Question about changing fork lowers
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,104
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From: Indiana
Question about changing fork lowers
I am going to (maybe) change my lower fork legs and cans on a 2004 FLHT. It has the cartridge in the forks. Does anyone know what specialty tools I will need and any helpful hints or problems to expect while doing this. Thanks for the advice.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,997
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From: Somewhere in NE PA
The toughest part of the job IMO is getting the fork tube caps on and off. There are some pretty inexpensive one man operation kits for this however I have yet to purchase one. Basic hand tools will get the job done. Ohh and you will need a long 6mm allen wrench/allen socket for the left tube.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Somewhere in NE PA
Good tip.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Sledge, only the left fork has the cartridge. Rather than concern myself with the tools necessary for that job, I pulled the forks, carried them to a local HD store, and had them do the 50K mile service. I then reinstalled the forks in my '04 EG.
If you don't already have one, do yourself a favor and buy the HD Service manual for your bike.
Personally, I considered swapping out the parts and installing the Road King left fork, (which others have done), but didn't because I believe there is a reason why HD (went to the expense to) put a different left fork on the EG and RG, than the fairingless RK's in '04.
I also considered swapping out the parts in my forks and replacing them with the '06 version and nixed this idea for cost reasons.
Good luck with your project.
If you don't already have one, do yourself a favor and buy the HD Service manual for your bike.
Personally, I considered swapping out the parts and installing the Road King left fork, (which others have done), but didn't because I believe there is a reason why HD (went to the expense to) put a different left fork on the EG and RG, than the fairingless RK's in '04.
I also considered swapping out the parts in my forks and replacing them with the '06 version and nixed this idea for cost reasons.
Good luck with your project.
Last edited by Harleypingman; Nov 4, 2008 at 05:31 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,112
Likes: 40
From: Boise Idaho
I pulled the legs on mine and took them to my local INDY they only charged me an hours labor to change everything, I did a lowering kit and chrome lowers.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
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From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
Can't speak about the cartridge as I have an 06. Built a seal tool out of split pvc pipe. Read the manual and it was easy. My Son-In-Law and I did it in a few hours, just don't forget to re-install the lower drain screw prior to filling up the forks! ;-) Ask me how I know!!! Oh yeah, don't drink beer while doing this! Refer to previous sentence!
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,104
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From: Indiana
Do you know what this minor parts list consists of because I would like to ditch the cartridge and put in progressive springs. I ahve been told this can be done and that this cant be done. Thanks