Wide Glide Front End on Lowrider
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I looked into using the same front end from DNA for an FXD. A shop in town told me that the front end was for an older softail and the wheels on the older softails were off center just a little bit. This may be were you are getting the wheel being off. The wheel should be centered but the caliber may need to be shimmed. The mechanic most likely put on the caliber then centered the rotor in the caliber which makes the wheel off centered. The wheel should be centered first then shim the caliber as needed. Hope this helps.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
I would take the brake caliper off and then with the front end elevated spin the front tire. If it rolls perfectly centered (no side to side runout) then I would reattach the caliper (which I have never seen mounted to the outside of the fork mounts) and spin the wheel again looking for any runout issues. It almost sounds like the brake caliper is pulling on the rotor due to the incorrect mount position. Just my opinion. (sounds like I would be looking for a new "tech" if I was you)
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
Got it back and took it to a local custom bike builder. The wheel is dead center as is the rotor in the caliper. New mechanic said it looked fine upon visual inspection but can't ride now due to bad weather by us. The plan is to ride the bike and make adjustments from there. We really didn't see a lean to the tire but we'll know for sure once we get it rolling down the road.
If there are any issues, he's just going to remove the wheel and install it from scratch.
On a positive, it looks better than I expected. It has a 3 degree rake, 2 over. Ordering it was kind of a shot in the dark because I wasn't sure how the rake would look, but it's perfect for what I was looking for. Here is a pic as it sits, headlight being installed today by new mechanic (needed a piece fabbed because the headlight was a bit long and hitting neck).
If there are any issues, he's just going to remove the wheel and install it from scratch.
On a positive, it looks better than I expected. It has a 3 degree rake, 2 over. Ordering it was kind of a shot in the dark because I wasn't sure how the rake would look, but it's perfect for what I was looking for. Here is a pic as it sits, headlight being installed today by new mechanic (needed a piece fabbed because the headlight was a bit long and hitting neck).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Got it back and took it to a local custom bike builder. The wheel is dead center as is the rotor in the caliper. New mechanic said it looked fine upon visual inspection but can't ride now due to bad weather by us. The plan is to ride the bike and make adjustments from there. We really didn't see a lean to the tire but we'll know for sure once we get it rolling down the road.
If there are any issues, he's just going to remove the wheel and install it from scratch.
On a positive, it looks better than I expected. It has a 3 degree rake, 2 over. Ordering it was kind of a shot in the dark because I wasn't sure how the rake would look, but it's perfect for what I was looking for. Here is a pic as it sits, headlight being installed today by new mechanic (needed a piece fabbed because the headlight was a bit long and hitting neck).
If there are any issues, he's just going to remove the wheel and install it from scratch.
On a positive, it looks better than I expected. It has a 3 degree rake, 2 over. Ordering it was kind of a shot in the dark because I wasn't sure how the rake would look, but it's perfect for what I was looking for. Here is a pic as it sits, headlight being installed today by new mechanic (needed a piece fabbed because the headlight was a bit long and hitting neck).
How about some full side shots so we can see the rake?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
Rode it home, was only able to get it up to 55-60 but it seems just fine. It pulls to the left a little when braking hard but new mechanic said the caliper bracket is the culprit and nothing to be consernded about... pretty minor. Only solution for that is get sliders for a 00-newer or get a caliper for a 99 and older.
I'm actually glad I had to go through this because I was able to find one hell of a mechanic who is reasonable as hell. He re-ran the cables (first mechanic ran them over and through the triple trees), made a polished bracket to fit the headlight, pulled back my highway pegs so my short legs could reach them (drilled a new top hole and reinstalled)... All to the tune of $75. And he's a nice guy on top that.
The pics don't do the bike justice, very overcast day with rain on the way but here is the finished product (very happy!)
I'm actually glad I had to go through this because I was able to find one hell of a mechanic who is reasonable as hell. He re-ran the cables (first mechanic ran them over and through the triple trees), made a polished bracket to fit the headlight, pulled back my highway pegs so my short legs could reach them (drilled a new top hole and reinstalled)... All to the tune of $75. And he's a nice guy on top that.
