anti-dive
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2,574
From: NC USA
I imagine some might disagree, but they do ride nice, for my style anyway...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Since your system is gone with plugs in the top of your forks, maybe the previous owner took out the anti-dive and changed out the springs with airless ones, like from a Softail or something... who knows? You'd have to take them apart to tell... probably not worth the effort until you need to.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Yep! I've learned a lot here, and a lot from reading my Clymer shop manual and other stuff. I had no idea the anti-dive system even existed until I started reading my manual... I wanted to change out my handlebars for some pullbacks, but then found out that my choices are a bit limited because of my handlebar air reservoir. I wouldn't want to give up the anti-dive system on my bike... I think it's way too heavy to go without it.
Stage I
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: canisteo ny
am i doing something wrong
i have a 1986 clasic that ive had the forks rebuilt twice,the first time was last fall and again this spring they are still leaking. i think its the anti dive thats leaking and not the forks. can that be rebuilt too or can it be taken off all together
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Todd, the anti-dive stuff is all mounted at the top of the forks, above the top triple-tree. It certainly can be taken off. But what is leaking? If you mean oil is getting past the seals, the anti-dive will have no affect on that sort of leak.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: southern ohio
My front forks would never hold air, 91FLHS.. Last summer I put apes on, and just plugged the hose to trap whatever air it could. This spring, I removed the entire anti-dive system. I replaced the tubes with softail units and used my same lowers. (Got the tubes complete, 20.25 inches long, with all hardware, new for $139.00 on E-bay.)
I am more than happy with the way it rides. I thought about trying to make it work, with a resovoir for the air, rebuild the legs, and replace all the seals. I'm glad I just went ahead and got rid of it. You have a lot more room under the instrument cluster wit the anti-dive removed. You do not have to bother the ign. switch, at least I didn't. I don't have a fairing.
I wouldn't give up on the anti-dive if mine had always worked and I was sure exactly what was wrong. Mine had never worked since I got the bike.
I am more than happy with the way it rides. I thought about trying to make it work, with a resovoir for the air, rebuild the legs, and replace all the seals. I'm glad I just went ahead and got rid of it. You have a lot more room under the instrument cluster wit the anti-dive removed. You do not have to bother the ign. switch, at least I didn't. I don't have a fairing.
I wouldn't give up on the anti-dive if mine had always worked and I was sure exactly what was wrong. Mine had never worked since I got the bike.
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: ky
96 ultra classic
i have a 1996 ultra classic and it has the air resevior in the handlebars but im wanting to go with apes. i saw where you said it can certainly be removed i was wondering if you could explain to me how to remove this if at all possible. thanks
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Removing the air system requires partly dismantling the batwing, to get to the tops of the fork legs, and to do that you really need a copy of the factory service manual. It's not difficult to do, but is quite involved. To get a measure of the parts involved use this website, to see the exploded diagrams for your batwing, handlebars, forks and air control system.
The cleanest thing to do is remove all the manifold and pipework, which will require two screws, to blank the threaded holes in the fork caps. Alternatively buy replacement solid caps.
You will probably find that the forks don't work very well, with no air in them. The least you should do is replace the fork springs with, I suggest, Race Tech single rate springs, which you can match to your weight. They will compensate for the lack of air assistance.