The Legendary Sugar Bear Springer Front End on a ‘76 Shovelhead Chopper
Motorcycles & ATVs
Motorcycles
The motorcycle builder known as “Sugar Bear” has been working magic on rake angles and trail since the 1960s. His sweet-handling forks for chopper motorcycles are masterpieces of art and engineering.
Sugar Bear developed a signature front end rocker, and by using different rockers for different fork lengths, created choppers with crazy rakes that could still turn in smoothly. For example, the 1976 Shovelhead Chopper recently listed for sale on eBay rocks a sweet Sugar Bear Springer, upping its cool factor ten-fold.
Round Solid Steel
Sugar Bear’s reputation was well established before he opened Sugar Bear’s Shop Chop in South Central, Los Angeles, in 1971. Initially self-taught, Sugar Bear further developed his skills with Benny Hardy, another SoCal bike-building legend. Hardy and Cliff Vaughs built the iconic Captain America and Billy motorcycles from Peter Fonda’s 1969 classic movie Easy Rider.
When Sugar Bear first opened his shop, he made his signature Springer fork up to 18 inches over stock. By 1974, he was building them to 40 inches—sometimes stretching his magic to 60 inches.
Sugar Bear built his Springers out of round solid steel instead of tubing, the route frequently chosen by other builders at the time. That enabled him to push his forks to more extraordinary lengths. He also offset the fork’s triple trees, boosting the turning radius.
A 1973 ad for Sugar’s Springers explains how he achieved his results.
The front legs are threaded at the bottom to allow adjustments by the front Clevis to set the Rockers parallel to the ground depending on the weight of the motorcycle. The best ride is achieved on Springers when the Rockers are parallel to the ground. Three axle positions are provided for setting the stiffness of the ride. The closer the axle to the front legs, the stiffer the ride, the farther out, the softer the ride.
Timeless Chopper Style
Sugar Bear’s chopper front end provides style for miles, flows on the open road, and will turn-in and hold its line reliably. So if the new owner of the 1976 Shovelhead chopper recently listed on eBay wants to get on the gas, the ride will be dialed.
The powerful presence established by the shiny stainless steel front end carries from the stretched neck to the upswept straight pipes. A skilled engraver added an artistic flair to the Shovelhead’s rocker boxes and the bike’s taillight.
Skinny and stretched, a tall king and queen saddle and cross-shaped sissy bar help balance the rear with the raised front end. The soft orange, red, and yellow tones of the paint on the peanut tank and back fender blend well with the tannish-brown hue of the seat.
The color scheme is subtle, letting the engraved Shovel and fork shine brighter. Like the Sugar Bear Springer, the bike’s five-spoke Invader wheels are timeless chopper style.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.