I recently installed "Bitubo" rear shocks and that helped the handling quite a bit. Next was progressive front springs and that helped even more and raised the front stance up about 1". Now I would like to install new fork seals--not because they are leaking, but to possibly find some that have less "stiction" to better absorb the smaller pavement bumps. I am pretty sure the ones in there are originals
I can put my hand on the fork tube junction while riding and tell they should be more free. Nothing is bent, correct amount of fluid, and forks travel well holding the front brake and pumping while stopped.
Is this just the nature of the beast? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Just changed the seals in mine a week ago (they were not leaking, was doing a fork upgrade) and the source of the friction might be due to HD (actually Showa) using seals with two springs (one on each side) rather than one...if you can find a single spring seal that fits that might reduce the stiction a bit. Deleting the dust seals that are installed above the fork seals might too.
Theses SKF low stiction seals MIGHT fit 39mm Sportster forks..

dimensions are at http://www.innteckshop.it/media/docu...sioniSeals.pdf
kit is for one side, about $70 for two

 

That's certainly a new one on me ! You must be a real perfectionist if you're contemplating changing fork seals that aren't actually leaking . Stiction on fork seals ? I've never heard of that being an issue but I do try to keep an open mind . I shall follow this with interest .

 

Im in the same boat, over the years I have changed fork seals, even had my fork tubes coat with the DLC to reduce stiction. Never noticed a difference. The only difference I ever noticed was they stopped leaking. Im sure it can help, weather its even enough to notice, I doubt it.

 

Not a "must do now" thing--but probably this winter I may just go a head and install cartridge emulators along with new seals. Checked "DK" and they don't show any fork seals sold separately. I am probably asking too much to get this Sporster to ride as smoothly as my other bikes. Also plugged in "my garage on Amazon" but the 39mm seals had no info and no reviews yet.

 

I like to change mine, after they leak...

 

You cant go wrong with James fork seals.

 

You can get the Sportsters to ride nice, but its going to cost you. I have rode my friends Sportster with Ohlins forks and shocks. He spent a ton of money on the suspension, and it is nice. But I have rode metric bikes with bone stock suspension that ride much nicer. Sportsters, like most Harleys just do not have the newest geometry built into the frames and components. Nothing wrong with that,. Just most buy a Harley to have a Harley for what it is, and I can live with that. But if you want something that handles like its on rails, and runs as smooth as butter, these are not them.

 

If it's any consolation I also have a 2004 Roadster and to be honest I'm learning to live with the stock suspension for now . It does astonish me that front and rear suspension can manage to be simultaneously rock hard and soft as **** . It'll happily wallow in a dip while telling me about every stone in the road !

 

Checked out the stock seals I pulled last week, they are NOK BR2722E, I measure OD at 52.1 mm, h = 11mm, so the SKF low stiction seals very likely would fit...also from what I've read these were used on many 80's Hondas so that is a good sign for compatibility too.
FWIW when I had my forks apart last week the stock seals did not seem to have all that much drag with the springs and dampers out...but some people in the MC and MTB world swear by the SKF seals and say they are well worth the big $$$ for the reduced stiction.

https://www.oemcycle.com/Item/product/900849384