I believe I have a set of unusually large forks on the front of my 77 xlc. something like 8 inches. I was at a bike shop in my area and the owner specializes in older bikes. He said I should consider lowering the front end because it starves the front cylinder of oil. I like the way the bike looks but if it means my engine will blow up then back down she goes. Anyone heard of this / had experience with? Oh yeah what is the stock fork length? mine is measuring 29 " from the center of the axle to the lower tree. Thanks. Matt.

 

mine. = 29 1/4 in.

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Yes, it can result in scuffing the front piston, and the cure for that, of course, is a rebore.
I recommend you just keep running the bike until it is time to fit new pistons, then buy yourself a set of standard length fork tubes.

My Sporty had 8 over tubes on it when I bought the machine in 1973 and the front cylinder became scored by lack of oil. A very knowledgeable ironhead man told me at the time that the fork tubes did the damage.
I quickly went to new tubes when I bored the cylinders in 1975.............pg

 

Thanks pinion gear. I get the feeling maybe you think the damage is already done and not to worry about it now. I am getting a little oil consumption and some smoke so you are probly right. Probly need to start looking for a factory manual huh? Appreciate the input!!

 

You are correct!.......pg