Are the front forks on a 03 electric classic different. I have been told that the left side has a cartridge and has to be removed to change the fluid. Someone on this forum has to have delt with this issue and can offer some info.

 

Yes, fairing models had a left cartridge fork for a few years after the air suspension setup until they changed in 06. A lot of folks have changed the left fork over to the conventional spring type to make fluid changes easier.

 

What are the supposed benefits of this mixed system?

 

...cartridges are a little more complex system...and found on racing bikes often...but on a Harley they aren't really needed..I think the Moco experimented to see if a "mixed" setup would somehow achieve an ideal balance to give it a better ride, and found that it did nothing but add cost to a bike-build.. in my opinion it was a waste of time..I have that setup in my 05..and if I chrome out the lower legs next year I will get rid of the cartridge also...