Can someone tell me what the allen bolts are for on bottom of forks? Im lowering front and cant get the allens free...do they have to be removed? Also having them powdered. Thanks

 

If your having them powdered then yes. There the seat pipe bolts you have to have a long 12mm allen. Break them loose while the tubes are still in the trees.

 

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those bolts hold the *bottom pipe*

if you are powder coating, yes they do have to be removed.

they can sometimes be very stubborn.

you may need a powerful impact, mine were really tight.

my bottom pipes screws acted like they did not want to let go.
Had to get violent. Beat the **** out of em, relentlessly,
before they cried uncle and let go.
Last time I had to hit anything that hard, smoke came outta their ***,
and I seen stars orbiting around their head.
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Yes to come out.
On my 1998 road king they were 6mm hex but i have been informed that your model is different.
May wish to consider having new replacements available since they get beat-up sometimes in the removal process.
Need an extra long socket type hex/allen.
A really good quality one and an impact is suggested.

 

An air impact should knock them loose with ease.

 

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12 mm. I made my long reach.

cut down a 12 mm allen wrench

then inserted into 12 mm socket..............
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They are definitely 12mm. I got a set of hex head impact sockets from Harbor Freight for 28.99 (-25% off) and they just BARELY fit. I will probably have to figure something else out for install though so I don't chew up the powder coat right there...

As for their tightness. My cheapo Husky impact (rated at ~80lb/ft) didn't have that hard of a time breaking them lose...

 

Thanks for replies. Im hoping I didnt screw up by not breaking them loose before taking them out of trees. I guess at this point a vice is my bedt option. Do I just break loose or take all the way out?

 

As long as you haven't taken the cap off the tubes your fine. If you take the pressure off the seat pipe will just spin. And yes you need to take them all the way out. There's a good video on YouTube that shows how to take the sliders off. Also mud did a good write up

 

Take them all the way out. You should consider replacing them too. Not that expensive