Can I Put A Racing Bike Forks On My Harley?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Modern Harley-Davidsons tend to have much larger diameter fork tubes than earlier models, with

49mm being a common size

. Typically, the larger and heavier the model motorcycle, the more heavy-duty, and thus larger diameter, the fork tubes and entire fork assembly.

What is an inverted front end on a Harley?


Inverted forks are better, stronger and lighter than conventional front ends

. A steel fork tube is the heaviest part of a traditional fork (tube & slider) assembly. By design, inverted forks have shorter and thinner walled fork tubes. The result, less steering inertia and more responsive handling.

What are Harley inverted forks?

By design, inverted forks have

shorter and thinner walled fork tubes

. This results in less steering inertia and more responsive handling feel. One more benefit, inverted front ends deliver better compression and rebound dampening than conventional designs.

How do I identify my motorcycle forks?

How do I know if my motorcycle forks are bad?

What Harleys have 41mm forks?

YEAR MAKE MODEL 2001 – 2006 Harley-Davidson Deuce-Injected – FXSTD-I 2000 – 2005 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide – FXDWG 2004 – 2005 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide-Injected – FXDWG-I 2007 – 2013 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic (EFI) – FLHTC

What size are Sportster forks?

YEARS MODELS DIAMETER 1963-1970 SPORTSTER

1.312′′
1971-1972 SPORTSTER 1.312′′ 1973-1975 FX (KAYABA) 35mm 1975-1983 FX (SHOWA) 35mm

Can you put a Softail front end on a Sportster?

Dave63 said:

It’ll work, but you have to deal with the issue of the fork stop

. Some softails have external, where as some have internal.

Which is better USD forks vs telescopic?


USD front forks are way more expensive than conventional telescopic suspension

. However, these more advanced USD forks allow more bump absorption that makes the suspension more prone to damage.

Which is better USD forks or telescopic?

First, the production and assembly of this fork is cheaper and can be serviced easily. This fork does not have any chances of spillages, which makes it more stable on the bumpiest roads. Hence, the overall shock absorption facility is better and stiffer in

telescopic forks

.

What is upside down forks?

The term USD stands for UpSide Down. It is

a telescopic fork but fitted inversely or in an upside-down position

. So, in short, it’s an upside down fork. In this design, the upper tubes (fixed fork tube) have a larger diameter than the lower tubes (immersion or slider tubes).

Is it proper to eat with fork upside down?

There are two basic methods for eating with a knife and fork. The “American” involves having your fork in your left and your knife in your right when cutting your food, then putting the knife down and switching your fork to your right hand to eat, tines facing upwards. (If you’re right-handed, that is.)

Who invented upside down forks?

In the late 1970s,

Steve Simons

invented the anti-cavitation kit, hydraulic bottoming cone, sealed cartridge tubes and, in 1980, the revolutionary upside-down fork. This idea changed motorcycle suspension forever.

How do you invert a motorcycle fork?

What are Harley forks made of?

Since most motorcycle fork tubes are made from

aluminum

, they can be polished to a near chrome-like shine using only a few easily obtained items.

How are Harley front forks measured?

FORK LENGTH:

The distance between the top of the fork tubes to the centerline of the axle

. DIAMETER: The diameter of the front tire. TRAIL: The distance defined by the vertical line from axle to ground and the intersection of centerline of the steering neck and ground.

Do motorcycle fork springs wear out?

(10)

Theoretically, suspension springs don’t wear out or lose their springiness

, because they never truly reach their elastic limit. But for many reasons, it’s a good idea to check race sag constantly and if you notice major changes, the spring has been over-stressed and should be replaced.

Can motorcycle forks be straightened?

Creasing: We can straighten almost any bend, but once the fork has developed a crease there is little that we can do because a crease represents a far greater degree of structural compromise. The Press:

A hydraulic press is used to straighten the forks

.

Can you ride with blown fork seals?


You should notride with a bad fork seal

for many reasons, safety being number one. A bad fork seal could leak oil onto your brake calipers, resulting in trouble decelerating and stopping the bike. That, plus poor shock absorption and an unbalanced ride makes a leaky fork seal dangerous to ride on.

What happens if your forks run out of oil?

With no oil in the forks

your bike will slowly start to rust, starting from the forks themselves

. It’s just like cancer.

How do Harley forks work?

Harley forks generally consist of

upper tubes that mount to the triple trees and lower tubes that slide over them and connect to each other via the front wheel

. Beginning at the bottom of the lower tube and working our way up, we find a BOTTOMING CUP AND damper rod.

When did Harley start showing Forks?


After World War II

, though, production was never quite the same, and the bike business was sold to Showa in 1950. Though the division stopped manufacturing the bikes in 1959, Showa continues to supply parts for Harley-Davidson today, notably its front forks.

How do I shorten my Harley fork tubes?

What size forks are on Harley breakout?

Genuine Harley FXSB Softail Breakout Black

49mm

Fork Tubes for sale online | eBay.

How long are stock Sportster fork tubes?

39mm Fork Tubes for Sportster / Dyna Narrow Glide Stock Length

24.25′′

What size are Wide Glide forks?

Fork Tubes

Stock Length Chrome 41mm

for FXST/ FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.