New Suspension Time
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 1,091
From: Eastern IA
New Suspension Time
I've never liked the ride on my 14 SG , got rid of the OEM air shocks after 60 miles and put the HD premium ride adjustable ones on ,new take off's for $265 at the time, it was an improvement but the front seems to be what I like even less.
After considering several options ,and reading people's reviews I gave Howard at Motorcycle Metal a call, I visited with him and ordered Ohlin #2 #2 shocks and his new 25mm adjustable cartridges for the harsh OEM front end.
They arrived about two weeks ago, been working a lot and on call lately so the install is hit and miss so far. Also have some new plugs , brake pads ,hyd clutch master cover , head bridges , and HD fork rebuild kits to install. Need to flush brake fluid while I'm at it.
After considering several options ,and reading people's reviews I gave Howard at Motorcycle Metal a call, I visited with him and ordered Ohlin #2 #2 shocks and his new 25mm adjustable cartridges for the harsh OEM front end.
They arrived about two weeks ago, been working a lot and on call lately so the install is hit and miss so far. Also have some new plugs , brake pads ,hyd clutch master cover , head bridges , and HD fork rebuild kits to install. Need to flush brake fluid while I'm at it.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
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From: Bear Flag, lower end
I've never liked the ride on my 14 SG , got rid of the OEM air shocks after 60 miles and put the HD premium ride adjustable ones on ,new take off's for $265 at the time, it was an improvement but the front seems to be what I like even less.
After considering several options ,and reading people's reviews I gave Howard at Motorcycle Metal a call, I visited with him and ordered Ohlin #2 #2 shocks and his new 25mm adjustable cartridges for the harsh OEM front end.
They arrived about two weeks ago, been working a lot and on call lately so the install is hit and miss so far. Also have some new plugs , brake pads ,hyd clutch master cover , head bridges , and HD fork rebuild kits to install. Need to flush brake fluid while I'm at it.
After considering several options ,and reading people's reviews I gave Howard at Motorcycle Metal a call, I visited with him and ordered Ohlin #2 #2 shocks and his new 25mm adjustable cartridges for the harsh OEM front end.
They arrived about two weeks ago, been working a lot and on call lately so the install is hit and miss so far. Also have some new plugs , brake pads ,hyd clutch master cover , head bridges , and HD fork rebuild kits to install. Need to flush brake fluid while I'm at it.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 9
From: Northern Illinois
I would seriously enjoy a write-up also. I have my new #3-#3's coming this week from Howard, but am already anticipating getting the fronts too, and would like to know how the install goes, and figure out if I can do it myself.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: NorCal Rocklin
The front end is hella overkill, but if you like it then go for it. Knowing that you bought KYB fork oil makes me think this isnt your first suspension job and probably have a dirtbike laying around somewhere.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
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That'll be a few hours work.
FWIW, I just pulled my forks and used the fork rebuild kit you're going to use. For fork oil, I used a 50/50 mix of H-D Type E and Screaming' Eagle fork oil. I've never installed cartridges, so the only thing I have to compare to is the way the bike rode before I rebuilt them and all I can say is the way the bike rides now is as different as night and day. Along with my Ohlins rear shocks, the bike rides so much better than before. I wasn't expecting such a drastic improvement for the better.
FWIW, I just pulled my forks and used the fork rebuild kit you're going to use. For fork oil, I used a 50/50 mix of H-D Type E and Screaming' Eagle fork oil. I've never installed cartridges, so the only thing I have to compare to is the way the bike rode before I rebuilt them and all I can say is the way the bike rides now is as different as night and day. Along with my Ohlins rear shocks, the bike rides so much better than before. I wasn't expecting such a drastic improvement for the better.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Eastern IA
I have started the work on the forks , had I got them a week sooner I was on vacation and would have had plenty of time , as it is I'll be working the next 21 days in a row , on call 24/7 so that really cuts into my time , don't be surprised if I don't post any up dates for a few days.
The first pic is what I ordered from Howard , I asked him to include oil , and tools. He gave me the option to get oil myself ( Ohlin or KYB ) or he could include it.
