JehD

I always like the springer fork. I had one as a kid on an old cruiser I used to deliver papers with. Years later I picked up a Del Sol for the Mrs with a springer that was super nice but she fell in love with a Panama Jack Huffy so it went away.

What I’m looking for is a Springer for my Electra 7d and I don’t want to lose the front brakes. I would imagine trying to slow from 30 mph with just a rear rim brake is a no go. Electra used to make one years ago but it was A) brakeless and B) seemingly a unicorn as I’ve never found one.

So I’ve been looking at the Monark, both the type 1 and 2. USA made And the company makes a disk brake adapter ( the eBay ones look very cheesy and I’m a heavier guy so I’d I’ll pay a little more for a good one. So a Fork, adapter, replacement hub and disk, having it replaced with black spokes and a nice Shimano Hydro disk setup. I’m guessing about $350 ish for parts and having the wheel built and having the brakes cut and bled, Part of me would love to electrify it but that’s another project all together.

Type 2


Disk adapter


type 1



I could use a drum brake wheel and save the cost of the disk adapter and the hydro brakes but I need to take the front wheel in and off a lot to transport the bike so the Disk option seems better, but it would look cool and retro.

So now the questions.

Any one do this on the Newer Cruisers? I would love to see some pics if you have. The Electras have a long head tube so I’ll have to measure I imagine to see if they even fit, This was the issue before with my C1 trying to find a springer.

Any thoughts, comments, finger pointing etc. let it rip.

OldCruiser

Going to follow your progress on this .
I think if I were to invest that much into a cruiser , I’d be looking at a Ghostrider. I know it’s not a springer front end , but it does have an awesome looking front end and already has a front disc brake .

Velo Mule

I like the look of the Monarch springers more than the Schwinn's. Actually, it is not entirely the looks it is the way that the Schwinn works. If I remember correctly, the wheel moves forward as the fork compresses on the Schwinn. All springer forks are as good as their links and bushings. I am not familiar with this one. From what I have read the original Monarch was a good design and well made.

I also like the looks of drum brakes in the front, however, you have a more modern bike and need to remove the wheel often so I understand your wanting a disk brake.

I will follow your progress on this.

Rollfast

Not totally cheesy...




The only problem I've had is that the stem will not stay put and I had to apply some Permatex? to the bottom bolt to keep it together.

You aren't going to get a 'motorcycle' from it really, but Monark and Hawthorne or Higgins styles are pretty good to work with I gather.

Philphine

i have the monark type fork on one bike, but it's made a little different. the caliper mount is part of the fork it's self, and for some reason on the right side of the fork. it all works though (but if the wheel has a spin on disc mount it can come loose).

i have a couple bikes with front discs, but i can weld a bit and put caliper mounts on them (a schwinn style springer and a hawthorn luxury liner springer). i've seen a piece that lets you use one on a schwinn type springer, but i've never used one myself to know how well they work.

JehD

Well I received an email back from Monark and it’s a no go. Just not long enough. So it goes.

Jmpierce

I don't remember what model Electra this is (it used to be green) a friend gave it to me for a project. The springer has the dropout with the disk brake fittings on it. I'm running a two speed coaster so I'm not going to use a front brake. I think the fork was $35.00 when I bought it.

JehD

it has to be an 04 or older. They went to the pedal forward in 06 IIRC. With the longer frame and longer head tube. They used to sell a springer more of the classic Schwinn type but it’s been discontinued for a long time.

Did you weld on the frame tabs? Or where they there as that may help in figuring out what bike and year it is.

restlessswind

this may work...
https://www.bikeberry.com/bbr-tuning...ycle-fork.html

Philphine

anyone seen this general style fork big/tall enough for a 29er, specifically a 29x3?

Jmpierce

The tabs were there already. I'm not concerned with the identifying it. It was in original condition when I got it. I had the tabs for the 3 speed rear hub removed and had it powdercoated the dark blue color that turned out awesome!

JehD

Its the same fork. 7" total lenght and its not long enough.

My point was its the older pre 06 cruiser with a completely different frame than the 06 and up bikes. Thats why the Monark works on yours and not mine. I think it looks awesome btw.

Jmpierce

Sorry I misunderstood the comment. I didn't realize that Electra changed the head tube. I'm not really familiar with Eletra bikes more of a Schwinn guy.

Good luck with your search.

JehD

No problem at all. I miss my old Schwinn