Showa forks???
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Showa forks???
I am new to my Lowrider and my first Harley. I purchased as the 3rd owner. 9000 miles. I noted today that the front forks are Showas. Just curious, are these common after market replacements for the Harley. Has anyone had any experience or problems with them. As the 3rd owner, I did not get a very detailed list of all the mods that were done.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
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From: Texas
Essentially two pieces make up the "fork"
Tubes and sliders (which would also include the internals)
Sliders are what the tire / brake caliper(s) / fender - attach to - what I think you are referring to..., and what has Showa stamped on it
Showa sliders are OEM
Long as you periodically rebuild the forks - sliders should be good for the life of the bike
Ghost
Tubes and sliders (which would also include the internals)
Sliders are what the tire / brake caliper(s) / fender - attach to - what I think you are referring to..., and what has Showa stamped on it
Showa sliders are OEM
Long as you periodically rebuild the forks - sliders should be good for the life of the bike
Ghost
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 12
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From: Florida
All, many thanx for the quick replies. I will be doing most of my own maintenance. I have been viewing many Youtube videos on fork seal replacement and the work appears to be a DIY without a lot of specialty tools.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
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From: Northeastern Indiana
You Tube videos will help but the best investment you can make is a Factory Service Manual if you plan to do your own servicing ... and you can find good help on here as well
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SW Ohio
Here's a link to some from 1973. Another misnomer is that Showa is/was owned by Honda at one time. Never was. To be sure, Honda is a big customer, but that's the only connection. Harley has a deeper connection to Showa than any other MC manufacturer. Showa bought the company that Harley sold the rights to produce Harleys in Japan, Rikuo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikuo_Motorcycle
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Tennessee
And yet again, your mouth outruns your knowledge.
Harley has used Showa forks since the mid 70's and prior to that, they used Kayaba forks for a few years.
The early "Harley Davidson" American made narrow glide forks were junk and when AMF acquired Harley, a couple of the things that Harley sought to improve was their forks and electrical components (their early electric starters were horrible)
They wound up using Kayaba forks for a time and then in the mid 70's went with Showa and have used Showa ever since.
They sourced their electric starters and other components from Hitachi and eventually their speedos, tachs and other gauges began being made in Japan, they continue to use Japanese electrics to this day.
Edited to add....I might not bee 100% accurate on dates and the exact progression, because I just typed that stuff from memory and didn't go look anything up.
Last edited by Greezey Rider; Jan 8, 2018 at 06:54 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Texas
It is
Seal driver - can use PVC pipe
Extra long 12mm Hex Bit Socket
Fork vise / clamp
Torque wrench
Way to accurately measure oil
Big *** socket.., for caps (forget the actual size..., 2 1/4" or thereabouts)
Ghost
Seal driver - can use PVC pipe
Extra long 12mm Hex Bit Socket
Fork vise / clamp
Torque wrench
Way to accurately measure oil
Big *** socket.., for caps (forget the actual size..., 2 1/4" or thereabouts)
Ghost