?'s about superglide vs. wideglide...
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
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?'s about superglide vs. wideglide...
I am new to all this.. just purchased an 04 superglide and dont know the major differences between the superglide front end and the wide gide front end..... what are all the diffs. and is it a worthwhile upgrade to plan for the future??? does it handle better? lengthen the wheelbase? allow more wheel options? thansks.............................tim
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Alberta
Your '04 has the same front end as a Sportster, 39mm tubes, while the WG has 41mm tubes (FLH), a bit more rake and a skinny front tire in the style of the 60's choppers...I'd have to say yours has the potential to be a better handler by a bit; but many, especially taller people, prefer the more laid back comfort of the WG riding position. You can put forewards on yours (one of my brothers did and like's em). Also, the WG places the speedo in the tank (again, 60's FLH) and the Dyna speedo/tach mounts on the riser. It depends mainly on what you expect from your bike.....
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Cruiser
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ok...............
so there are major differences... i wondered because the wide glide looks a lot longer but i thought it was in the triple trees.........didnt know the neck angle was different... what benifit is there to the larger and wider forks??? like the wide glide and the softail have???? i really like the looks of the bike now just didnt know if there were advantages to the wider front end.. ie.. better handlng better assortmentof wheels and or front end upgrades???? ..................tim
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Cruiser
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i prefer handling....
i really just want a good handling dual purpose bike.... was realy looking at sportsters but found a great deal on this bike... picked it up for a sporster price!!!! about $2500 less than what the bike books for and what i found them priced for on ebay and criags and local...........tim
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Augusta, GA
I can testify the 49mm forks are incredibly strong as I hit an immovable object at speed, did an endo and did NOT bend the forks.
Never saw anything like it. Got some deep gouges on the sliders but the tubes are straight and good as new from what I can tell.
There really isn't any advantage to the wide front end except for the visual appeal. More substance per se. AFAIK...
Never saw anything like it. Got some deep gouges on the sliders but the tubes are straight and good as new from what I can tell.
There really isn't any advantage to the wide front end except for the visual appeal. More substance per se. AFAIK...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
I put a wide glide front on my 05 superglide custom. Did it strickly for looks. personally I can not tell a difference in handling. the triple trees have 2ş rake in them.
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Cruiser
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so
if i found a great deal on a wider front end, then go ahead and buy it? what all front ends and triples will work?................tim
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: Alberta
Before the super glide came out in the early seventies, the only big twins were FLH's. When all the tin was stripped from the front forks, extended tubes were added and a skinny front tire put on you had what we now see on the Wide Glide...ie: the trees from the FLH were "wide" and were used on choppers in the day before 5285 aftermarket catalogs full of bolt on stuff. No handling advantage; just history.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
No. The Dyna has it's own style of fork stop. Also you will need to consider the front wheel fitment. If you find a dyna front fork then buy it and you will need to replace the axle, front wheel, and bearings. Also older models have a different caliper for the brake so that can be an issue as well.