does anybody know where to get a rigid frame for a 1973 harley davidson sportster?

Answer 1

If you're looking for an off-the-shelf rigid frame for an Ironhead try to get a Paughco. Sauntee and some of the others are kind of a pain to set up forward controls on. J&P has 'em; http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=D2B5945C-6A1B-437A-96A1-D051D99BAA2E&search=frame&store=Vintage&page=3
And I see 'em every once in a while on eBay too. If you buy a used one, make sure it comes with papers so that you'll be able to register the bike. (if the frame and engine numbers don't match and the bike isn't registered with the frame numbers the cops can impound the bike and you may never get it back.)
The bolt-ons and weld-ons are a way to get around the registration issue - they're less expensive and they'll work, but the frame will be heavy. The Paugcho rigid will be lighter. Lighter equals faster.
Before you buy one you might wanna go to the Paughco site http://www.paughco.com/ and check out the options for rake, neck pin size, fat bob tank mounts, etc so that you know what you're getting when you make the purchase. Also check out this Yahoo club that specializes in Ironhead Choppers:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ironheadchoppers/ There's some good info in the archives.
Ride safe

Answer 2

I've owned both, they are both great bikes. I've had four Sportsters and 9 other HD bikes over fifty years. The Sportster has a smaller engine and is not a woman's bike. The Dyna series has extra gas in the frame and the oil bag is in the gas tank. Dyna is much more comfortable and lower to the ground. The difference is in the performance, if you get the Dyna you will know where the 6K went to. I have an 06 Ultra Classic and have NEVER mocker another bike owner. I never even mock the jap bike owners, we're all bikers. The only thing I didn't like about the Dyna (Street Bob) were the handlebars which can be replaced. Ride on Brother.

Answer 3

In SD we have a large swap meet coming up the end of October. It's a really fun event and if one wanted a particular frame for '73 it could be procured after a day of haggling and hunkering down with some of the folks at the meet. It's held in Sioux Falls, SD and more information can be obtained through J & L HD in Sioux Falls. God Bless, Preacher.

Answer 4

If ya have a decent back now after ridin' a hardtail for a while ya won't even if you are young.So why would ya want a ridgid frame? Looks? A softail has that look ya want. And an original Sporster is worth more with shocks than without(original frame)

Answer 5

If you have the stock frame, you can get either a weld-on or bolt-on hardtail section here:

http://www.jpcycles.com/search.aspx?search=hardtail&store=Harley

or an entire frame here:

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=C398980E-96DF-4A74-8A5E-962B8C4900E4&search=rigid&store=Harley&page=1

or here:

http://denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/cmn/prodlist.jsp?store=Main&catId=210&leafCatId=21011&brandId=555&np=

Answer 6

Maybe u can get it from the dealers. But I advise u to have a try on a site called bikerkiss. There are many motorcyclists there. I think they can give u what u want.

Answer 7

If your going to use a rigid frame, what difference does it make what the year is???

Answer 8

pacho has been making frames for many years, many catalogues have them. check midwest, custom chrome, chrome specialties

Answer 9

check out motorcycle grave yards...junkyards. or eBay
Wisconsin motorcycle salvage

Answer 10

try these sites

http://www.flyritechoppers.com/Pg/FRCFrameChassis.html

http://shop.demonscycle.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/2770063/vpcsid/0/SFV/31995

http://www.thompsonchoppers.com/docs/frames.html

http://kustomcycles.com/bikes/index.php?id=79\

the list goes on just google it.