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Converting air forks to conventional forks?

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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 08:18 AM
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Default Converting air forks to conventional forks?
I am thinking about converting the front forks on a 98 FLHRP (Police RK) from the stock air set up to a conventional spring/oil setup like on my 07 FLHR.

Any thoughts on why I might not want to do this?

What parts would be required to do this? I have the parts book for the 07 FLHR, are the forks the same size? i.e. are the parts interchangable?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Elmo
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 08:27 AM
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IF it ain't broke don't fix it. Changed my 90 FXR over always wished I left it alone.......
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Bossman1
IF it ain't broke don't fix it. Changed my 90 FXR over always wished I left it alone.......
Why the regrets? What did it change that made you wish you had left it alone?

Elmo
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by elmosac
Why the regrets? What did it change that made you wish you had left it alone?

Elmo
I am keeping my 1990 air forks, but 'tuning' them with progressive/variable rate fork springs. I ride mostly solo but tour two up and loaded, so I adjust both ends (and tyre pressures) for those trips. If you only ride one up and won't miss adjusting your ride, you could do it.

If you do, consider fitting better grade springs, such as from Progressive. They (and others, I am fitting Hyperpro brand) make variable rate springs, which give a better quality ride. You could even consider Racetech emulators, while you have the forks apart, which improve the damping as well. But you could do all that and keep your air adjustment!

If the weather is as bad with you as it is here, you could look up Progressive and Racetech websites, even phone them up for advice on what you would like to do. You don't have to use factory parts!
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 12:54 PM
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A buddy of mine has a 95th anniversary Ultra,will that have air forks?
Also, who would do an owners manual for it?
Cheers.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverstone
A buddy of mine has a 95th anniversary Ultra,will that have air forks?
Also, who would do an owners manual for it?
Cheers.
I'm not sure what year HD stopped using the air system.

HD makes the owners manual. Not sure you stated your question right?
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 01:30 PM
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Along with my '06 SG I still have my trusty '95 E-Classic. Grew to dislike the air assist front end on that Evo and converted to spring only after 2 years of constantly checking the air in the front end - what a PITA. Have NEVER missed the air assist solo or 2-up. Likewise with the rear end. I don't know when HD changed to spring only forks but my '06 has spring only and it works fine also.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Silverstone
A buddy of mine has a 95th anniversary Ultra,will that have air forks?
Also, who would do an owners manual for it?
Cheers.
If you mean who would make an owners manual for the 98 FLHRP after I change the forks,

Honestly, ..... Who cares?

If you mean who would make a service or parts manual for it,

Again,......Who cares?

I know what I have done to the bike and what parts I would need if I ever needed to do and work on it.

If the bike were ever sold (not very likely) the bike history would be provided to the buyer.

The same question would hold true for my 07. It is far from stock, so who makes a manual for it? No one, but that doesn't mean it can't be worked on. I still use the stock service manual for most things.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Leftcoaster
Along with my '06 SG I still have my trusty '95 E-Classic. Grew to dislike the air assist front end on that Evo and converted to spring only after 2 years of constantly checking the air in the front end - what a PITA. Have NEVER missed the air assist solo or 2-up. Likewise with the rear end. I don't know when HD changed to spring only forks but my '06 has spring only and it works fine also.
What did it take to make the conversion?

Is it just a matter of replacing the fork tube plug? Do I need to replace the springs? I will probably replace the springs anyway, but am just wondering.

Thanks,
 
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