Shortening fork tubes
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 107
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Shortening fork tubes
Being vertically challenged I need my Fatboy lowered at least an inch. I have a progressive drop in lowering kit in the front now with Ricor intiminators. Front end is way to harsh. My thought is to cut 1" to 1 1/4" off the top of the fork tubes to lower the front of the bike. (Forks by Frank will cut them and re-thread for the plug for $40.00). It seems that this would lower the front and still give me the full fork travel, rather than putting in a lowering kit that reduces fork travel. Anybody have any thoughts on this pro or con? Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Just drop the trees on the tubes.
Loosen everything up and lower where the triples bolt onto the forks by 1". Yes that means that your tubes will stick up 1" more from the top triple, but its a hell of a lot easier than cutting and retapping the fork tubes.
Also, this will change your rake slightly.
Ditch that lowering kit, it will ride like dogshit.
Progressive springs...I don't like them on these bikes, and swapped mine for a set from Racetech (straight .90kg/mm rate springs) and the difference is 3-4x better at least. Not even a fair comparison.
Loosen everything up and lower where the triples bolt onto the forks by 1". Yes that means that your tubes will stick up 1" more from the top triple, but its a hell of a lot easier than cutting and retapping the fork tubes.
Also, this will change your rake slightly.
Ditch that lowering kit, it will ride like dogshit.
Progressive springs...I don't like them on these bikes, and swapped mine for a set from Racetech (straight .90kg/mm rate springs) and the difference is 3-4x better at least. Not even a fair comparison.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Good idea !
Just drop the trees on the tubes.
Loosen everything up and lower where the triples bolt onto the forks by 1". Yes that means that your tubes will stick up 1" more from the top triple, but its a hell of a lot easier than cutting and retapping the fork tubes.
Also, this will change your rake slightly.
Ditch that lowering kit, it will ride like dogshit.
Progressive springs...I don't like them on these bikes, and swapped mine for a set from Racetech (straight .90kg/mm rate springs) and the difference is 3-4x better at least. Not even a fair comparison.
Loosen everything up and lower where the triples bolt onto the forks by 1". Yes that means that your tubes will stick up 1" more from the top triple, but its a hell of a lot easier than cutting and retapping the fork tubes.
Also, this will change your rake slightly.
Ditch that lowering kit, it will ride like dogshit.
Progressive springs...I don't like them on these bikes, and swapped mine for a set from Racetech (straight .90kg/mm rate springs) and the difference is 3-4x better at least. Not even a fair comparison.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
It's a Fatboy. The forks butt up into the triple trees from the bottom and are held in place by a bolt that goes through the top of the tree. No way to slide the tubes up. You are right about the drop in kit. It does ride like dogshit that's why I'm exploring other options. Thanks for your input.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
My plan is to go with the race-tech springs and the modified intiminators. See
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...rk-better.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...rk-better.html
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 512
From: Getzville New York
dont fatboys run 18in. wheels what about a swap for some 16in wheels expensive but it would set the bike an inch lower or run the shotgun shock and set to the height and firmness also expensive but what aint
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: IA
Being vertically challenged I need my Fatboy lowered at least an inch. I have a progressive drop in lowering kit in the front now with Ricor intiminators. Front end is way to harsh. My thought is to cut 1" to 1 1/4" off the top of the fork tubes to lower the front of the bike. (Forks by Frank will cut them and re-thread for the plug for $40.00). It seems that this would lower the front and still give me the full fork travel, rather than putting in a lowering kit that reduces fork travel. Anybody have any thoughts on this pro or con? Thanks
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