I was wondering if anybody has put a Forty Eight front end on a Nightster, Iron, or other Sporty? What all would be involved in the process? Looks like the triple trees, wheel and tire, and front fender are all that would be needed... thoughts?

 

What is the end result you want? Wider front end? Wide front 16" tire?

I ask because I'm currently working on fitting a 130/90-16 (or an MT90-16) in a stock narrow glide front end. I'm pretty sure it's do-able but if not, there are mid-glide and wide-glide trees you can get that would most likely be significantly less expensive than stock HD parts.

 

Yeah, Tiffany has always loved the way that the Forty Eight front end looked, and was curious about the conversion. How much would I be looking at for a set of WG trees and a Forty Eight style wheel? I would love to go H-D, but if there is an aftermarket that has the same affect I would be willing to go that route. I want to keep the geometry the same, and have only seen 5 degree WG trees, it this the standard for the Nightster as well?

 

By the way, she is also wanting me to slap a set of 10" apes on (yup, I am a proud man!). Will these work without extending the cables, or would it be tight?

 

I've gotten away with 8" but i think 10" will be just a little too much with the stock cables.

 

That is what I was sort of thinking. Any thoughts on the front end? Is five degrees standard for most aftermarket Nightster/Sportster kits? I would think somebody would make a stock rake kit.

 

Yeah, anything more than 3 degrees is said to be too much. Vulcan makes a nice kit that has the stock rake.

 

I will check it out, thanks! Don't happen to know what size front wheel is on the Forty Eight, do ya? I read somewhere it was a 3" wide, but that seems a little small... Nightster maybe, but not for a Forty Eight.

 

First off, you're actually looking for a mid-glide frontend for the 48. You'll need wheel/tire, spacers, axle, and fender. You'll probably have to change at least the throttle cables. Break and clutch may work. I put 1 inch risers on mine and the throttle cable stretched too far. Still works but will have to replace it. Haven't seen any aftermarket mids, but neither have I looked. You CAN put a WG front on, but thats a little wider than the 48 look you're going for. If you have a good dealer, they'll answer your questions. MAKE SURE if you ebay a wheel you get the right center. Not sure what axle your Sporty has. The 25mm and 1 inch bearings/wheels are interchangeable. The 3/4 inch bearings will work in the larger but the larger won't work in a 3/4. If you need a spoked 3/4 wheel, I've got one cheap.

I just did a WG frontend on my Street Bob. I ebayed some of my parts...wheel, fender, tree. Tree was about $225 if I remember right. Had to go to the dealer for an axle and spacers. Swapped my rotor and bearings onto the new(used) wheel I bought. Seemed like everytime I turned around U was fitting or buying something else.
Look close at the fenders and lowers. The SB and Fat Bob lowers are just different enough I had to drill the fender. HD gets you one way or the other. Also double check the brake caliper setup. You definitely don't want to have to swap the lowers if you can avoid it.

Livin' and learnin'!!
By the way, she is also wanting me to slap a set of 10" apes on (yup, I am a proud man!). Will these work without extending the cables, or would it be tight? Today 10:20 PMTennesseeMustangPerfYeah, Tiffany has always loved the way that the Forty Eight front end looked, and was curious about the conversion. How much would I be looking at for a set of WG trees and a Forty Eight style wheel? I would love to go H-D, but if there is an aftermarket that has the same affect I would be willing to go that route. I want to keep the geometry the same, and have only seen 5 degree WG trees, it this the standard for the Nightster as well?

 

Can you explain this better?