The pics don't do the bike justice, very overcast day with rain on the way but here is the finished product (very happy!)
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
My story didn't end so happily but I waited until the end to post... After about 30 miles I started to hear a clicking in the front end. I took it back to mechanic#2 and asked him to take the wheel off and start from scratch and here is where the fun begins...
While taking the fender off, the bolts had so much pressure on the that they snapped. Strange, huh.
After taking the wheel off the forks kind of "sprung apart".
The front end comes with an adjustable axle. Mechanic#1 squeezed the forks together with the axle on the shortest it would go, squeezing it in about 1.5" from where it should be. Also, the spacers he cut appear as though my 6 year old did it, jagged and crooked.
When mechanic#2 trued the wheel it was clear the rim was dropped and pounded out. Now has a bit of a flat spot but wheel was salvagable.
Wheel was floating between the forks which caused a nice gouge on my rotor from rubbing on the fork.
So the fix, with a few extras that were not needed but wanted:
heavier fork fluid (SE harley)
Correct spacers and axle lenght
Drill out broken bolts from the fender mount
Bought a chrome caliper ('99-older) and threw away caliper adapter
True the rim and remount and balance tire
Now I'm confident it is correct. Mechanic#2 has called me twice making sure I'm happy with the work. Also said if I have any issues, just let him know. But for a project I thought would cost $650-700 I'm into it a grand total of $1500... still not bad for a new chrome wide glide front end.
I guess the moral of the story is just because someone went to one of the Harley schools doesn't mean they know what the hell they are doing.
Once we get a nice sunny day, I'll get a good pic and post it. Nothing but rain in the forcast for beautiful Appleton, WI.
While taking the fender off, the bolts had so much pressure on the that they snapped. Strange, huh.
After taking the wheel off the forks kind of "sprung apart".
The front end comes with an adjustable axle. Mechanic#1 squeezed the forks together with the axle on the shortest it would go, squeezing it in about 1.5" from where it should be. Also, the spacers he cut appear as though my 6 year old did it, jagged and crooked.
When mechanic#2 trued the wheel it was clear the rim was dropped and pounded out. Now has a bit of a flat spot but wheel was salvagable.
Wheel was floating between the forks which caused a nice gouge on my rotor from rubbing on the fork.
So the fix, with a few extras that were not needed but wanted:
heavier fork fluid (SE harley)
Correct spacers and axle lenght
Drill out broken bolts from the fender mount
Bought a chrome caliper ('99-older) and threw away caliper adapter
True the rim and remount and balance tire
Now I'm confident it is correct. Mechanic#2 has called me twice making sure I'm happy with the work. Also said if I have any issues, just let him know. But for a project I thought would cost $650-700 I'm into it a grand total of $1500... still not bad for a new chrome wide glide front end.
I guess the moral of the story is just because someone went to one of the Harley schools doesn't mean they know what the hell they are doing.
Once we get a nice sunny day, I'll get a good pic and post it. Nothing but rain in the forcast for beautiful Appleton, WI.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Well that sure explains why it looked canted. I would send the repair bill to the first mechanic.
Glad you got it all squared away.
Glad you got it all squared away.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Florida
After having my bike at the dealer and a local indy a couple of times, I've gotten to the point where I just prefer to work on it myself. A good shop manual goes a long way as well.
The first major project that I did was to rebuild the front end. Went really smoothly and I have the piece of mind that it was done with patience, slow and true. It is a bit nerve racking getting out on the bike not having full confidence in your work, but its really not rocket science.
Anyhow, its nice to get to know your bike inside and out as well. The only thing that I had the shop do lately was mount my tires, and they screwed that up by gouging the sidewall of my new Metzeler 880. So again, try and do it yourself if you can.
The first major project that I did was to rebuild the front end. Went really smoothly and I have the piece of mind that it was done with patience, slow and true. It is a bit nerve racking getting out on the bike not having full confidence in your work, but its really not rocket science.
Anyhow, its nice to get to know your bike inside and out as well. The only thing that I had the shop do lately was mount my tires, and they screwed that up by gouging the sidewall of my new Metzeler 880. So again, try and do it yourself if you can.