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Extended front end on 1200 Sportster S

Extended front end on 1200 Sportster S

Ozztropolis666
4 years ago

Heyyyyy everyone. New here. Use the forum all the time for info but I can’t find anything on this.
Going to get new +4” Fork tubes for my 1200S

BUT I’ve noticed most “kits” exclude the Sport models. Anyone know the deal with getting tubes for a sport model and what is different? the top end with preload adjusters make it not a standard fork tube, am I right? Am I wrong?

Do I need to go for a standard tube with a top cap and ditch the preload adjusters or is it a completely different setup all together? I can do most things on my bike but suspension is not my jam.

Mostly because I ride everywhere, don’t have a car so when I do the switch it needs to be done by Monday morning. Don’t want to open it up until
I know I got what I need.

If you think the handling will be worse I don’t care, you do you. I’ll do me.

Any help would be epic. Thanks

John.R
4 years ago

Check parts diagram for your forks To see if youve got a cartridge in it. I think it does (more Then just preload) and thatd be.why it won't work.

Ozztropolis666
4 years ago

Quoting John.R on 12 May 2020 06:36 AM
Check parts diagram for your forks To see if youve got a cartridge in it. I think it does (more Then just preload) and thatd be.why it won't work.

Thanks john.
I have looked, I was wondering about the thread in the top of the tubes being the same in both my stock tubes and the new tubes so I could switch it. Would probably not work without some sort of spacer anyway you would think?

John.R
4 years ago

That won't be your issue, it'll be the length the of cartridge and damper rod.
Non cartridge you just run a spacer.

Cartridge, your length is determined by the length of the cartridge, I.e it will be a set length between the thread at top of fork to the bottom on damper. Putting long tubes on will have it the same height, but more fork tube in the lower fork.

tussuck
4 years ago

Quoting John.R on 13 May 2020 03:10 AM
That won't be your issue, it'll be the length the of cartridge and damper rod.
Non cartridge you just run a spacer.

Cartridge, your length is determined by the length of the cartridge, I.e it will be a set length between the thread at top of fork to the bottom on damper. Putting long tubes on will have it the same height, but more fork tube in the lower fork.

What he said.... A 1200S has "special" bits inside the forks compared to a plain old 1200 or 883.

micathia
4 years ago

I found this seller in US, selling all types of forks to many models.
http://www.chopperkitusa.com/

Ozztropolis666
4 years ago

Thanks fellas.
looks like I’ll just find a second set of forks with lowers and do a switcharoo with Longer tubes.

Appreciate the help

JR888
4 years ago

Quoting John.R on 13 May 2020 03:10 AM
That won't be your issue, it'll be the length the of cartridge and damper rod.
Non cartridge you just run a spacer.

Cartridge, your length is determined by the length of the cartridge, I.e it will be a set length between the thread at top of fork to the bottom on damper. Putting long tubes on will have it the same height, but more fork tube in the lower fork.

I ran tube extensions on my 1200 Custom (non cartridge) and that kit came with spacers that were basically just plastic pipe like electrical conduit. From memory it even mentioned conduit if you needed different length.

HOG63
4 years ago

Quoting Ozztropolis666 on 14 May 2020 12:03 PM
Thanks fellas.
looks like I’ll just find a second set of forks with lowers and do a switcharoo with Longer tubes.

Appreciate the help

Hey Ozztropolis666,
I recommend a “try before you buy” approach. 4” is a lot of change to handling steering, high/low speed cornering, weight shift, etc. (I write from experience.)

The ‘try’ is to simply add 4” fork extensions.
It takes around 30 mins to install after getting your handlebars out of the way. And provided you have enough throttle, brake, clutch cable length (perhaps with a bit of re-routing).

The 4” extensions I bought are solid steel and simply replace your existing fork caps. No spring spacers required.

After much riding I got 3” over tubes from the US and rebuilt my forks with those.
4” was a tad too long for me.

One suggestion:
https://customcycleengineering.net/product-category/fork-tubes/

Oh, forgot to write that I got the fork extensions from MCAS. The threads were good tight fit.

https://www.mcas.com.au/shop/item/zodiac-forktube-extension-kit-4-forward-39mm

Ozztropolis666
2 years ago

Long time reply sorry I got a bit caught up but I did end up switching the forks out for regular narrow glides, +4” tubes with a narrow 21” front wheel. It actually handles pretty damn well, cornering mostly helps with a smaller radius on the front tyre. Don’t get speed wobbles anymore either. Upwards of 120 if I hit a pebble I’d get a bit of wobbling happen. These stay a bit stiffer on the higher speeds. Slow speeds are fine with ape hangers got plenty of leverage. Thanks again for the replies

New setup.

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tussuck
2 years ago

That looks pretty damn good! Did you need to modify the side stand at all as I am looking to do the same on my chopper sporty.

Let me know if you have any left over bits yah want to sell...

Cheers

Ozztropolis666
2 years ago

Quoting tussuck on 09 Oct 2022 07:14 AM
That looks pretty damn good! Did you need to modify the side stand at all as I am looking to do the same on my chopper sporty.

Let me know if you have any left over bits yah want to sell...

Cheers

I didn’t need to modify the side stand. It does lean over quite a bit more but it doesn’t fall over. Got used to it pretty quick.

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