Which forks?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 40
From: Holland
Which forks?
Goodmorning,
After yet another spirited ride last night I'm well and truly fed up with the stock brakes and suspension on my 1994 FLHTC.
I know that you can swap forklegs for later types (although I don't know which ones!) so you can fit the later Brembo brakes but ideally I would like to change the complete forks so I can benefit from better brakes AND get rid of the airsuspension pogostick arrangement...
Can anybody tell me which forks I need to buy that will fit my bike?
I don't want to go the route of aftermarket calipers and that, got those for my other bikes but want to keep this one sort of stock...ish.
Thanks!
After yet another spirited ride last night I'm well and truly fed up with the stock brakes and suspension on my 1994 FLHTC.
I know that you can swap forklegs for later types (although I don't know which ones!) so you can fit the later Brembo brakes but ideally I would like to change the complete forks so I can benefit from better brakes AND get rid of the airsuspension pogostick arrangement...
Can anybody tell me which forks I need to buy that will fit my bike?
I don't want to go the route of aftermarket calipers and that, got those for my other bikes but want to keep this one sort of stock...ish.
Thanks!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Yes you can change to later fork legs but then you run into the problem of your speedo drive.
It won't fit on the later axles.
There are ways around this such as a rear wheel speedo drive or modifying your transmission to accept a speedo pickup and then changing your speedometer.
IMO you are better off changing your fork springs and getting some good aftermarket calipers.
It won't fit on the later axles.
There are ways around this such as a rear wheel speedo drive or modifying your transmission to accept a speedo pickup and then changing your speedometer.
IMO you are better off changing your fork springs and getting some good aftermarket calipers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
You know, I had the same problem. My LS400 just could not keep up with a new Porsche Carrera on a twisty mountain road. I'm thinking of swapping out the suspension, putting some seriously stiff springs and some full-on race shocks on it. Maybe some vents for the brakes and some race pads that can stand glowing disks.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
I ride a 94 ultra classic and go about 290 lbs bone dry. OL adds another 130 to the mix. I run progressive 440's on the rear and added progressive heavier springs to the front. I still have the air system on it, but only 5 lbs in it. I used the crash bar as the air reservoir when I went to taller bars on it.
I have yamaha 15 wt oil in it and it is fairly stiff, but feels very planted when riding it. Still plenty of give, but not as much drop in the front end.
Not too bad of a job to do if you have a table lift to work off of..Definitely buy one of these to do it yourself. Makes all the difference.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-F...item27dbf35cd5
Griz
I have yamaha 15 wt oil in it and it is fairly stiff, but feels very planted when riding it. Still plenty of give, but not as much drop in the front end.
Not too bad of a job to do if you have a table lift to work off of..Definitely buy one of these to do it yourself. Makes all the difference.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-F...item27dbf35cd5
Griz
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 3
From: Styxville
Intiminators and Racetech springs matched to your weight do a good job of sorting those forks out. FabKevin makes adaptor brackets to fit various better calipers to those forks too.
But I am sure there have been threads on here before about fitting the later fork legs straight on, and fitting the later Brembo calipers and rotors.
But I am sure there have been threads on here before about fitting the later fork legs straight on, and fitting the later Brembo calipers and rotors.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 534
Likes: 8
From: DeRidder, LA
cheap and easy is 2000 up legs and matching calipers. the legs are very cheap. i bought the set of calipers with the line for 95 shipped on ebay. they're in excellent shape. new seals, oil and you're done. but you'll have have to adapt a 1" axle to your wheel or go to a newer one. measure for spacers and figure out the speedo drive and you're in business
mike
mike
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
As mentioned above you can swap to later fork sliders, even change the entire fork legs, however you will not get any improvement in ride comfort or handling without changes to the internals. The stock damping devices inside haven't change significantly since our bikes were made. Intiminators and springs are an economical solution, a more upmarket one being Ohlins FKC101 cartridges (from our favourite HDF sponsor!).
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Holland
Thanks for that lads!
Thing is, I'd like to keep the stockish Harley look...so I prefer to have the later calipers than aftermarket items...
I don't mind changing the internals when I get new forks, mine are corroded anyway's and atleast I'll be rid of the leaky airsuspension...
Ohlins cartridges will be serious money I guess...?
I don't mind the rearsuspension so much, it's mainly the front and the brakes...
As for LS400 and Porsches: I don't think there's anybody here that would think the stockbrakes are up to the job even if you ride sensibly. Safety first and all that!
Thing is, I'd like to keep the stockish Harley look...so I prefer to have the later calipers than aftermarket items...
I don't mind changing the internals when I get new forks, mine are corroded anyway's and atleast I'll be rid of the leaky airsuspension...
Ohlins cartridges will be serious money I guess...?
I don't mind the rearsuspension so much, it's mainly the front and the brakes...
As for LS400 and Porsches: I don't think there's anybody here that would think the stockbrakes are up to the job even if you ride sensibly. Safety first and all that!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Steph, Ohlins now sell a cartridge specifically designed for our touring Harleys with 41mm forks. List price is a thousand dollars, but if interested contact Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal. I haven't seen them advertised in the UK, so that is who I've ordered mine from!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Thanks for that lads!
Thing is, I'd like to keep the stockish Harley look...so I prefer to have the later calipers than aftermarket items...
I don't mind changing the internals when I get new forks, mine are corroded anyway's and atleast I'll be rid of the leaky airsuspension...
Ohlins cartridges will be serious money I guess...?
I don't mind the rearsuspension so much, it's mainly the front and the brakes...
As for LS400 and Porsches: I don't think there's anybody here that would think the stockbrakes are up to the job even if you ride sensibly. Safety first and all that!
Thing is, I'd like to keep the stockish Harley look...so I prefer to have the later calipers than aftermarket items...
I don't mind changing the internals when I get new forks, mine are corroded anyway's and atleast I'll be rid of the leaky airsuspension...
Ohlins cartridges will be serious money I guess...?
I don't mind the rearsuspension so much, it's mainly the front and the brakes...
As for LS400 and Porsches: I don't think there's anybody here that would think the stockbrakes are up to the job even if you ride sensibly. Safety first and all that!
I'm curious as to what you are gonna do with your speedo drive cable.