So while this isn't the first time I've had these forks apart I'm far from an experienced suspension guy , I can call Howard whenever I'm not sure about something, not sure how many retailers offer that kind of support after the sale.
While it may be overkill I wanted a really good front end , didn't want to spend 1/2 or 3/4's as much to be disappointed then have to spend even more to be satisfied so thats how I came to this choice.
Being it's a sexy looking Street Glide means a little more work to get at the forks than a RG. I may have done more work than necessary but I wanted to break torque on the fork caps before I pulled them out of the tree , I believe the service manual tells you to , that means there's a few things in your way.
That switch cover has 2 stubborn connectors attached even though there are no switches installed , they need to be disconnected.
The first pic is what I ordered from Howard , I asked him to include oil , and tools. He gave me the option to get oil myself ( Ohlin or KYB ) or he could include it.
So while this isn't the first time I've had these forks apart I'm far from an experienced suspension guy , I can call Howard whenever I'm not sure about something, not sure how many retailers offer that kind of support after the sale.
While it may be overkill I wanted a really good front end , didn't want to spend 1/2 or 3/4's as much to be disappointed then have to spend even more to be satisfied so thats how I came to this choice.
Being it's a sexy looking Street Glide means a little more work to get at the forks than a RG. I may have done more work than necessary but I wanted to break torque on the fork caps before I pulled them out of the tree , I believe the service manual tells you to , that means there's a few things in your way.
That switch cover has 2 stubborn connectors attached even though there are no switches installed , they need to be disconnected.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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Likes: 1,091
From: Eastern IA
While those fork caps look accessible in the above pic's they are not. The bars are right over the center of them , maybe an inch gap , no way the hex socket will even fit under them.
So I moved the fairing , rocked it forward out of the way , to clear the bars to be removed , but not before I pulled my R heated grip to move the power wire from 8:00 to 6:00 ,the throttle boss on Avons is screwed on from inside the grip so I adjusted that to a useful position , it's only been bugging 3 years now ! !
Now it's a clear shot , loosen the top pinch bolt 1st ( seen in the 1st pic just to the right and below the tape ) then just break torque on the cap and turn back lightly.
So I moved the fairing , rocked it forward out of the way , to clear the bars to be removed , but not before I pulled my R heated grip to move the power wire from 8:00 to 6:00 ,the throttle boss on Avons is screwed on from inside the grip so I adjusted that to a useful position , it's only been bugging 3 years now ! !
Now it's a clear shot , loosen the top pinch bolt 1st ( seen in the 1st pic just to the right and below the tape ) then just break torque on the cap and turn back lightly.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 1,091
From: Eastern IA
Now you can remove your front brake calipers , front wheel , and fender . There are 2 pinch bolts per side in the lower tree holding the forks in , loosen them , make sure you have a hold of the lower before loosening the 2nd one , now you can slide the fork assembly out.
I can see one of mine had started to leak , this had a new kit 18K ago , on baggers the cow bell hides this from view. These were ready for a good cleaning , oil change , and seals either way.
Now put them in a vise with soft jaws ( I used a piece of bicycle tire ) to remove the fork cap . . . . . . wait hold up . . . I forgot to do this 1st on mine, break the torque on the damper bolts in the slider , as with the caps turn them back in lightly after you crack them so they don't leak oil.
Now with the fork in the vise put your socket in then wrap a towel around the top, keep a firm grip , keep your face and other favorite body parts out of the way and remove the cap. The towel will contain the cap from flying off as it's under spring pressure , USE CAUTION ! !
I can see one of mine had started to leak , this had a new kit 18K ago , on baggers the cow bell hides this from view. These were ready for a good cleaning , oil change , and seals either way.
Now put them in a vise with soft jaws ( I used a piece of bicycle tire ) to remove the fork cap . . . . . . wait hold up . . . I forgot to do this 1st on mine, break the torque on the damper bolts in the slider , as with the caps turn them back in lightly after you crack them so they don't leak oil.
Now with the fork in the vise put your socket in then wrap a towel around the top, keep a firm grip , keep your face and other favorite body parts out of the way and remove the cap. The towel will contain the cap from flying off as it's under spring pressure , USE CAUTION ! !