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Fatboy to train front end.

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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 09:06 PM
  #1  
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Default Fatboy to train front end.

I see a lot of talk about putting the FL front end on the FX but very little info on putting the train front end on a fatboy, in my case a LO. I like the stripped down look of the FX front end. Anyone done this?
 
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Old Apr 28, 2013 | 09:38 PM
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From a design standpoint:

Make sure to run the smaller wheel and tire. The narrow glide front ends weren't designed to handle the stresses the large tires/wheel can put on it.

Also, the weight distribution and frame geometry may be setup differently (can't verify without further research, but seems reasonable) to account for the difference in strength and rigidity between the two.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 03:31 AM
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I don't see any reason it couldn't be done. Both bikes run essentially the same frame and same front end. The differences are mostly cosmetic. The trains don't have a narrow glide front end, they are wide glide with 41mm tubes same as the fat boy (HD now has 49mm tubes, not sure what models they've made it onto yet though). Doesn't matter what tire you run, the FX front end is every bit as strong as the FL. I run a 150 on a 16x3 wheel with absolutely no issues, and that's a bigger tire than the FL's come with stock. The train trees are raked 2*, and have 2" longer tubes IIRC, so front end geometry might be a little different than you're used to.

But, do your own research first. I don't see a reason why it couldn't be done, but you might find some info that I haven't. Good luck, and post pics or it never happened!
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 07:59 AM
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Originally Posted by jreichart
I don't see any reason it couldn't be done. Both bikes run essentially the same frame and same front end. The differences are mostly cosmetic. The trains don't have a narrow glide front end, they are wide glide with 41mm tubes same as the fat boy (HD now has 49mm tubes, not sure what models they've made it onto yet though). Doesn't matter what tire you run, the FX front end is every bit as strong as the FL. I run a 150 on a 16x3 wheel with absolutely no issues, and that's a bigger tire than the FL's come with stock. The train trees are raked 2*, and have 2" longer tubes IIRC, so front end geometry might be a little different than you're used to.

But, do your own research first. I don't see a reason why it couldn't be done, but you might find some info that I haven't. Good luck, and post pics or it never happened!
Sorry to high jack but what brand and model tire is your 150?
 
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Old Apr 29, 2013 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by brettnbama
Sorry to high jack but what brand and model tire is your 150?

It's a Metz ME880 150/80x16.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2013 | 09:16 PM
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I ended up going with a 21" on my Fatboy this year, still thinking on the 23" though.

 
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