1989 flhtc fork tubes
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2010
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1989 flhtc fork tubes
I need some help as I have the above bike & the airbags in the suspension dont hold air in for 1 day so its like riding with dual pogo sticks. I'm looking at rebuilding the front end and I'm told I can upgrade to I think the '06 dampers that rid need for the airbags. I also don't know if the softail tubes are the same diameter (41mm) as the FLH tubes. I'm looking at getting new tubes anyways & the ones I see on Ebay describes the following:
20-1/4" 41 mm Fork Tube Assembly w/ Hardware
All tube assemblies use FXST dampers. Hard chrome, seamless tubing, center less ground. Sold as pair. 1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length. Compares with the stock lengths, it will not matter if there is a 5/8" difference (longer or shorter).
We have the following chart of stock lengths for your reference:
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
A friend said to get the '97 & later & I noticed they are shorter so I'm guessing that maybe they dont have the airbags?? If I am able to go with the shorter tubes, would I be able to use their included FXST dampers or would I have to use a different year/model dampers? I just want to make this so I can rid the use of the airbag factory setup & go with a set of tubes that will work. Looking at the chart above the originals are 2.5" approximate longer than the 96 & later, so I'm wondering if its because the airbags are accounted for in the '96 & earlier models FLH. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.
20-1/4" 41 mm Fork Tube Assembly w/ Hardware
All tube assemblies use FXST dampers. Hard chrome, seamless tubing, center less ground. Sold as pair. 1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length. Compares with the stock lengths, it will not matter if there is a 5/8" difference (longer or shorter).
We have the following chart of stock lengths for your reference:
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
A friend said to get the '97 & later & I noticed they are shorter so I'm guessing that maybe they dont have the airbags?? If I am able to go with the shorter tubes, would I be able to use their included FXST dampers or would I have to use a different year/model dampers? I just want to make this so I can rid the use of the airbag factory setup & go with a set of tubes that will work. Looking at the chart above the originals are 2.5" approximate longer than the 96 & later, so I'm wondering if its because the airbags are accounted for in the '96 & earlier models FLH. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 1,193
From: Anywhere we stop
The factory replacements are still available at HD, I just bought some. They are also cheaper at HD than anywhere else that I could find! I went with Revtech springs and gold emulators. Just replace the air bolt with a normal one and use a crush washer on it....no more air forks and you will get awesome handling with that setup. At least thats what I did.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Your front forks don't have any airbags in them, they are simply sealed and made air tight. So before you go spending big money, take a look at your forks. My 1990Glide's forks still work fine, although I don't discourage you from doing an upgrade, especially if it gives a big improvement on ride quality.
There is an auto tyre valve in the handlebar end, which I have replaced a couple of times. A rubber hose connects the bars to the forks, via a manifold mounted across the fork legs. There are several rubber seals in that assembly. Checking everything is tight, or replacing the seals, should restore everything fully functional.
Of course if you are determined to upgrade, we are keen to hear how you get on!
There is an auto tyre valve in the handlebar end, which I have replaced a couple of times. A rubber hose connects the bars to the forks, via a manifold mounted across the fork legs. There are several rubber seals in that assembly. Checking everything is tight, or replacing the seals, should restore everything fully functional.
Of course if you are determined to upgrade, we are keen to hear how you get on!
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