Upgrade to FXDX front end?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
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From: poway
Ugh, I cant settle on what I want to do. Im torn between just getting stiffer springs for about $100 or going with the Öhlins Nix 22 cartridges. The isssue Im having is finding the right part numbers. Ive found Fxd 1991-2016 but clearly theres a huge variance in the circumference and length in those years...seems like a hassle to try to get the right measurements. I wish there was just a quick link for 2001 FXDX (which at stock length is +2 anyway right?)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
Which dude?
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
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From: Nor Cal
I don't think Ohlins has a 39mm NIX22 for the length of tubes you would want to run
Those are definitely mag nicer wheels.. I really haven't found any others I care for except the old PM Chicane wheels. Hard to find in 5.0-5.5 x 18. The only problem is with the Roadster wheels is that the rear is only likely 3.5 inches wide and the fattest tire you can probably run on it is a 160. It would be great if it were 5.0 to 5.5 inches wide for a 180 tire.
Ugh, I can’t settle on what I want to do. I’m torn between just getting stiffer springs for about $100 or going with the Öhlins Nix 22 cartridges. The isssue I’m having is finding the right part numbers. I’ve found “Fxd 1991-2016” but clearly there’s a huge variance in the circumference and length in those years...seems like a hassle to try to get the right measurements. I wish there was just a quick link for 2001 FXDX (which at stock length is +2” anyway right?)
i'm still on the fence about nix22 because i'm still waiting on odc to serve up something raked, i'm super happy with the odc front end. there are issues with them tree clamp locations and clearance under the lower trees for custom tees but, overall great!!!
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 855
Likes: 156
Im going to rant here about a few different thoughts...
A) holy f-k Im so frustrated with this front end- it seems to be the best of the best (stock anyway), but NO ONE knows **** about it and it seems like more trouble than its worth. I could service regular spring forks myself- drain from the bottom, fill from the top. This whole yank everything out with special tools, rebuild...bleh. Ive got a little over 40k miles and I got my bike without abt 11k miles on it. Clearly its time, hell maybe its the orintinal oil still. But god damn they dont make it easy....
B) I called 3 Indys to try to PAY for this service. One said I think I have the tool somewhere, but one guy just had a groin surgery and were kinda backed up and...ehhh Im probably going to pass because its a headache. Ok. They referred me to a sport bike Indy that does Showa forks. Cool. Called them- oh yeah I can do that...whats FXDX? Kawasaki? No...harley. Oh yeah. I dont do Harleys.
Just for ***** I called H.D. to hear what kind of gnarly rape job they wanted to do on the labor hours. The guy says yeah I think we can get you in, just need fluid right? I said yeah essentially, but its an FXDX with cartridge forks. Ok, is that different than all the rest?. I hung up on him.
C) I love this bike, best one Ive had, but are we fooling ourselves? Are we convincing ourselves that these 17 year old, 20 year old, 30 year old bikes are the best thing that MoCo has put out because were stubborn? Maybe these new Softails blow my old Harley out of the water. Again, I love the bike, but seriously ready to just trade up because I literally cant find any alternative for the front aside from some multi thousand dollar inverted junk or change to 49mm...and if thats the route I go why change this 2001 into a wide glide front in? Just a pig with makeup on pretending to be a new Dyna.
A) holy f-k Im so frustrated with this front end- it seems to be the best of the best (stock anyway), but NO ONE knows **** about it and it seems like more trouble than its worth. I could service regular spring forks myself- drain from the bottom, fill from the top. This whole yank everything out with special tools, rebuild...bleh. Ive got a little over 40k miles and I got my bike without abt 11k miles on it. Clearly its time, hell maybe its the orintinal oil still. But god damn they dont make it easy....
B) I called 3 Indys to try to PAY for this service. One said I think I have the tool somewhere, but one guy just had a groin surgery and were kinda backed up and...ehhh Im probably going to pass because its a headache. Ok. They referred me to a sport bike Indy that does Showa forks. Cool. Called them- oh yeah I can do that...whats FXDX? Kawasaki? No...harley. Oh yeah. I dont do Harleys.
Just for ***** I called H.D. to hear what kind of gnarly rape job they wanted to do on the labor hours. The guy says yeah I think we can get you in, just need fluid right? I said yeah essentially, but its an FXDX with cartridge forks. Ok, is that different than all the rest?. I hung up on him.
C) I love this bike, best one Ive had, but are we fooling ourselves? Are we convincing ourselves that these 17 year old, 20 year old, 30 year old bikes are the best thing that MoCo has put out because were stubborn? Maybe these new Softails blow my old Harley out of the water. Again, I love the bike, but seriously ready to just trade up because I literally cant find any alternative for the front aside from some multi thousand dollar inverted junk or change to 49mm...and if thats the route I go why change this 2001 into a wide glide front in? Just a pig with makeup on pretending to be a new Dyna.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Nor Cal
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
Pull them off and send them to Racetech.. They can set them up for you.. Heck Bet Howard of MM can also.. I've had the forks apart a few times.. They are not that hard to work on. I made a tool to compress the spring but it's not hard to do it with a buddy. All you need is a U shaped clip to slide under the nut on the damping rod.