When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My bike is a Softail, frame from '98 and engine from '87. As bike is new to me, and I saw some leaking, I want to change all internals to front fork, bushings & seals.
But I'm not very sure if the fork is the oem one, or is an aftermarket one.
1. What fork it is? I found some similar forks by googling, but they do not have those "bumps", highlated with blue line, in my pictures.
2. What qty of oil should I add, as in the manuals, the qty is different based on different bike models?
3. Is there a dimension from top of fork tube to the top of oil? I did not find such dimension into manuals.
Looks like you have the lower legs from the 1987 motor!!! Yes they look factory, just form an older model. Look at 80's Softails and you will see the match, good luck.
That set of 41mm lowers is original Style to FXWG, Trees too me thinks...But.. since lowers are Chromed...I'm betting aftermarket!!
Not that hard to open forks!! And, may be Only way to determine exactly what you have
If my front fork is from a FXWD model, the needed qty of oil, as per manual, is:
WET ..... 10,2 oz (301 ml)
DRY ...... 11,2 oz (331 ml)
But, what about the dimension from the top of tube to oil level? I read something about 90 mm...Does anyone use this dimension?
If the tubes are longer than stock, that dimension should be kept, as far as I know...
If my front fork is from a FXWD model, the needed qty of oil, as per manual, is:
WET ..... 10,2 oz (301 ml)
DRY ...... 11,2 oz (331 ml)
But, what about the dimension from the top of tube to oil level? I read something about 90 mm...Does anyone use this dimension?
If the tubes are longer than stock, that dimension should be kept, as far as I know...
Not "D" FXWG True Wide Glide...But..all bets are off on capacity if Aftermarket!!
Not "D" FXWG True Wide Glide...But..all bets are off on capacity if Aftermarket!!
Sorry, typing error, you are right, FXWG.
Even aftermarket, as far as I know, the distance between top of tube and oil level should be (quite) the same, regardless of oil quantity.
(springs out and tubes compressed)
This is due to the fact that the remaining air chamber is very important also into the suspension process.
Even aftermarket, as far as I know, the distance between top of tube and oil level should be (quite) the same, regardless of oil quantity.
(springs out and tubes compressed)
This is due to the fact that the remaining air chamber is very important also into the suspension process.
I guess I thought that the Damper decided how much and what weight Oil... ie the earliest Fork is Quite Different from Later stuff...tho I confess I have Never looked up the difference in Capacity! And I endeavor to Not use Aftermarket in Many Cases.
Finally I have changed bushings, seals and oil to my front fork. I think is from a FXWG '84 - '86. As you can see in pictures, the damper rods are different... probably somebody mixed them, but I think they work the same.
Into a manual (figure attached) there is a spacer (pos 6) on top of the springs, which is missing from my forks. In other manuals is stated that if the spacer is missing, the springs should be longer... but I cannot make sure that my springs are longer..
Again..Chrome Lowers O.E. Doubtful, actually a First in those years! That I have seen.
Lets see the Inboard sides of those lowers! Maybe someone spent some serious Money to have em Chromed!!
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Front fork to identify
