FL front ends . . .
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: Eastern North Carolina
FL front ends . . .
I've always been curious and figured this would be the place to ask. The FL front end suspensions of the touring bikes and softails - while they look similar on the outside, are the mechanics the same or totally different animals? Thank you! 
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From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Basically...yes.
As mentioned above...no pinch bolts on the top tree...but the top of the fork tubes are pulled and and held tight by the top tube cap bolt...which, when tightened...pulls the top of the tube into the rather thick top tree.
Bottom tree, and the forks...are basically similar to FX fronts otherwise. And the shrouds.headlight bezels, and cowbells just cover things visually.
As mentioned above...no pinch bolts on the top tree...but the top of the fork tubes are pulled and and held tight by the top tube cap bolt...which, when tightened...pulls the top of the tube into the rather thick top tree.
Bottom tree, and the forks...are basically similar to FX fronts otherwise. And the shrouds.headlight bezels, and cowbells just cover things visually.
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Some models have a damping tube assembly in one leg instead of a pair of springs, makes for an odd duck rebuilding or putting together a set from scratch. A few have slightly different length tubes also they rest is pretty generic aside from the the different tube sizes and they they did run the 41mm till at least 07 as I've installed a few set of those tubes & legs on old shovel trees to improve the front suspension on them.
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Not completely, depends on what year bike your talking about. 70's & 80's fronts rode rough, 90's saw improvements and 2000 and later bigger gains in comfort & control, much smoother rides. About all stock Harley fronts can use better springs from several manufactures, while better nothing stock is performance worthy.
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Sure any 2000 to 07 FL front ends , hit up the local shops and dig around their used pull off stuff. Money bags doing chromed up will leave the old stuff more times than not I got all the stuff in the picture for $150 off an 04. Depending on what year front wheel you have , you can take the stock 1" axle and have a local machine shop spin it down to 3/4" for you. Bolt up to 41mm trees and takes 11.5" rotors
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