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I (as well as others I'm sure) appreciate the updates. I try not to be an "armchair quarterback",
but I do have to ask - since you have a basically "brand new" Harley/Showa front-end, are you
going to ditch the springer & keep the Showa ?
I (as well as others I'm sure) appreciate the updates. I try not to be an "armchair quarterback",
but I do have to ask - since you have a basically "brand new" Harley/Showa front-end, are you
going to ditch the springer & keep the Showa ?
Inquiring minds....
Thanks!
T.
We'll see what plays out with the springer, but there is a high likelyhood I will just keep the showa forks on there for a few reasons. One, I feel like this situation was a bit of a close call. Second, the new setup is a lot quicker than I expected and I feel limited with the springer as to how it handles especially when you really get on the throttle. Third, I don't want to tear everything apart again. Lastly, I really want strong fork stops. You don't realize how important those are until the ones you have are not up to the task. Basically, I think this bike has outgrown the springer. If we can get the springer worked out maybe it will be the start of a new project. Hardtail maybe. I do have an extra motor and a ton of other parts. Or I might sell it. Or maybe just lean it against the wall in my house. It is a beautiful piece.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Aug 24, 2025 at 07:10 PM.
I am hoping the seals on the new front end are still good. It was new in the box but who knows when it was actually purchased. Probably a long time ago. The only way to check is to pull it all apart which I don't feel like doing, so I am just gonna fill it up and hope for the best. Easy enough to fix after the fact if they do. Hopefully I'll be back on the road next weekend.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Aug 24, 2025 at 08:22 PM.
Looks like the Wilwood front brake on my springer is the same one for the stock narrow glide as well. Sweet. Looks like everything will swap over to the new front end.
I sure was wrong on this one. Basically nothing swaps over. Turns out the springer setup I have used the Pre-2000 Wilwood brake. Also, I want to ditch the dogbone riders since the standard front end has bushings. Everything is ordered. And now we wait.
Not being a metallurgist the first question would be how did the design evolve with the resultant rod size. To me turning that rod down looks to give a point of weakness.
The MoCo spring rod assembly isn't turned down smaller before the thread is cut.
Not being a metallurgist the first question would be how did the design evolve with the resultant rod size. To me turning that rod down looks to give a point of weakness.
The MoCo spring rod assembly isn't turned down smaller before the thread is cut.
Depends. It would add weakness when applying force from the side but strength when pushing directly down which is when the rod would want to flex. Adding the thickness and shoulder seems to make sense in that regard. There souldn't be any side load but in this case there was for some reason.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Aug 26, 2025 at 05:58 PM.
Well I finally I got it all together and rewired. Put in some std progressive springs while I was at it. Swapped the risers for some shorter ones and I think I did alright considering I have never actually seen a complete front end for these bikes before a few weeks ago. It's always had a springer since I bought it. That service manual is gold. I'm off to the boat races in San Diego till Sunday so the rest will have to wait. I took monday off to finish it up and go for a ride.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Sep 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM.
I was comparing pics of the springer/stock front end and I thought it was interesting how much they de-raked the springer to put the wheel in the stock position.
I also have to say that the stock front end (at least with progressive springs) is way smoother and stops WAY better. I had the GP310 on both setups but the GP310 with the stock setup is so much better.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Oct 22, 2025 at 01:03 PM.
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