Chopper frame terms, help please

[KeithB]

I am looking at chopper frames. Can someone here explain the following terms they use?"

stretch

downtubes

backbone

soft tail means it has rear suspension right?

Thanks

[rhost]

stretch is how much longer the frame is in length

downtubes are the tube or tubes going from the neck of the bike under the motor and connecting with the backbone

backbone is the tube going from the neck over the motor and connecting with the downtubes

yes soft tail means that it has a suspention.

[KeithB]

thanks

i found a decent deff of strech in the TMW diectionary

Stretch - A chopper term for increasing the neck rake of a motorcycle by extending the length of the frame's front downtubes, which is that part of the frame between the neck and the front motor mounts. Stretching is a chopper modification dating from the 1960's. Its effect was to raise the fork neck, increasing the degree of rake, and allow for the use of a long, extended fork without significantly raising the engine and drivetrain (and bike's center-of-gravity) high into the air. The bike retained a low, long look, high in the center, front to back, and handled relatively well

[BuzZz]

.............. The bike retained a low, long look, high in the center, front to back, and handled relatively well

*relatively* is a relative term......