New to the form. thanks for the add.
guys /gals. need some advice. I recently bought a 78 shovlehead ridged with a 48 springer front.
im to old to ride a ridged. just wanted the motor and drive train plus parts. I have found a mid 70"s FL frame and plan to build the bike as such. selling the 48 springer (it is really a 48) to a buddy thats building a 48 knuckle.
that being said, originality is not a concern. I'd like to put a newer front end on it. RoadKing, FatBoy, WideGlide or other just looking for good handling comfort.
what could be my options to keep the ride height proper with few required mods?
any advice would be greatly appriciated.

 

They would all bolt right up. The differences would be dual or single disc and the hardware.
Tell your buddy to go back one more year, or he'll be building a Panhead.

 

What is a 48 knuckle?

 

Late 47 on the line on the change to pans I would guess. Or a 48 using a knucklehead engine.

 

my mis speak

 

that may be what he is doing not fully clear

 

If the frame you're looking at doesn't come with a title,it's not worth 10 cents in Illinois. My advice to anyone doing a home-build is to get the paper work from sec of state before you spend the first dollar o any parts. Lot's of hoops to jump through to get it registered, titled and insured in Illinois.

 

Also in IL, even if you do have everything in order, there are major delays in processing the paperwork.
This includes Titles, Registrations, Drivers Licenses, FOID and CCW applications (new or renewal). Averaging about 5 months past expiration right now.
This state is really effed up.

 

If you have a friend in say NH, that is a licensed inspector and willing to do you a favor, there are easy ways to get a 20 year or older vehicle legit in the system that can then be registered in another state.

As to the suspension, if you can find a steering stem that fits the frame and get the right bearings, that is 90% of the battle, Then you can find a suspension you like (proper length tubes) with the triple trees and have the stems swapped. Happens all the time with older rice bikes, there are a lot of older bikes running around with upside down forks, upgraded wheels and brakes using this method