hey,
i have a 84-99 wideglide front end which is 4 over stock fron the factory, i want to lower it 2 inches, so i was looking at the white bros kits and i'm not to sure how using these will lower the frontend if you keep the stock tubes. maybe i'm missing something but would'nt i have to go to 2 inch shorter tubes also ? if the springs in the kit are shorter and thats how the lowering is achieved couldn't i just use a set of touring springs that i have which are shorter by 2 inches and just ad spacers for the preload. is the lenght of the spring is what determines the the overall lenght of the frontend ? shorter spring = lower frontend ? can anybody explain how this works, i'm just not getting it without buying shorter tubes.
thanks for all the help

 

Reducing the length of that 4" over fork by 2" by using the springs to do it will also reduce the slider travel by 2". You will be shortening the suspension travel. When that is done, basically all you are doing is cutting the long top spring and putting the cut-off piece under the hydraulic unit at the bottom since the spring is sized for the tube length. The best way is to replace the tubes with shorter ones. Bottoming out a front end is bad for the teeth.

 

thanks,
if i go with the shorter tubes, should i use the stock springs ? this is where i get confused.even with shorter tubes if i put the stock springs back in won't it just raise it back to where it was ? or will it just compress the spring more for a stiffer ride. if it is alittle stiffer i don't mind.
thanks

 

The longer tubes no doubt came with the springs that are in them sized for length. If you use 2" shorter tubes you could use the same springs and if you find that the ride is too stiff, chop off a piece. The problem with that though is that the spring seat end will no longer be flat. Assembling the sliders onto those 2" longer springs may be a real treet.. And what a surprise for someone else removing the tube upper end! Do you have a service manual for that era bike? That would be a very good investment....

 

no manual, this is for a chop i'm building.so no specific manual. its on a rigid frame and i'm just trying to level the motor alittle. the front of the frame is about a 1 1/2 higher than the back. when i look at my 01 softail thats about how that sits too. so maybe it not even worth messing with ?
thanks

 

Add the 1 1/2" to the front frame down tubes.... No just kidding! That would probably look OK since lots of choppers on rigid frames did nothing but add extended forks. The engine certainly doesn't mind at all....

 

how ws it raised 4 inches