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2"+ Over Tubes on 2009 FXDL Question

  • mitch199
    mitch199
    4 years ago
    Hey Gang,
    Haven't been on the forum a lot this year, been a rough 2019, the Dyna took a backseat for a while and lived under the bike cover in the garage.

    Got out with the lads for a fang on Saturday, made me realise (again) how good these things are for the old mental health.

    Anyway, I've toyed with the idea before of 2" or even 4" over tubes on my 09 FXDL. 

    FXDL's of my era had a 29" Neck Rake (as did all other 06 and up Dyna's except the Wide Glide which I believe was 34"). 06 up FXDWG has 2" rake in the trees, bringing total to 36" I think, and the FXDL has 1.5" rake in the trees, bringing it to 30.5" total rake. FXDWG also had (I believe) 2" over fork tubes, 49mm.

    Has anyone here taken FXDWG tubes and put into another model Dyna, and if so, any pictures?
    Also thinking of maybe a 3 Degree Triple Clamp kit, if I went 4" over. Was hoping I could find some used WG tubes, otherwise would order new 2" over (maybe 4" over) ones from USA.

    Should get the front end up and kicked out a bit more, but I realise raked trees can badly affect Trail, which I don't want to do - I like riding quick!

    Cheers. Ps. Few pics from Saturday, hope you don't mind my mates sweet Shovel in the pic on the Dyna Page, or my other mate next to his nice FXDX. My FXDL is the black one.
    Mitch


    Screen Shot 2019-12-10 at 1.03.55 pm.png
    Screen Shot 2019-12-10 at 1.04.07 pm.png
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    4 years ago
    You got me googling and you can buy a simple 3" fork tube extension for a good price instead of the full fork tube.  I might just do this for the sporty; the same kit fits a Dyna too!
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    4 years ago
    I'm just in the process of getting my forks done with 2" over tubes. Stock tube length on my 2012 FatBob is 25" std W/G ones are 27" from memory. 
    Also going 1 1/2" longer rear shocks to keep the be STD rake/trail geometry.
    Fitted genuine HD units which were pretty competitive cost wise, and the chrome is mint.
    Hope to get them back this week.
    So yes you can do it no problem.
    Even if you don't change your trees, check the steering head bearings as I found my lower one notched at 16000 km.
    Cheers
    Ken
  • mitch199
    mitch199
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 10 Dec 2019 05:12 AMedited: 11 Dec 2019 01:41 AM

    I'm just in the process of getting my forks done with 2" over tubes. Stock tube length on my 2012 FatBob is 25" std W/G ones are 27" from memory. 

    Also going 1 1/2" longer rear shocks to keep the be STD rake/trail geometry.
    Fitted genuine HD units which were pretty competitive cost wise, and the chrome is mint.
    Hope to get them back this week.
    So yes you can do it no problem.
    Even if you don't change your trees, check the steering head bearings as I found my lower one notched at 16000 km.
    Cheers
    Ken

    G'day Ken,
    That sounds awesome. Would love to see some before and after photos when you get the big girl back.

    After doing the math on Rake and Trail yesterday, I think unfortunately for me, any raked trees over stock are going to give me some nasty trail numbers, it seems 4 to 6 inches is about the going rate without handling being too weird. Low Riders have some of the smallest trail, at only a smidge over 4 inches (2 or 4 inch extended tubes won't effect this) but going to a more raked tree will see it probably get loose at speed - don't want that.

    Be keen to see what she looks like on your bob with the 2 overs. 

    Cheers.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    4 years ago
    Darn good point on checking the bearings.  My FXR ones are nicely notched and provide self centering steering!
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    4 years ago
    Yeah I was surprised mine were rooted, didn't feel it, only found it because I had pulled it down.
    Not sure you will notice much difference in the look Mitch, as I am lifting both ends. Going to give Joe a call this arvo, hopefully the forks and shocks are on the way.
    Post some pics when done.
    Cheers
    Ken
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 11 Dec 2019 01:46 AM

    Yeah I was surprised mine were rooted, didn't feel it, only found it because I had pulled it down.

    Not sure you will notice much difference in the look Mitch, as I am lifting both ends. Going to give Joe a call this arvo, hopefully the forks and shocks are on the way.
    Post some pics when done.
    Cheers
    Ken

    But WHY?  Is that cause Cairns is full of giant potholes?
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 10 Dec 2019 04:18 AM

    You got me googling and you can buy a simple 3" fork tube extension for a good price instead of the full fork tube.  I might just do this for the sporty; the same kit fits a Dyna too!

