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Hey All, I'm thinking about putting an FX front end on my Softail but I'm not sure if I want a Mid Glide or a Wide Glide. The thing is the Headlight and the front panel seem to act like an Air deflector and put most of the wind on my head and neack. So after riding and hour my neck gets real sore.. I have noticed on my 2013 Dyna that I don't have this issue at all and am thinking it's because the front end is open. Any thoughts on this? So I have a 2000 up FL front rim that I will use in the swap but an FL front end is 9.5" on center which is right in between the Mid and Wide glide front ends @ 8.5" and 10". I also do want to go 2" over to pick up the front a tad but am not sure on which trees to use. I'm not too comfortable with the WG, I think it might be too wide but on the same token am thinking the MG might be a little too narrow for the Softail. If any one has pics and info as to why they made the swap, I would be very interested in hearing what you have to say.. Thanks...
i didn't think of this when you and I were talking but, all the new "softails" pretty much all have mid glide front ends. The major difference being that they are 49mm tubes though
i didn't think of this when you and I were talking but, all the new "softails" pretty much all have mid glide front ends. The major difference being that they are 49mm tubes though
The fenders mounts are different as well but what I noticed between my 98 Softail and my 2013 Dyna is the distance between the upper and lower tree is greater on the Dyna by a 1/4". Not sure if that would make a difference but I really don't want to change too much..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Oct 18, 2021 at 11:26 AM.
Can you take the "tins" off of your Fatboy front end to confirm your theory? Run her naked for a while to see if it does what you think it will.
Then I would just do a Progressive Suspension spring kit to lift the front up the desired 2".
Just some thoughts.
Hey Bill, I did think of that but the head light is so damn big do you think it would make a difference? Maybe this week I'll do it.. Or maybe I'm just looking for a reason to switch things up.. lol...
Actually I did put in some heavy progressive springs and also made the plugs a 1/2" over the suggested length..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Oct 18, 2021 at 12:07 PM.
i didn't think of this when you and I were talking but, all the new "softails" pretty much all have mid glide front ends. The major difference being that they are 49mm tubes though
have always been curious to the thought of the newer open mid glide front ends with the chunkier 49mm tubes would be a nice change on my old Fatboy, but doubted they were at all interchangeable easily.......WG look too wide imo
have always been curious to the thought of the newer open mid glide front ends with the chunkier 49mm tubes would be a nice change on my old Fatboy, but doubted they were at all interchangeable easily.......WG look too wide imo
I have been contemplating that idea but would have to do a new fender plus caliper.. The thing that has me worried is the length of the steering stem.. I think it's too long for the older neck and cups..
Can you take the "tins" off of your Fatboy front end to confirm your theory? Run her naked for a while to see if it does what you think it will.
Then I would just do a Progressive Suspension spring kit to lift the front up the desired 2".
Just some thoughts.
So I did take the tins off and am awaiting the 2" fork extensions along with a Sportster headlight.. should be here this week.. So here's a pic of the naked front end till parts arrive.. I actually had some seal covers left over from another kit to protect the slider seals..
Can you take the "tins" off of your Fatboy front end to confirm your theory? Run her naked for a while to see if it does what you think it will.
Then I would just do a Progressive Suspension spring kit to lift the front up the desired 2".
Just some thoughts.
My Thoughts...a stripped Heritage front end is essentially an FXWG.. without longer tubes...which is great for me...
Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy
So I did take the tins off and am awaiting the 2" fork extensions along with a Sportster headlight.. should be here this week.. So here's a pic of the naked front end till parts arrive.. I actually had some seal covers left over from another kit to protect the slider seals..
With the 5" headlight it will be Cool...
BTW My Youngest put an FX Springer on his Older Slightly Stripped Heritage... http://www.amraonline.com/BikePics/Matt%27s%20Sp.jpg
Not secure because we do Not need E-Commerce...why pay for it???
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