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Best I can tell (I found a pair on Ebay that match) these are FXR forks, but I really don't have a clue.
They came on a basket case '91 883 sportster that I bought for a chopper project.
I bought the bike mostly sight unseen for $200 & i was expecting regular, non adjustable, 39mm forks.
I want to lower the front end by 3 or 4", but I'm loathe to start ripping into these if they're something a bit more special/better/valuable/collectable.
Other than some yellowing to the lacquer & a couple of god awful, gaudy emblems glued to them, they're in great condition.
If they are FXR forks, could anyone tell me if they're built like regular forks (separate spring & damper rod) or are they a 'cartridge' style?
Those are cartridge type forks. They were offered on the 1200 S Sportster and FXDX Dyna models. They are nothing but you want to cut up or chop.
^ What he said. Showa cartridge forks with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping. Those are probably worth some money to anyone looking for an upgrade to their standard non-adjustable forks. I had a 2000 FXDX and those forks worked great
Last edited by Far 3ast; Jun 15, 2025 at 11:48 PM.
Does anyone know of its possible to lower them a couple of inches? Not cut or shorten the legs & not just drop them through the trees....
I was wondering if it's possible to clip the springs & just lower the ride height? I've done it with several other sets of 'normal' forks (cut spring, replace cutoff section with lighter weight so it doesn't top out with a bang) but I've never even been inside cartridge forks before.
I checked out the parts diagram, but it's not obvious from that what's going on inside the damper assembly.
Does anyone know of its possible to lower them a couple of inches? Not cut or shorten the legs & not just drop them through the trees....
I was wondering if it's possible to clip the springs & just lower the ride height? I've done it with several other sets of 'normal' forks (cut spring, replace cutoff section with lighter weight so it doesn't top out with a bang) but I've never even been inside cartridge forks before.
I checked out the parts diagram, but it's not obvious from that what's going on inside the damper assembly.
Anything is Possible...anyone can make 300 dollar forks into 100 dollar forks..Sell 'em...Buy what ya Want, Buy beer with left over $$$
Does anyone know of its possible to lower them a couple of inches? Not cut or shorten the legs & not just drop them through the trees....
I was wondering if it's possible to clip the springs & just lower the ride height? I've done it with several other sets of 'normal' forks (cut spring, replace cutoff section with lighter weight so it doesn't top out with a bang) but I've never even been inside cartridge forks before.
I checked out the parts diagram, but it's not obvious from that what's going on inside the damper assembly.
Leave them be. If you don't like the way they are, sell them to someone who will appreciate them.
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Can anyone ID these forks please?