    Have a mate that does this, mentioned it on here a few years back and some of the more experienced blokes said don't do it as where the thread is becomes a weak spot and bad shit can happen.
  • potluk
    potluk
    4 years ago
    a couple of things you could try before you commit that might give you a feel of what will happen when you extend your tubes. it depends on your triple trees but if your trees allow your tubes to go all the way through you can drop them maybe an inch in the trees ( if you wanted to lower it it would be the reverse ). also if you take the top of the fork tubes off there is a spacer in the top get some poly pipe the same diameter as the spacer cut it an inch longer and put it back in place of the spacer . some do this to stop the front bottoming out. this will compress the spring effectively making the tube look longer. be careful putting the screw back on the tubes it will be harder to start if it is too hard trim a little off. also you might notice a bit harsher rebound over bigger bumps. my mechanic put poly spacers on my street bob a couple of years ago because he said it was bottoming out as soon as i sat on the bike i could tell the difference in height. i left them in for about a year then took them out i didnt like the look or the ride. personal choice you might find it different. hope this helps good luck
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    4 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 10 Dec 2019 04:18 AM

    You got me googling and you can buy a simple 3" fork tube extension for a good price instead of the full fork tube.  I might just do this for the sporty; the same kit fits a Dyna too!

    Quoting Grease Monkey on 11 Dec 2019 02:09 AM

    Have a mate that does this, mentioned it on here a few years back and some of the more experienced blokes said don't do it as where the thread is becomes a weak spot and bad shit can happen.

    Bugger... thats actually not silly thinking.   Would be good to get a 'feel' for what the height rides and looks like though.
    I might gumtree/ebay them for some cheap units to just seee the ride height etc.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    4 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 10 Dec 2019 04:18 AM

    You got me googling and you can buy a simple 3" fork tube extension for a good price instead of the full fork tube.  I might just do this for the sporty; the same kit fits a Dyna too!

    Quoting Grease Monkey on 11 Dec 2019 02:09 AM

    Have a mate that does this, mentioned it on here a few years back and some of the more experienced blokes said don't do it as where the thread is becomes a weak spot and bad shit can happen.

    Quoting tussuck on 11 Dec 2019 03:19 AM

    Bugger... thats actually not silly thinking.   Would be good to get a 'feel' for what the height rides and looks like though.

    I might gumtree/ebay them for some cheap units to just seee the ride height etc.

    Spose if you don't push it too hard you would be ok, my mate hasn't had any drama that I know of but yeah it makes sense aye.
  • Sparra
    Sparra
    4 years ago
    Quoting tussuck on 10 Dec 2019 04:18 AM

    You got me googling and you can buy a simple 3" fork tube extension for a good price instead of the full fork tube.  I might just do this for the sporty; the same kit fits a Dyna too!

    Quoting Grease Monkey on 11 Dec 2019 02:09 AM

    Have a mate that does this, mentioned it on here a few years back and some of the more experienced blokes said don't do it as where the thread is becomes a weak spot and bad shit can happen.

    I was going to go this route when I had my Wideglide and after some research concluded what Hilly said...I went 2" over full tubes....
  • mitch199
    mitch199
    4 years ago
    Thanks for the responses fellas. 
    Personally I would feel a bit hesitant to install the fork leg extenders, I'd be just installing longer tubes. I don't mind pulling forks apart after doing motocross forks before.
    For any of the lads who have extended the fork legs, don't be shy to throw a photo up. Would love to see some on relatively stock bikes (not huge rake choppers etc), any bike mentioned so far would be tops.
    Cheers.

  • John.R
    John.R
    4 years ago
    My FXR has +2in forks, 39mm though.

    20191130_071603.jpg
  • Sparra
    Sparra
    4 years ago
    https://www.hdforums.com.au/Users/Files/2421/IMG_1228_1.JPG
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    4 years ago
    I thought about those fork extenders too, but the cost for new tubes wasn't much more.
    Oil in the forks should be changed every 15,000 km or so btw fellas.
    Looks like I will be off to work on Monday, so the old girl will have to stay up all n the table for a few weeks as the parts probably won't get here till then, or more likely Tuesday.
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