Wide Glide Front End
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
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From: Georgia
Wide Glide Front End
I have a 2001 Dyna Low Rider. I want to change the front end to a wide glide front end with dual front brakes, i'm leaning towards a inverted 58mm front end but would like some advice on what name brands you guys have used and like or dislike. Which you would recommend or would stay away from. I've been looking at complete front ends on Hawg Halters, KC internationals, Demon Cycles, and a few other websites, I'm curious about the DNA and Ultima brands because of the price, but am worried about the quality. Please fill me in on any insight you may have and pics would be most appreciated.
Last edited by cyberizzy; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:21 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 27
From:
Take this for a grain of salt due to me not having experience with there conventional forks but rather there springer. If I was looking for a coventional front end like your describing I would look into American Suspension. I have there Dragon Springer and the quality is top notch and I would expect the same in there other forks.
I would guess they cost a good bit more then the DNA set ups though. But that said I found my dragon springer vendor from e-bay and ordered directly from him with a discount from MSRP.
http://www.asforks.com/ or here http://www.bikebuildersbible.com/forks/inverted/p7.htm
This is who I worked with http://stores.ebay.com/americanmotorcyclemarketing
Have fun with your project and here is to a smooth quick assembly, Cheers.
Josh
I would guess they cost a good bit more then the DNA set ups though. But that said I found my dragon springer vendor from e-bay and ordered directly from him with a discount from MSRP.
http://www.asforks.com/ or here http://www.bikebuildersbible.com/forks/inverted/p7.htm
This is who I worked with http://stores.ebay.com/americanmotorcyclemarketing
Have fun with your project and here is to a smooth quick assembly, Cheers.
Josh
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
American Suspension
Thank you for the post,
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I've been educating myself on the Dragon Springer ever since your earlier post. I had seen the dragon springer before but had not given it much consideration due to the fact that it was so expensive. Your post changed that, after reading your post and seeing the price from your guy on ebay, I decided that the dragon was within my grasp. I've been calling around to find someone local with experience with them and was a dealer with American Suspension so that I could order threw them if possible. Nothing against your guy I just try to do this whenever I can just in case there are customer service or fitment issues so that I have someone I can see eye to eye and in person while trying to resolve any problems that may arise.
Any way, to the point. My guy after calling American Suspension to inquire about the Dragon Springer with a +9 rake and +6 length was told by American Suspension that the Dragon Springer would not fit my bike which is an 2001 Dyna Low Rider. As you can imagine I was pretty put out over this news being I have seen this front end on a Dyna, yours.
So, my questions.
1. Do you know of any differences between our bikes as it may would relate to the front end?
2. Did you have to make any changes to the frame or neck in order to use the Dragon?
3. Do you have any clearance issues with the triple trees or bars trying to hit your tank, or limited turning radius?
4. What rake and length front end did you buy?
I'm kinda thinking that the problem (if my guy isn't lying to me) may just be the rake that I'm asking for. but part of me believes that if that were the only problem, surely the salesman from American Suspension would have pointed this out instead of just saying that it wont work...
Your input is most appreciated.
Izzy
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I've been educating myself on the Dragon Springer ever since your earlier post. I had seen the dragon springer before but had not given it much consideration due to the fact that it was so expensive. Your post changed that, after reading your post and seeing the price from your guy on ebay, I decided that the dragon was within my grasp. I've been calling around to find someone local with experience with them and was a dealer with American Suspension so that I could order threw them if possible. Nothing against your guy I just try to do this whenever I can just in case there are customer service or fitment issues so that I have someone I can see eye to eye and in person while trying to resolve any problems that may arise.
Any way, to the point. My guy after calling American Suspension to inquire about the Dragon Springer with a +9 rake and +6 length was told by American Suspension that the Dragon Springer would not fit my bike which is an 2001 Dyna Low Rider. As you can imagine I was pretty put out over this news being I have seen this front end on a Dyna, yours.
So, my questions.
1. Do you know of any differences between our bikes as it may would relate to the front end?
2. Did you have to make any changes to the frame or neck in order to use the Dragon?
3. Do you have any clearance issues with the triple trees or bars trying to hit your tank, or limited turning radius?
4. What rake and length front end did you buy?
I'm kinda thinking that the problem (if my guy isn't lying to me) may just be the rake that I'm asking for. but part of me believes that if that were the only problem, surely the salesman from American Suspension would have pointed this out instead of just saying that it wont work...
Your input is most appreciated.
Izzy
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
One thing to keep in mind, your Low Rider shares the same frame with pre-06 Wide Glides, which means you already have 32* rake in the frame.
I just bought the Hawg Halters Trees with 4* rake to give me a total of 36*, same as 06+ Wide Glides. Have not installed yet, but I am very pleased with the quality and the fact they are Made in the USA. Hope to install them in the next day or 2, started dissasembly tonight. Also bought the hidden internal fork stops to keep everything clean.
I just bought the Hawg Halters Trees with 4* rake to give me a total of 36*, same as 06+ Wide Glides. Have not installed yet, but I am very pleased with the quality and the fact they are Made in the USA. Hope to install them in the next day or 2, started dissasembly tonight. Also bought the hidden internal fork stops to keep everything clean.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 27
From:
Thank you for the post,
Any way, to the point. My guy after calling American Suspension to inquire about the Dragon Springer with a +9 rake and +6 length was told by American Suspension that the Dragon Springer would not fit my bike which is an 2001 Dyna Low Rider. As you can imagine I was pretty put out over this news being I have seen this front end on a Dyna, yours.
They definately mount up
So, my questions.
