hi everyone. im new here, so please bear with me. i recently picked up an 89 springer softail thats a, ahem, fixer upper. ive resigned myself to the fact that it needs a mechanics attention to get it running, but the front end im on the fence about. the rear main fork is fine. the front leg though, is as crooked as a politician. i can get the spring guides, but my only option for a spring fork seems to be to have it straightened. any suggestions would be appreciated. ill try to post some pics

 

 

Thats pretty twisted.... may run into other fitment issues once you get it apart? I cant advise on getting it straightened, maybe you can hunt one down, Ebay, Craigslist, or on this fourm?

I take it you would also need one if you were to replace it for your FX and not the FL version.

 

Yep. Can you tell someone really didnt like the previous owner? The rod guides are bent bad, which makes it look worse than it is, and the right sides not bent. Ive checked ebay, craigslist etc. No one wants to sell the spring fork by itself. Its either buy the whole front end for more than i can afford, or buy a cheap piece of junk. Im also picking up a heritage softy front end for cheap as a temporary fix. Appreciate the reply.

 

What about welding in a new piece of tubing?

 

That front end is a boat anchor.....never try and straighten a springer fork, here is your education, one word, "TENSILE".....heat changes the properties of the metal, and there may even be a fracture you wont see with your eye. Suggestion, well for starters, there is a springer front end HERE in HD Forum,"Parts for Sale", thinkin something like "Scott the salesman" that for sale, as I myself am looking for a replacement for my Crossbones, which is a FL, unlike your FX.......and the price I believe was very reasonable, $1500. Rechrome it, install it, happy trails. Attached you will see what I am dealing with, as my Springer and a 07 Jeep had it out, hate to say it, but my bike faired better then the Jeep........Harley is a WELL built product, and I am alive to testify to that. K

We ride again.......

 

Damn Cabo, good to hear you doing well after that!

 

Yeah bro, good to hear youre okay. The friend i bought mine from wasnt so lucky. He had it out with a dodge van. Broke 5 ribs ,a leg and lost his spleen. I found the part i need on ebay for about 800. Took a lot of digging, but i found it. Theres no shortage of whole front ends out there. Im trying to avoid spending 1500.

 

Gracias Hermanos!......just a word of wise, I looked at the $650-850 Springers, MY opinion, you get what you pay for. Paughco, seems to be the word my "Brothers" are telling me is the way to go for painless install, quality, and looks better then the lesser $ Springers. That being said, here one for you, Harley said they'd sell me a replacement, ready for this $3500.00............ya o.k.......I order'd the Paughco, in black FL wide stock length, I just want to ride out of here and NOT buy more H-D stock.

 

Front forks come on ebay from time to time...install you heritage front end and sit back and be patient. The 88-92 springer looked like a dirt bike with a really high fender...that one had a fender lowering kit on it, that is no longer available...and looks like it was destroyed too...if you can find a 93 up front fork...you can mount the newer 93 up fender...which sits lower and looks much better.