When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
so now I am a proud owner of an early shovel, a 1967. it has what i believe to be a original front end. chrome trees have cast in part numbers, nice dual jay brake setup with 19" wheel. has forks by frank tubes but man they look marked up where the sliders ride. kinda stiff. i need to loosen everything up and try to get the stiction out of it. problem is the guy redid the front end not long ago but the seals are already leaking.
the internet has been pretty minimal in giving results on info on the early front ends. id really like to keep the original lowers because of the disc brake setup.
i want to install 2 or 4" over tubes to get a little more clearance on handling. strange enough the exhaust pipe hits on hard right corners, not left.
i have seen what i think are upgraded fork seals for the early bikes. the damper tubes on these bikes are strange. i have no idea how they work compared to most forks.
can anyone point out info on rebuilding these. im not sure if the bushings are shot and i think replacing them are above my mechanical ability.
also anyone have pictures or input on 2 or 4in over tubes. i dont want that wheelie look but i do want it sitting higher.
the part numbers I can see in the lower tree ends in 49 and he made adapters to fit the wide glide fender. upper tree definitely has pre 73 style riser mounts. as I found out looking up parts for solid mounts. guy did some trick stuff. was a machinist. the lowers are definitely early. I'm not sure if it's +2 forks already because it sits kinda low in front. he ran 20w oil in the forks. they compress fairly easy but rebound is slow. has progressive springs.
Originally Posted by johnjzjz
Its a FXWG fork - we use SAE 30 weight lawn mower oil in the forks
thank you that picture helps a lot. it's a bunch of work and money to do fork tubes and end up not liking it. your bike looks like it sits perfect.
Just enough up she levels out nicely when riding and the chicken strips have gotten a lot thinner without throwing sparks on our fun roads. You may want to find a kickstand wedge if you do longer tubes so she won't lean over so far sitting.
is yours +2? I want +2 atleast. I should put a 2x4 under my front tire and see how it looks. I'm ok with the way it is now but it's annoying how the front muffler scrapes on corners
Originally Posted by Joe12RK
FXS had 2' longer forks than FXE, looks perfect to my eyes. +6 is chopper territory, +4, IDK
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
pre 77.5 fork questions. upgrades?
You may want to find a kickstand wedge if you do longer tubes so she won't lean over so far sitting. 
