'84 FL Fork Conversion Question
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
'84 FL Fork Conversion Question
Buddy has a '84 (might be '83) FL.
He hates that big banana caliper hanging off the front of the left fork.
I also believe that's a 2 piston caliper.
A 10" rotor, I believe.
3/4" axle.
Anyway...he wants to install a more modern setup.
Can he install a newer set of 3/4" axle lowers using his existing fork guts?
Change the caliper to a newer HD caliper for 11.5" rotor?
Change his 10" rotor to a 11.5" rotor using his stock wheel?
I'm thinking this can be done.
I believe the forks are 41mm allowing him to use the more modern forks.
Any input?
Thanks!
He hates that big banana caliper hanging off the front of the left fork.
I also believe that's a 2 piston caliper.
A 10" rotor, I believe.
3/4" axle.
Anyway...he wants to install a more modern setup.
Can he install a newer set of 3/4" axle lowers using his existing fork guts?
Change the caliper to a newer HD caliper for 11.5" rotor?
Change his 10" rotor to a 11.5" rotor using his stock wheel?
I'm thinking this can be done.
I believe the forks are 41mm allowing him to use the more modern forks.
Any input?
Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Seen pics of a couple of shovels that have been converted as you describe...complete change out of front end. Can be done but I would add that in all the pics the front end seems to "stick out" more. And it has got be be expensive for all the parts.
What about adding Performance Machine components? Not cheap but the best on the market IMO and a heck of a lot better than even modern day MoCo brakes
www.performancemachine.com
Ran them on a 96" pan front and rear. They worked well for me. Have a nice clean look to them as well.
What about adding Performance Machine components? Not cheap but the best on the market IMO and a heck of a lot better than even modern day MoCo brakes
www.performancemachine.com
Ran them on a 96" pan front and rear. They worked well for me. Have a nice clean look to them as well.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
Can be done, but the fork tubes must also be changed out. HD went to the dual removable bushings in 84 up. My opinion is that besides the better brakes, the newer forks ride nicer with the dual bushings. I believe he can keep the same trees though.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 23
From: East of Tulsa
This came from a BK Rider ad on eBay.
41 mm Fork Tubes
1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length.
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Our fork tubes won't work on some FLT models 2002-later use cartridge damper on the left side.
41 mm Fork Tubes
1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length.
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Our fork tubes won't work on some FLT models 2002-later use cartridge damper on the left side.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
This came from a BK Rider ad on eBay.
41 mm Fork Tubes
1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length.
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Our fork tubes won't work on some FLT models 2002-later use cartridge damper on the left side.
41 mm Fork Tubes
1984 & later 41mm fork tubes are all the same with the exception of total length.
FLT 1984-1996 22-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Our fork tubes won't work on some FLT models 2002-later use cartridge damper on the left side.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Sawdust City
Yep it will.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
the biggest problem with the banana caliper is that it rattles. In 1984 they came out with a good repair for that. It's a wire that lifts the caliper. You can find the part number easy enough.
Not a great idea to start raping a vintage motorcyle
Not a great idea to start raping a vintage motorcyle
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,099
Likes: 51,358
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I've been hitting the local indy shops and picking up the 2000 and up pull off parts real cheap . Got a set of lower legs and both dual piston calipers to fit the 11.5" rotors for $60 last week . They will fit any 41mm tube back to 82 I believe . Pick up the 1" axle and have a local machine shop turn it down to 3/4" to fit your wheel . Done a few works rather nice on the cheap . You can use about any wide glide tree's they are all 41mm I've put a set of 2002 legs and tubes on a 73 FLH direct bolt up and was 100% improvement on the ride & braking and used the old cowbells and nacelle .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jan 3, 2011 at 06:06 AM.
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