I have read every post I can find on the wide glide conversion and all seem to be after production year 2006. It looks like in 2003 the lowrider and wideglide had the same degree of rake but different diameter tubes. Are there any options besides going to an aftermarket kit like accutronix? I was thinking I could go with an all new HD front for the 2006 or newer. Also I am worried about the trail figures. If I were to add rake in the trees I move below 4 in a hurry. I really would like to add 3 degrees but don't know. Is there any advantage going to a new model front end besides the heavyer tubes?

 

In addition the the older WideGlides being 41mm to our Low Riders 39mm forks, they are also much longer. I beleive 4 inches longer. Do you just want wider forks on your Low Rider? Thats a simple swap. My kit was $329 complete from Jireh. If you want simple raked trees, are you going to add the rake and not the longer tubes. Thats gonna lower the bike a bit. Not huge, but noticable. Explain all the details of what you want. Longer tubes, wider/fatter tubes, more rake, ect...

 

I would like to rake the front end out but not extend the tubes. Will move to 21" wheel in future. Get rid of the current headlight setup.

I have a shop with a Accutronix 39mm kit that would not fit the customer he order it for that will install complete for $550.

Is a trail figure of 3.75 too low?

 

So if all your talking about is a 3 degree Wide Glide conversion for your bike and a 21 inch wheel, that would seem fine. Yes, 4 inches of trail or better is optimum, but it sounds like you checked already and will be at 3.75. plenty of people run that and it seems to never be an issue. Your still well within the positive numbers. I would feel completely safe on that setup. I thought about raked trees on mine, but my descision came down to economics. I found a cheap zero degree kit and went with it. I probablly should have went three as I think it might have wound up looking better on my particular setup. But too late for me now. Post pictures for us lurkers. Speaking just for myself, I think it will look great.

 

I’d get some accurate Harley specs on this. If the Wide Glide and Low Rider frames have the same steering head rake then the numbers should work out pretty much the same going with a Wide Glide front end. The most important variable would be fork tube length.

 

Thanks for the input. When done I will pics.

 

You are right on the frames, CampusJack.

I have checked my 2003Dyna Models parts catalog and found this:

2003 FXDL and FXDWG have the 32 degrees rake frame;

2003 FXD, FXDX and FXDXT have the 28 degrees rake frame.


FXD2003Rider