Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if a breakout or rocker front end (trees and forks in particular) would fit onto a softail standard FXST?

I want to do a 49mm conventional fork upgrade which I haven't seen before on an FXST. The gap between the trees on a rocker looks the same as a softail standard which tells me the neck length is probably the same on the frame. The distance between the top and bottom tree on a breakout however looks much larger. Anyone know if there are any differences in the necks between these softail models? Pehaps the trees are just different which explains the gap differences?

Now i know many would argue to just get a breakout or rocker, but I just love softail standards and i think this would look very different.

I understand Rockers use a mid glide tree and breakouts use a wide glide tree. I'm wondering if a set of HHI 49mm billet trees with 3 degree rake made for rockers or breakouts would bolt onto a softail standard and accomodate 49mm forks.

I've searched google to the max and cant find anything about this.

Cheers

Looking at Harley's parts store parts finder, I can't see why they wouldn't fit up. If the neck stem is differrent then it's not hard to get a machine shop to turn one up the right length. I would think you'd just use the fxst bearings if they are not the same. You might lose the neck lock feature at worst, but I would think there's be little in the way of stopping this being done if any.

As for the HHI trees, from my understanding the fxsb has a 37 degree neck with minus 2 degree trees to bring it to 35. The later model fxst has 31 neck with 3 degree trees bringing it to 34 (correct me if I'm wrong). On HHI website with the 49mm trees you have to option to select what bike its for and what rake, but they don't give an option for the fxst in the 49mm section. So say you order the 49mm and select the fxsb, then you need to remember the rake you choose will be worked off the breakouts rake, not your fxst rake

Don't quote me on all that, hopefully some one will correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for the feedback squid. When all the Harley dealers a couple years or so ago did some type of biker build off, Fraser motorcycles in Sydney chopped up an FXST and put a front end straight off a wide glide which had 49mm tubes. So hopefully that's a sign that I'll be right.

I've already ordered the HHI trees through rollies speed shop. I got the ones made for breakouts with 3 degree rake like you pointed out. Just waiting on the fork legs and new front wheel and I'll have everything I need to assemble.

Too easy keep us updated with how you go

I'm looking forward to hearing how you go with this mod mate as it's something I'm planning on doing in the future..

No worries spero I'll post the finished product when it's done. trees arrived and they look awesome!

 

+ 1 on wanting to see how this goes ... have wanted to put a set of 49 mil legs on my 08 Fxstc for awhile now , love the Chunky look of the Wide Glide Front End ... have had a few other things going on so keen to see if this set up works for you .

Have always wondered why you can't just take a complete Wide Glide Front End ... Triple Trees ... Legs ... Tubes ... and just slot it in to the Softail Head stem ... with the possibility like Squid says maybe swapping out the bearings .

Trees look nice and clean and smooth ... can`t wait to see how you end up .

Heres some progress shots guys. Breakout front end fits onto a softail standard without a drama.

23" wheel is coming then i'll rake the neck and paint the guard.

Looking good so far. A bit of rake and it'll be just right. I reckon a rear wrap fender to work with that front wrap fender would be the icing on the cake then.

Looking good mate!

Couple of questions if you don't mind? What length are your fork legs? Standard FXST? What are you pushing the frame rake out to? What width front tyre are you running? And lastly what did the HHI trees set you back?

Looking forward to seeing the end result..

Cheers, Spero..

 

I believe the Breakout is just a Rocker Frame front end. The Rocker has a slightly more Rake than a FXST. Instead of raking the front head of your frame, Why don't you just buy the Tripple trees that are off set that will give you the correct rake.

Because raking the neck is safest and best way to rake your front end properly to keep the trail in check. Buying trees with exccessive rake is not a lot of fun to ride when it throws you outside 4-6" trail

Thanks guys.

Squid a wrap rear fender would look great but I'm a bit of a traditionalist and love the bobtail fender. It's also why I decided to upgrade to fatter conventional forks and a larger spoke front wheel.

Spero the trees will set you back just under a grand. The forks are made up of CVO breakout legs and wide glide tubes (which are a couple inches longer than breakout) which makes the overall length much the same as an FXST set of forks.

FXST11 as squid said, I could have bought trees with more rake but then the bike wouldn't handle as well. more expensive to neck rake but it's doing the job properly.

My 23 inch wheel has arrived so more pics to come soon.

Either way it'll be a beauty mate. I'm still a big fan of the stock rear fender too. Looking forward to the finished product

Heres the wheel on the bike now

 

Gee. That new wheel fills the fender. Wow. Shiny

Looks great, well done

That 23" wheel makes a huge difference doesn't it ... let us know what the handling is like with the new set up ... did you buy the CVO Legs and Wide Glide Tubes new or did you get a deal on them .

Would I be right in thinking there wouldn`t be much change out of 5 Grand once you add up Trees .. Legs .. Tubes .. Wheel .. Guard .

Did you change Brake Calliper and Rotor as well ... Great to see other crazy guys out there like me who don`t mind spending a quid in the search of personal enjoyment , Lol .

Nice looking ride .

Hey TJU the complete front wheel and forks were over 5k. I havent bothered with calipers but I do have matching discs which ill put on soon. I think I need to put a bigger front disc on actually as it doesnt brake anywhere near as well with the smaller stock front wheel.

The bike handles fine otherwise. Its not as agile but it does ride nicely. Bike is just about to go for a neck rake. Here's what she looks like right now

Thanks for the info 2012vrod ... good to know .