First off, let me say that I think the David Bird Hardtail design is one of the best on the market. It has smoother lines, and looks just right if you ask me. The fit is spot on, and the notches where the upper frame meets the hardtail sections are perfect (unlike some "other" tails where it isn't even notched, requiring a fat ugly MIG weld to fill in the gaps...)
One of the best parts of a DB tail, is that most users can install it without a frame jig, due to the unique fit against the OEM Frame Lowers... This unique fit, does require some extra plating and "boxing" of the joint. you can see below, where the factory frame meets the DB tail section how that all works out (I stole this pic off of the intarwebs...)
This is NOT a David Bird bash, or critique... His products are perfectly fine as is... However, we had a customer who wanted the lines of the DB tail, but not the Triangular plates. So off to the frame jig and we modded the frame to look more "factory" and without the triangular plates...
The owner had brought us the frame pre-cut for a standard style weld on hardtail, so we had to mod the DB tail to fit. No sweat. A little bit of bending, some new tubing, a few slugs, and a new lower frame crossbrace and we were in business...
Ignore the lack of finish welding... I'm planning to do that this afternoon...
As you can see, the lines of the DB tail are perfect (in my opinion) and cleaning up that lower frame section only adds to the appeal of his work...
So keep on chopping, and remember - there is nothing that you can't change to suit your own build.. That's the beauty of it all... We can change, modify, create and adapt to our suit our our style...
