48 front end on a Nightster/Iron? What is needed?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
If he uses the 48 triple trees and his old forks the 48 axle will not work. Nobody makes an axle that would work in that configuration. He would either have to have an axle made or use 48 forks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
Now if he went with the vulcan kit then yeah...............he wouldnt need all that.
You know thats another option........sell the 48 triples you bought and use that money for a vulcan kit
You know thats another option........sell the 48 triples you bought and use that money for a vulcan kit
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
I would agree that it would be better to stop now and go with the Vulcan. He has not even made it to the point of a wheel assembly yet...the 48/mid combo of H-D uses an oddball wheel hub which he still doesnt have. Using the Vulcan kit he can use any 2000-up wheel which can be found dirt cheap.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
The triple tree determines the axle length Rog, not the lowers used. As far as I know all late model Sportsters still use 39mm assemblies and there is minimal difference in lowers.
I would agree that it would be better to stop now and go with the Vulcan. He has not even made it to the point of a wheel assembly yet...the 48/mid combo of H-D uses an oddball wheel hub which he still doesnt have. Using the Vulcan kit he can use any 2000-up wheel which can be found dirt cheap.
I would agree that it would be better to stop now and go with the Vulcan. He has not even made it to the point of a wheel assembly yet...the 48/mid combo of H-D uses an oddball wheel hub which he still doesnt have. Using the Vulcan kit he can use any 2000-up wheel which can be found dirt cheap.
The first is a regular sportster lower and axle. See how the spacer shoulder just sticks through the fork.
Now a 48 axle on the same fork leg, the spacer shoulder is nowhere near coming through.
The next 2 pics you can see the differences in width and offset.
So the triples may determine the center to center positioning of the forks but not each forks width and total width between the 2.
This is also why a wideglide kit from vulcan would not work as supplied on my 48.........the axle wouldnt work. Now I fixed my issue by swapping the forks from my 883 to my wideglide kit 48........boom...........vulcans axle now works
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 45
From: Stockbridge GA
And Bighill dont feel bad about it turning out to be a lot more than you thought. This process started with me wanting a 16X3 spoked mag wheel for the front of my 48. I thought it would be as simple as making some spacers. Pfffftttt. A wideglide kit, custom wheel spacers, custom rotor spacer, different forks, different fender and turning my 883 into a hybrid 48 and Im still not done
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
Sadly I predict there will be an investment of over $1200 by the time it is finalized. It could have been done for half that amount without all the headaches with just a little research. 
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton, FL
ROG, thanks for help. I'm going to head to Harley tomorrowand talk to my friend down there and see what its going to cost to get this thing rapped up. I feel like at this point your going to be right with the Vulcan wide glide kit. It would be better to sell the the 48 trees and use that money toward a vulacan kit.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 10
From: St Louis, MO
ROG, thanks for help. I'm going to head to Harley tomorrowand talk to my friend down there and see what its going to cost to get this thing rapped up. I feel like at this point your going to be right with the Vulcan wide glide kit. It would be better to sell the the 48 trees and use that money toward a vulacan kit.
Your dealer might accept a return of those parts for a restocking fee.
I kept my 48 trees and bought a 3/4" mid glide axle from Vulcan.
I already had a wheel built by Buchanan Spoke, using Blackline rim & billet mid glide hub. (about $850 total)
The Vulcan axle is made for a narrow glide hub...
I'm determined to make it work.
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