1. Do you know of any differences between our bikes as it may would relate to the front end?
Like mentioned above the rake at the neck is a couple degree's different. But that said it should work on your bike.
2. Did you have to make any changes to the frame or neck in order to use the Dragon?
No permanent changes made to neck. I did have to make spacers so the bearing races didn't sit so deep in the neck. Some may grind/cut the neck down but in this case the triple tree shaft was long enough to just space the races.
3. Do you have any clearance issues with the triple trees or bars trying to hit your tank, or limited turning radius?
There is a hidden race stop that either came with the kit or I had included when I purchased the springer. No issue hitting the fuel tank but turning radius is effected. This is only noticed when trying to do a U turn or other tight turn. Regular riding is uneffected.
4. What rake and length front end did you buy?
To keep geometry in check you will need a 0 offset tree with no added rake. As for length I ordered it in the same length as my original forks which at this time I do not recall total length. They ship them long by 2" or so to have the tubes cut to length by installer. So if you order a 48" long front end it comes 50" long roughly.
I'm kinda thinking that the problem (if my guy isn't lying to me) may just be the rake that I'm asking for. but part of me believes that if that were the only problem, surely the salesman from American Suspension would have pointed this out instead of just saying that it wont work...
Your input is most appreciated.
Izzy
Any way, to the point. My guy after calling American Suspension to inquire about the Dragon Springer with a +9 rake and +6 length was told by American Suspension that the Dragon Springer would not fit my bike which is an 2001 Dyna Low Rider. As you can imagine I was pretty put out over this news being I have seen this front end on a Dyna, yours.
They definately mount up
So, my questions.
1. Do you know of any differences between our bikes as it may would relate to the front end?
Like mentioned above the rake at the neck is a couple degree's different. But that said it should work on your bike.
2. Did you have to make any changes to the frame or neck in order to use the Dragon?
No permanent changes made to neck. I did have to make spacers so the bearing races didn't sit so deep in the neck. Some may grind/cut the neck down but in this case the triple tree shaft was long enough to just space the races.
3. Do you have any clearance issues with the triple trees or bars trying to hit your tank, or limited turning radius?
There is a hidden race stop that either came with the kit or I had included when I purchased the springer. No issue hitting the fuel tank but turning radius is effected. This is only noticed when trying to do a U turn or other tight turn. Regular riding is uneffected.
4. What rake and length front end did you buy?
To keep geometry in check you will need a 0 offset tree with no added rake. As for length I ordered it in the same length as my original forks which at this time I do not recall total length. They ship them long by 2" or so to have the tubes cut to length by installer. So if you order a 48" long front end it comes 50" long roughly.
I'm kinda thinking that the problem (if my guy isn't lying to me) may just be the rake that I'm asking for. but part of me believes that if that were the only problem, surely the salesman from American Suspension would have pointed this out instead of just saying that it wont work...
Your input is most appreciated.
Izzy
They make a brake/fender mount combo that is pictured on my front end and there sight. Works well and looks good too. But there are other options out there that would allow using the original brake caliper or other styles too.
Hope that helps you out, sorry about side tracking you
Cheers,
Josh
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Tx
You might want to take a look at Jireh Cycles. Searching here showed a lot of happy people. I have a set of 39mm Ultima forks with hidden axles on the way for $250, new. Best prices I've seen anywhere.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
One thing to keep in mind, your Low Rider shares the same frame with pre-06 Wide Glides, which means you already have 32* rake in the frame.
I just bought the Hawg Halters Trees with 4* rake to give me a total of 36*, same as 06+ Wide Glides. Have not installed yet, but I am very pleased with the quality and the fact they are Made in the USA. Hope to install them in the next day or 2, started dissasembly tonight. Also bought the hidden internal fork stops to keep everything clean.
I just bought the Hawg Halters Trees with 4* rake to give me a total of 36*, same as 06+ Wide Glides. Have not installed yet, but I am very pleased with the quality and the fact they are Made in the USA. Hope to install them in the next day or 2, started dissasembly tonight. Also bought the hidden internal fork stops to keep everything clean.
Thank you for the input and information. I had not realized that there was a difference in the rake between the 01 and the 06. Hawg Halters is on my list of companies that I am looking into. In fact Hawg Halters is local to me here where I live and I actually drove past there place of business today while I was at work, but didn't have time to stop in. They have a 41mm front end that I am considering, but right now I'm really focusing on the dragon springer, if I can get my confidence level up on weather or not it will be easily compatible with my bike and if I have the ability to properly install it myself, if the dragon springer falls threw as an option then I guess I'll have to regroup and look more heavily at other options, but for right now I'm trying to get all the info I can.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
wow, $250.00 does sound good, I'll call them tomorrow to get a price quote on their springer front end and the inverted one they carry also, just in case I cant get brave enough to go for it on the dragon springer...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Thank you for the input and information. I had not realized that there was a difference in the rake between the 01 and the 06. Hawg Halters is on my list of companies that I am looking into. In fact Hawg Halters is local to me here where I live and I actually drove past there place of business today while I was at work, but didn't have time to stop in. They have a 41mm front end that I am considering, but right now I'm really focusing on the dragon springer, if I can get my confidence level up on weather or not it will be easily compatible with my bike and if I have the ability to properly install it myself, if the dragon springer falls threw as an option then I guess I'll have to regroup and look more heavily at other options, but for right now I'm trying to get all the info I can.
A small difference, the pre-06 WG and LR had 32* in the neck, difference in the 2 was the WG has 2* rake in the trees as well, the 06+ WG only, has 34* in the neck and no longer shares the same frame as the LR.
While I love the look of the Springer front end, never enjoyed riding them as much as the Dyna. Good luck with your project.