i was up in Rocky recently and chatting to a bloke that had a 2 inch extension done to the forks on his 07 Fatboy.

i really liked the angle it gave the Fatboy and felt  great when you sat in the seat (Just what i need i thought)

i always thought that you had to put new forks onto the bike to achieve this result

Ol mate mentioned that he simply had "spacers" fitted to the forks and all was working fine ( a dealer in Mackay did it from memory)

Ive approached a couple of shops here in Brisbane that state spacers are dangerous and you must fit new forks

new forks and fitment is about $1100-00

so my questions are

- has anyone fitted the spacers to their forks . If so what was the cost and any dramas

- are new forks the only way to go ?

- does a 2 inch lift affect the handling to any degree. I am aware it will give extra clearance to the  floorboards

Thanks in advance for any feedback

 

I know a person who had fitted many "Spacers" to bikes without any failing. He say's as long as it's done proper and the spacer stays within the top and bottom triple tree they are safe.

Few of the boys i know have them the only one i know that ever failed was due to a heirline crack in his triple. I got longer tubes on my old softy as i was too scared the front end would snap off and might end hurting my drinking hand.....

Not a lot of extra clearance for the footboards, but it does help.
Correct preload and sag on the rear shock helps too.

The 2" ( actually 1 5/8" ) extension if you use FXST fork tubes does not affect handling in any negative sense.
A set of genuine tubes and new fork seals plus oil should cost less than $400. The extended cowbells are less than $100. Springs only need a internal spacer from poly pipe, costs nothing.
The job can be completed on a Fatboy in two and a bit hours by an old fart who's not a factory mechanic.
Don't see how it equates to a $1000 job.

Worth considering Progressive Suspension Monotubes, about $350 from EasyR. They improve things. Others here have experienced the same success.
Or Gold Valves, provided you follow the advice of wise heads here, who might stand up.

Yes, I have done the job myself in the recent past. Monotubes in my case, with genuine HD Showa tubes.

I sell Tubes for $216.00 a pair or the extensions for $120.00 a pair VPW 03 8405 9212