When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
They are the same kind of forks, but the slim has covers on the triple trees and the upper part of the sliders.
This!
I think that @Ephesians3 is confusing himself over what is or isn't telescoping or sliders.
As beefy as the upper parts of the forks looks, it's all thin covers. I think you can get the look you want without a lot of hassle, and certainly without altering your frame.
So, you're after a more FLH bobber look? If they're both 49mm tubes, the Softail tubes should slide right into your trees. Different fender mounts. Avoid the older 41mm forks; ancient design and more parts needed. I too like the looks of the earlier Duo Glide/Hydra Glide bikes, but didn't want to go the full expense of a front fork change. Did the gaiters, kept the two headlights (like 'em or hate 'em) and did put on an FLH front wheel. THAT wasn't easy, but I have professional machinist/mechanic friends. Also welded up and fitted a fat Hollywood handlebar and narrowed a used engine guard, rolled the mounts back and had it powder coated. I have a set of floorboards, but haven't installed yet...
I have a 2010 dyna fxdf and was trying to figure out if it's possible to put the softtail slim telescopic forks on it
Originally Posted by Crazy
Can you be more specific about which softail forks you're talking about?
Apologies. Either my coffee hadn't kicked in when I posted this, or you added the word "slim" when you edited. Yes, you can change the front end, lots of people have done it including me.
Originally Posted by Smiles
Aren't they both 49mm in diameter? As are more recent 48's front forks.
What exactly are you going for?
Matt
No, the '06 and up Dynas have 49mm forks, and the Slim (and Heritage & Fatboy, same as the Slim) forks have 41mm tubes. Ephesians3: We commonly refer to these as "FL front ends" but note that we aren't referring to the Touring frame FL front end, but the Softail frame FL front end.
Originally Posted by snake_eyes
So, you're talking about an FL front end on your FXD, is that right? That's basically what the Switchback ran, wasn't it? Couldn't you just swap parts? The rake on your Bob is going to be more aggressive than the laid-back setup of a Softail or the FLD so who knows about handling, and I think it'll look weird.
Also, what do you mean by "telescopic forks"? The forks on your FXDF are "telescopic" already.
The Swithchback forks are visually similar to the Softail FL front ends, but not exactly alike. If the OP could find a Switchback front end, that would be the easiest solution, as the Switchback front end is a direct swap with the other Dynas. Unfortunately, Switchback front ends are as rare as hens teeth on the used market, and REALLY expensive to source new parts. I really doubt that Harley has the new parts anymore, but maybe some NOS could be found somewhere.
Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
You mean the inverted forks on the later machines? You can make anything work, just make sure the neck and bearings are compatible and and the fork stops won't let it hit you tank.
Exactly right. If you do go with the Softail FL front end, the neck on your Dyna frame is slightly too long, and has to be ground down a bit. Also, the fork stops are built into FL trees, and will hardly let you turn the fork side to side, as the Softail frame neck is much narrower than the Dyna frame neck. You have to grind down the FL tree fork stops.
Originally Posted by Ephesians3
thats what im trying to figure out is the compatibility with out altering my frame
If you can find a Switchback front end, no alteration required. If you use a Softail FL front end, grinding is required.
Originally Posted by SwedishMeatball
They are the same kind of forks, but the slim has covers on the triple trees and the upper part of the sliders.
If you want the full covers you can change the whole front end to one from the slim, the triple trees have mounting pints for the covers. It should be a direct swap, both bikes have 1" stem and zero rake in the trees as far as I know. There might be a difference in the steering stops so there might be some modification involved.
You could also just use the lower covers without the part covering the trees, that's a quite popular mod in the jap style scene. I had thet on my previous bike, with the covers attached to the fork tubes using 3D printed hidden clamps.
Not too far from a direct swap, but grinding is required. Not too big of a deal, but it would take lots of work to go back to a standard Dyna front end if the OP decides that he doesn't like the FL front end.
SwedishMeatball, I really like your previous bike, I'm looking to do something very similar for my next project. I'm hoping to start this coming summer.
Originally Posted by Smiles
This!
I think that @Ephesians3 is confusing himself over what is or isn't telescoping or sliders.
As beefy as the upper parts of the forks looks,it's all thin covers.I think you can get the look you want without a lot of hassle, and certainly without altering your frame.
Matt
Right about the thin covers, but it may be a bit of a hassle. I've never found any that are designed for the Dyna trees and fork tubes, but that doesn't mean that they're not out there. Maybe the OP can alter some stock ones?
Ephesians3, these are the thin covers that we're talking about:
When I did my fork swap on my 07 Low Rider I decided to modify the lower fork clamp to fit the Dyna neck, instead of modifying the frame to fit the lower clamp. Once that is done the rest of the fork setup bolts on no problems. I was fortunate to have a capable machine shop at my disposal so it wasn't a big deal. Most of the parts were sourced off ebay including a takeoff front end from a 2008 fatboy.
As Crazy mentioned, if you can find an FLD front end you don't need to do any mods, just bolt it on
When I did my fork swap on my 07 Low Rider I decided to modify the lower fork clamp to fit the Dyna neck, instead of modifying the frame to fit the lower clamp. Once that is done the rest of the fork setup bolts on no problems. I was fortunate to have a capable machine shop at my disposal so it wasn't a big deal. Most of the parts were sourced off ebay including a takeoff front end from a 2008 fatboy.
As Crazy mentioned, if you can find an FLD front end you don't need to do any mods, just bolt it on
That's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? I guess because I have no access to a machine shop and no experience with machining?
Did you figure out a way to adapt the tins and cowbells from the 41mm Softail FL front end, or use Switchback parts, or something else?
That's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? I guess because I have no access to a machine shop and no experience with machining?
Did you figure out a way to adapt the tins and cowbells from the 41mm Softail FL front end, or use Switchback parts, or something else?
Sorry, I think I left out some info. I used all the parts from the stock fatboy forks. The picture is the modified fatboy lower fork clamp. After the lower fork clamp fits the dyna neck the upper fork clamp and fork tubes, tins, cowbells go together with no other mods. If I didn't have a buddy with the machine shop I would have just modified the neck to allow the fatboy lower clamp to fit, which is how most do it. The main challenge with the fatboy lower clamp was pressing out the stem, and the bottom neck bearing in the dyna sit a bit deeper causing the bottom of the neck to interfere with the lower clamp. That's the reason for the circular groove cut around the hole for the stem is to allow clearance for the bottom of the neck on the dyna frame. I'll see if I can find better picks of the lower clamp.
Sorry, I think I left out some info. I used all the parts from the stock fatboy forks. The picture is the modified fatboy lower fork clamp. After the lower fork clamp fits the dyna neck the upper fork clamp and fork tubes, tins, cowbells go together with no other mods. If I didn't have a buddy with the machine shop I would have just modified the neck to allow the fatboy lower clamp to fit, which is how most do it. The main challenge with the fatboy lower clamp was pressing out the stem, and the bottom neck bearing in the dyna sit a bit deeper causing the bottom of the neck to interfere with the lower clamp. That's the reason for the circular groove cut around the hole for the stem is to allow clearance for the bottom of the neck on the dyna frame. I'll see if I can find better picks of the lower clamp.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Yes, you can change the front end, lots of people have done it including me.
I guess because I have no access to a machine shop and no experience with machining?
