Any one here used fork extensions?
Yes 'tis - felt like the front end needed to be raised to match the 14" shocks. Worked a charm, heres a better pic.
Attachment 619385
Subtle difference, here it was prior to the extensions
Attachment 619386
Attachment 619385
Subtle difference, here it was prior to the extensions
Attachment 619386
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
Longer rear shocks by themselves have two effects on handling:
1) raises the center of mass - slows side-to-side transitions - but Harleys carry their weight low making it a minor effect, especially for street riding where you're not really looking for those fast rotations anyway.
2) effectively reduces rake and decreases fork trail - this is the major effect and can make the bike handle a good bit sportier.
Longer rear shock also shifts the weight forward a little, putting more braking force onto the front wheel, which would be better if you had better front brakes.
Increasing the front fork length as well to balance it like Dynakid94 has done should pretty much return the bike to stock handling.
1) raises the center of mass - slows side-to-side transitions - but Harleys carry their weight low making it a minor effect, especially for street riding where you're not really looking for those fast rotations anyway.
2) effectively reduces rake and decreases fork trail - this is the major effect and can make the bike handle a good bit sportier.
Longer rear shock also shifts the weight forward a little, putting more braking force onto the front wheel, which would be better if you had better front brakes.
Increasing the front fork length as well to balance it like Dynakid94 has done should pretty much return the bike to stock handling.
Last edited by AJ88V; Nov 21, 2018 at 08:50 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,181
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From: north of the south pole
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
From the perspective of chassis dynamics , the handling should be slightly worse.
From the perspective of hard parts touching down on pavement, you are 100% correct. Raising the bike up should help that a lot.
Done right, the Dyna could be a remarkably sporty machine. I'm amazed how frequently I've touched down on my 2003 without even trying. You've got me thinking about longer shocks for that alone!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,923
Likes: 7,012
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Two over might give you a bit of the look you want without messing up the handling too bad.
Others may advise you to go longer, like maybe 6" over for that old skool chopper look, but I'll tell you, it'll make your forks floppy (and flexy!), make slow-speed turns crappy, slow your high speed handling, increase your turning circle, and turn what was a pretty sweet ride into an absolute pig.
Just one man's opinion. You get what you pay for. Sometimes less.
Others may advise you to go longer, like maybe 6" over for that old skool chopper look, but I'll tell you, it'll make your forks floppy (and flexy!), make slow-speed turns crappy, slow your high speed handling, increase your turning circle, and turn what was a pretty sweet ride into an absolute pig.
Just one man's opinion. You get what you pay for. Sometimes less.
Talk about allowing one's self to be manipulated...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,596
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From: In My Boots
Went 4" over on 2003 low rider along with stiffer progressives on the back. The addition of a fork brace really made a difference with the fork tubes- handles awesome- can drag a knee before any parts touch down🤘
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: .
Last edited by Bob_fxdb; Nov 23, 2018 at 01:51 AM.