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Hi Racepress,
these Wide Glide forks were available in several versions, with aluminum stanchions and with steel stanchions; the steel versions were chrome-plated, while the aluminum versions were polished.
The triple clamps speak for themselves; these replicas from that era do not correspond to the original HD triple clamps in any way and are recognizable at first glance, even up close.
We used to exclusively install fork tubes from the American company "Forking by Frank" for Harleys and other motorcycles; they were the very best quality available at the time.
Link: https://franksforks.com
It's generally known that photos are always difficult to analyze from a distance. But that's probably not the intention of the person posting; these are more fundamental questions.
And without answers, nothing will happen...
Mike
That's great, but who does this half-baked wisdom help? Nobody!
Welp...I doubt one can identify Forks Mfg by any Picture and very difficult in Person..further, ..I would Like to see an example of Aftermarket, vs the genuine FXWG Lower Legs with that style at the Fender Mount.. but..a Very Good Likeness, If So. Never even Heard of Steel FXWG Lowers.. but, those look Polished in the Photo.. The bottom tree again seems a good Likeness of O.E. but..One would need to check if the Trees are in Fact Raked, like O.E. FXWG.
For @Robtattoo All to state that the Genuine FXWG Front End is generally worth a Bit more than most .. and is worthwhile as Trading Material if one dislikes the FXWG ... more so than good ole chromed, wide, (FLH) trees. The style Bobber you want should be easily Accomplished..with the One caution.., Buy Quality components, especially in a Hard Tail Conversion, and whatever front end , especially a Springer, you choose. Some Aftermarket Springers are simply Not even Safe.. Have fun with it..
Partner the only way to tell what that started life as out of the factory is the VIN on the motor & neck, everything else can be from god knows what. That's the thing about a shovelhead it is literally the LEGO kit of the harley world.
That's at least 2' over FXWG front, from the lean maybe 4", stock tube length was 24.4", those are definitely longer. Trees and the 21" wheel look factory, you can tell OEM lowers by inside the leg between the fender tabs it should have Showa cast in there,so you can kinda guess on the over length. Lot of the aftermarket one's didn't have drain screws on the bottoms of the legs, just went through all this with one a few months back, cheap azz aftermarket repop. Decent resale potential if the calipers aren't rattled out at the bushings.
Rest of the bikes a mash up of mixed later year stuff you'll pulling off anyway. Old and monkeyed with enough the usual headaches have at least been looked at, that magtag will need some specific love to make it right and cure the common pains those had, we can talk you through that as you. I'm kinda the aftermarket and custom guy for the shovel group in here, old builder, been helping new guys to shovels sort out things very much like that one as my retirement gig. This ones going up for sale again come spring. It's 90% aftermarket. Did a widow a favor, named it Charity Case, runs good.
Hate a stock frame getting hacked up, good ones aren't common anymore, lot of crap being passed off now, but it's how it goes.
Partner the only way to tell what that started life as out of the factory is the VIN on the motor & neck, everything else can be from god knows what. That's the thing about a shovelhead it is literally the LEGO kit of the harley world.
ie post #2...but...I contend the engine Numbers tell not what the Bike came as it is an Abbreviated number from Production Closely Matched to Most Frames...But Decidedly Not a VIN! ...only what Bike that engine Came in!!
having engine match is a Plus for Most...but Not necessary if Chopping it up anyway!! ....If it was My project I would be Happy if it had an S&S Engine..
Edit; BTW @Robtattoo what is the VIN??
Last edited by Racepres; Dec 23, 2025 at 09:53 AM.
All I can say is that is Most Probably Not an Aftermarket Front end..if it is ...it is a Faithfull copy of O.E. which would be Highly Unusual..
Who knows what the Bike has been thru in the last 44 Years????
One thing I don't see is the reflector boss on the lower legs....could have been turned off as that was popular. Also, top tree looks "funny".
ie post #2...but...I contend the engine Numbers tell not what the Bike came as it is an Abbreviated number from Production Closely Matched to Most Frames...But Decidedly Not a VIN! ...only what Bike that engine Came in!!
having engine match is a Plus for Most...but Not necessary if Chopping it up anyway!! ....If it was My project I would be Happy if it had an S&S Engine..
Edit; BTW @Robtattoo what is the VIN??
I haven't actually got to see it in person yet. Between his & my Christmas, work schedule & me currently being a grand slack of his asking price, I just haven't managed to get together with it yet.
Partner the only way to tell what that started life as out of the factory is the VIN on the motor & neck, everything else can be from god knows what. That's the thing about a shovelhead it is literally the LEGO kit of the harley world.
That's at least 2' over FXWG front, from the lean maybe 4", stock tube length was 24.4", those are definitely longer. Trees and the 21" wheel look factory, you can tell OEM lowers by inside the leg between the fender tabs it should have Showa cast in there,so you can kinda guess on the over length. Lot of the aftermarket one's didn't have drain screws on the bottoms of the legs, just went through all this with one a few months back, cheap azz aftermarket repop. Decent resale potential if the calipers aren't rattled out at the bushings.
Rest of the bikes a mash up of mixed later year stuff you'll pulling off anyway. Old and monkeyed with enough the usual headaches have at least been looked at, that magtag will need some specific love to make it right and cure the common pains those had, we can talk you through that as you. I'm kinda the aftermarket and custom guy for the shovel group in here, old builder, been helping new guys to shovels sort out things very much like that one as my retirement gig. This ones going up for sale again come spring. It's 90% aftermarket. Did a widow a favor, named it Charity Case, runs good.
Hate a stock frame getting hacked up, good ones aren't common anymore, lot of crap being passed off now, but it's how it goes.
Silly question, just need a hair of clarification....
Huh...Leave it to New Blood to rename something like That!!! The Ratchet top is Most likely to be Mistaken for a Wringer Washer...In My Feeble Mind!!! Rotary top..works Just Fine... Cowpie been around Eons..even Dairy Queen is a Bit newer..And mostly disliked.. But..Maybe we Need More!!!
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