forces upsetting the forks. The Sunlite version and my "wide glide" version attach the hub to the front fork blade and the problems go away. I do add, among other upgrades, a friction shock to our Bonneville race bike forks as the SCTA rules require dampening to any suspension system. I call it my model 1918 shock absorber....
 

indian22

Well-Known Member
Dec 31, 2014
4,736
7,747
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Oklahoma
Good info Pat & timely as I have a new set of Sunlite dual springers ready to mount on a not to distant build. I admire your work. Rick C.
 

curtisfox

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
6,082
4,060
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minesota
I have a couple original Monark and will look into changing them to mount the axel that way,THANKS Pat,good info.................Curt
 

ejbabin

New Member
Dec 8, 2014
14
0
0
Louisiana
Any advice on how i can get all or most of the side to side play out of the fork? it is a little unsettling at higher speeds.
 

sportscarpat

Bonneville Bomber the Salt Flat record breaker
Jun 25, 2009
1,844
485
83
california
Any advice on how i can get all or most of the side to side play out of the fork? it is a little unsettling at higher speeds.
On any springer fork proper adjustment is critical for proper action. I have received Sunlite forks with the swing arms too tight for the fork to function and too loose so they function but with slop. There are shoulder bolts in the arms, then jam nuts. Loosen the jam nuts, tighten the shoulder bolt correctly, retorque the jam nuts. A shoulder bolt should bottom the shoulder, but sometimes this is too tight. If the fork action locks up, then back off the shoulder bolt that is causing the bind by half turn.
I also find that all the Sunlite forks come with a rubber bumper and it is placed above the spring and below the spring perch with the plastic spring centering bushing. Proper location of the rubber is above the spring perch. It is a rebound bumper that keeps the forks from thunking on rebound.