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Frame Terminology
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I would like to take a second to thank Lowrider Tommy for clearing up the terminology of chopper frames. I have gotten "FUNNY" looks in the past from builders because I used the wrong terminology when refering to a frame. Also I have seen alot of confusion during online discussions because of people refering to a swingarm frame as a softail ect... Thank You Tom, |
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| People seem to label motorcycle frames any way
that suites their needs these days. Below I have tried to compile a list
of the various terms and a brief description of the way the industry intended
them to be used.... Rigid Frame: A frame that was originally manufactured as a rigid frame, as did the Hds and many others in the earlydays of motorcycles. That is .. no suspension.. similar to most bicycle frames in design. |
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| Hardtail frame: This would be any pre-manufactured frame, usually a suspension frame of sorts, that has a hardtail rear section welded to it. Making it apear to be similar to a Rigid frame. |  |
| Hardhead Frame: These are factory frames that have the ugly neck and backbone area replaced by a smoother looking section to give the bike a cleaner look and usually added rake and stretch at the same time. A common practice to do to the swing arm frames of the 70s and 80s. |  |
| Swing Arm frame: This a frame that was manufactured to use an arm off the rear that is intended to be hooked to shock absorbers giving the swing arm itself suspension. A monoshock frame is a swing arm frame that has one shock absorber, usually, but not always, connected to the front center of the swing arm.. |  |
| Softail Frame: This is actually a name that HD has trademarkes for themselves. It is a frame that has a rear section that looks like a rigid frame, but pivots under the seat area of the frame. It has shocks that are connected to the frame on the underside. When assembled.. it appears to be a rigid .. but actually rides on shock absorbers. |  |
| Plunger Frame: This is a frame from the past that has individual suspension setups on each side where the rear axel is mounted to the frame. The original Indian Motorcycle, as well as a few others have used this design in years past... but no one has attempted to use one for many years. Aftermarket frames of this style became quite the rage during the chopper era of the 70s and 80s... the most widely used being the Amen Saviour |  |