can I add a suspension front end to this?

[Portland Rob]

Can I add a modern triple tree style suspension front end to this 1954 JC Higgins? What are the variables? Can anyone point me in the right direction? I am hoping to give it a motorcycle look.

 

[udallcustombikes]

Your pic failed to load.

 

[thatismytruck]

Can't hurt to try.
Great bike!!

 

[Portland Rob]

I am rethinking the front suspension fork. Maybe I will just put some 3" tires on it. I just got this on ebay. I don't have the bike yet. What are my tire options? Can I put 24" wheels on it with 3" tires? I don't know anything about Higgins bikes....do I have any options?

 

[karfer67]

did you get my responce? it should work fine it did on "the higgins"

 

[socal_jack]

I think he's talking about a modern suspension fork more like this;

 

[Wildcat]

To see if the 3" tires will fit, measure the width of the forks and rear dropouts, you'll need about a half inch of room on both sides of the tire, so that would be about 4 inches wide. You might get by with 3 1/2 inches of width if the wheel is perfectly straight. Fenders might be a problem also. If you are measuring for 26 x 3", factor in the extra diameter too, it may fit between the dropouts and fork blades, but rub the top of the fork or frame up by the kickstand.

A 26 x 2.35" tire might be the way to go.

 

[jimw1960]

I was watching that one on ebay. Just my opinion, but if you do anything other than clean, lube, tune, and ride it, it would be a crime. That one is in too nice of an original condition to start swapping out parts on. Somebody back me up on this. I like better your idea to just put on as fat a tire as you can and ride it. This bike will get plenty of looks and attention without having to do any mods.

 

[deorman]

I'm not so sure the sheet metal is original to that bike. I could see swapping some parts, but I personally would hold on to anything I took off. I wouldn't paint it, or bend it, but the world will still spin either way. :wink: In all likelihood, If I had it, I'd get a narrower seat and long post, take the sheet metal and put it in the closet, lube the works, and keep air in the tires. Then again, that's what I always do. :roll:
That, and switch tires and handlebars back and forth a few times. :lol:

 

[karfer67]

no he emailed me wanting a front end like that i did on the higgins. basicly it is simple other than some take a 1 1/8 cup but a 1 1/8 steer wont pass through the frame so you have to get reducers to use a 1" headset and a 1" steer fork.