Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Seized fork tubes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2015 | 10:38 AM
  #1  
RK El Guapo's Avatar
RK El Guapo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Ruckersville, VA
Default Seized fork tubes

I have a '96 Road King I am doing a ton of work to. I was preparing to install a Progressive Monotube lowering(only 1") set into my front shocks, ut the damned things are seized up. I cannot break the top loose from the fork tube! I've tried a vice + MAP heat, but no luck.

I don't think these have ever been serviced, as the bottom hex bolts were also incredibly tough to get out. I'm going to have to replace those bolts... Do you guys have any ideas as to what to do? If I am stuck having to replace them, is there a good source for factory-length fork tubes?

I've seen these DBI tubes, but I'm not convinced that they're any good. I've also read about Forks by Frank, but Frank died a while back, and it sounds like his family took over the business but haven't kept up the quality.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2015 | 12:18 PM
  #2  
GTK's Avatar
GTK
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
Default

Secure fork tube from turning.You might have to reinstall in triple clamps on bike.Then use a impact driver with the correct size socket and whack away.That should break it loose.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2015 | 01:16 PM
  #3  
sanman4ever's Avatar
sanman4ever
Club Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 329
From: Rhode Island
Riders Club Member
Default Seized fork tubes

Are you talking about the fork tube caps? If so secure the leg in the lower triple tree clap. Make sure the actual area the cap screws into isn't the part secured in the triple tree. Raise it up some. Hope that makes sense. Have your friend "spot" the bike as well as strap it to the jack while you apply presure.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2015 | 10:02 AM
  #4  
RK El Guapo's Avatar
RK El Guapo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Ruckersville, VA
Default

Yeah, I'm trying to break loose the part that actually caps off the springs. the threaded area is inside the tube roughly 1.5" - 2". I am fairly certain these damned forks have never been serviced, and the o-ring has deformed to the point of becoming like glue. On top of that, the threads are probably corroded together. This thing is holding waaaaaay past torque spec.


I'm going to try putting it back in the bottom clamp of the tree this afternoon, but I've yet to get any luck out of that method so far.


If I end up needing to replace these bastards, what's the next best option out there?
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2015 | 10:16 AM
  #5  
Architect's Avatar
Architect
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,493
Likes: 7,789
From: Long Island, New York
Default

No need to replace. As stated put back in the trees, hold bike down with straps or another person and put a breaker bar on it, they will come off. Just need to be persuaded.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2015 | 10:40 AM
  #6  
RK El Guapo's Avatar
RK El Guapo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Ruckersville, VA
Default

I finally got them broken loose, but it took a lot more heat and an even bigger hammer. Damn!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JekyllnHyde
General Harley Davidson Chat
10
Jun 12, 2019 07:31 PM
digthemlows
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Sep 8, 2015 03:26 PM
misfitJason
EVO
29
Sep 23, 2014 11:51 PM
Smokin 03
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
2
Aug 28, 2013 08:34 AM
tattoofever
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
3
May 21, 2013 07:18 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:28 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE