Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fork tubes or fork tube extensions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 03:17 AM
  #1  
newjack66's Avatar
newjack66
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PERTH
Default Fork tubes or fork tube extensions

Hi all

I have been researching this topic and am undecided. Any advice from forum members will save me time, 'hopefully' money and maintain safety.

Attached is a photo of my 2005 FXST softail. I have a 2 inch DK Customs lift kit, mini apes & 1 inch lower rear.

Can I maintain the stock tree & raise the front by 2 inches to give the bike more of a classic chopper look.

I have seen 2 & 3 inch fork extensions used on Honda Furys to great effect.

But are tubes safer?

I like to do my own work as well. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Attached Thumbnails Fork tubes or fork tube extensions-02.jpg  
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 05:19 AM
  #2  
Rodzilla6's Avatar
Rodzilla6
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Default

Good morning my friend. I am like you when it comes to setting up my bike. I lowered the rear of rocker by inch and a half using prog. Shocks. Lowered and moved back seat two inches with new dg seat with saddle gel. Raised my tank two inches with dk lift kit. I put a progres. Front spring kit in the front for 90 dollars. One of the best and cheapezt upgrades i did. Took one hour to install. The front kit made the bike ride much better, handle better And eliminated two inches of sag in the front end!!! The stock springs are not good (being kind here...lol) and do not have enough strenght to keep the front up and in the correct position.
I would change them first.
Next, i have another bike with two inche fork extentions and they work just fine, if you can find them...i have been lokking for my rocker and have not comexacross them...
I also have been looking into getting into new, longer front forks, but it not simple, pricey and very limited vendors...
After chaging the front springs and eliminating two inches of sag, its not a top priority...my hd mechanic buddy, measured the front height before and after...two inches higher with the new spring kit!!! In the front.
Good luck and ride safe.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 05:44 AM
  #3  
newjack66's Avatar
newjack66
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PERTH
Default

Originally Posted by Rodzilla6
Good morning my friend. I am like you when it comes to setting up my bike. I lowered the rear of rocker by inch and a half using prog. Shocks. Lowered and moved back seat two inches with new dg seat with saddle gel. Raised my tank two inches with dk lift kit. I put a progres. Front spring kit in the front for 90 dollars. One of the best and cheapezt upgrades i did. Took one hour to install. The front kit made the bike ride much better, handle better And eliminated two inches of sag in the front end!!! The stock springs are not good (being kind here...lol) and do not have enough strenght to keep the front up and in the correct position.
I would change them first.
Next, i have another bike with two inche fork extentions and they work just fine, if you can find them...i have been lokking for my rocker and have not comexacross them...
I also have been looking into getting into new, longer front forks, but it not simple, pricey and very limited vendors...
After chaging the front springs and eliminating two inches of sag, its not a top priority...my hd mechanic buddy, measured the front height before and after...two inches higher with the new spring kit!!! In the front.
Good luck and ride safe.
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like your setup would work well for me. Your right about the front springs they are average lol.

Ive tracked down a couple of vendors on eBay that sell 2 inch extensions. About the 70 us dollars for billet items.

Tubes are pretty pricey especially to ship them to Australia. But if I get the springs changed then that might be cost effective if it gives me a lift and improves handling.

Cheers for your ideas.

Darren.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 09:33 AM
  #4  
AK47's Avatar
AK47
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 651
Likes: 2
From: Calgary AB
Default

Try forking by frank, i looked into doing the same thing for a while. Prices are not that bad shipping might kill ya though.
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 10:28 AM
  #5  
Rodzilla6's Avatar
Rodzilla6
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Default

Forks by Frank - That's who I would use also if going with new forks...Highly recommended...
Ps I used SE heavy weight fork oil also...
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 06:11 PM
  #6  
newjack66's Avatar
newjack66
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PERTH
Default

Originally Posted by AK47
Try forking by frank, i looked into doing the same thing for a while. Prices are not that bad shipping might kill ya though.
OK thank you will do.

Cheers
 
Reply
Old Jul 31, 2014 | 06:12 PM
  #7  
newjack66's Avatar
newjack66
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PERTH
Default

Originally Posted by Rodzilla6
Forks by Frank - That's who I would use also if going with new forks...Highly recommended...
Ps I used SE heavy weight fork oil also...
Yep will look him up now.

Found these on ebay emailed the guy said they would fit stock trees and tubes on my Softail.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131243240318...84.m1423.l2649
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
titleist07
Sportster Models
17
Sep 15, 2015 06:18 PM
SwiftyBKells
Softail Models
5
Dec 29, 2012 07:38 AM
09DynaRyder
Dyna Glide Models
13
Mar 19, 2010 11:56 AM
Koppster
Dyna Glide Models
2
Feb 3, 2008 12:11 PM
slugo
Softail Models
8
Oct 24, 2006 08:51 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 PM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE