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.

 

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

 

What /\ he said. They’re stock.

 

H-D has used Showa forks since the 8o's when their supplier went out of business.

 

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.

 

Just a fork seal driver. Probably get that at Cycle Gear or Amazon.

 

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

 

I remember Showa suspension on Harleys earlier than that. I was thinking 1973.

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

 

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.

 

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