Dropping the forks on a wide glide
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 9
From: Arizona
Dropping the forks on a wide glide
I am putting on some ring led turn signals that are billet aluminum and slide over the fork tubes to install. That means dropping the fork tubes just a little from the upper tree.
Before I do that, I wanted to check in with the experienced. I know I lift the front end off the ground (I have a bike jack). I see, on my 08 Train, there are bolts on the backside of the lower tree to loosen. Do I undo the big bolt on top of the upper tree on each side, or no? I also see a big mother of a Phillips head on the side of the upper tree (pinching the tube in place?). What is the best way to take that dude loose? And how tight does all that have to be when I go back together? Is good and tight good enough, or torque specs needed?
Thanks!
Before I do that, I wanted to check in with the experienced. I know I lift the front end off the ground (I have a bike jack). I see, on my 08 Train, there are bolts on the backside of the lower tree to loosen. Do I undo the big bolt on top of the upper tree on each side, or no? I also see a big mother of a Phillips head on the side of the upper tree (pinching the tube in place?). What is the best way to take that dude loose? And how tight does all that have to be when I go back together? Is good and tight good enough, or torque specs needed?
Thanks!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
You have to take the big nut off of the top of the fork tubes. This is the access to fill the tube when you do a fluid change, but it also helps hold the fork in place. Then loosen the pinch bolts on the backside of the lower tree. This will allow the fork tube to slide down.
The screws on the outside of the top tree don't need to be touched. Those are just filler screws for the holes that you'd mount a windscreen to or small signals or something, they don't touch the fork tube.
The screws on the outside of the top tree don't need to be touched. Those are just filler screws for the holes that you'd mount a windscreen to or small signals or something, they don't touch the fork tube.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,762
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From: north jersey
You have to loosen the bolt on top of the trees on each side. Those are screwed into the top of the forks themselves.
As far as the pinch bolts yes you have to loosen those as well. I would definitely follow torque specs on both of those when you go put it back together. That is just me though.
I don't see there really being an issue if you don't though. Your fork tubes won't come sliding out when you're going down the road.
As far as the pinch bolts yes you have to loosen those as well. I would definitely follow torque specs on both of those when you go put it back together. That is just me though.
I don't see there really being an issue if you don't though. Your fork tubes won't come sliding out when you're going down the road.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
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From: Detroit
Are we talking about a Wideglide like the title says? 06 or newer?
If so, the fork tubes will slide right out if you loosen the four pinch bolts on the upper and lower trees. No need to touch the cap on top of the fork. Measure how far the tubes protrude from the upper tree before you move them, so you can put them back in the same place.
Off the top of my head, torque for those bolts is about 40 ft/lbs. Check that in the manual for your year though.
If so, the fork tubes will slide right out if you loosen the four pinch bolts on the upper and lower trees. No need to touch the cap on top of the fork. Measure how far the tubes protrude from the upper tree before you move them, so you can put them back in the same place.
Off the top of my head, torque for those bolts is about 40 ft/lbs. Check that in the manual for your year though.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Are we talking about a Wideglide like the title says? 06 or newer?
If so, the fork tubes will slide right out if you loosen the four pinch bolts on the upper and lower trees. No need to touch the cap on top of the fork. Measure how far the tubes protrude from the upper tree before you move them, so you can put them back in the same place.
Off the top of my head, torque for those bolts is about 40 ft/lbs. Check that in the manual for your year though.
If so, the fork tubes will slide right out if you loosen the four pinch bolts on the upper and lower trees. No need to touch the cap on top of the fork. Measure how far the tubes protrude from the upper tree before you move them, so you can put them back in the same place.
Off the top of my head, torque for those bolts is about 40 ft/lbs. Check that in the manual for your year though.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 9
From: Arizona
Thank for the input!
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
You'd already explained the NightTrain, so I went after the WideGlide.
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There is the Dyna Wide Glide, then there are the wideglide front ends that are on the softails. Same front end I believe, hence the same name. Since it's a night train, then I assume he was referring to the stock softail wideglide front end.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
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From: Centennial, CO
Thank for the input!
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Thank for the input!
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
The bike is a 2008 Night Train.
So, the bolts on the lower tree for the pinch point, and the big nut on top of the forks? I have a few days of work before I dive off into it.
The ring led blinkers I am putting on should look pretty slick. I am pumped.
Thanks.
Recon I should start a thread with pics?
That's all it takes. Nothing else!
Then go to the night train pic thread and show us the finished product cause I'm thinking of going to the LED rings as well!