The kit includes an aluminum disc spacer (second spacer for dual disc available), socket head screws, axle spacer and 3/4" axle. This narrow to wide glide conversion kit allows the use of narrow glide 19" or 21" wheel (found on FX, FXR, FXD and XL models) to be installed in a 41mm Wide Glide front end. Can anyone confirm or prove me crazy on this one With the paughco frame I had and the girder I have, I would have needed a 1 thick spacer to take up the slack in the neck. There are different kits available so you can switch to the appropriate bearings needed.Ĭonversion Kit For 1984-1999 Narrow Glide models It seems to me fitting up front ends between either one of my shovelhead frames, or any 3 of the aftermarket frames that the harley necks are physically about an inch taller. Just one year later after an internal difference of opinions, Harry Holland transferred his partnership to his Brother Bill and left the company. In May of 1973 the Harman Front End was patented. After working out all the details of manufacturing the front end, H & H started the process of patenting the front end. The sliders are the same for the 1" and the 25.8mm axles, but the bearings, spacers, and axles changed. H & H Cycle began building the front end with John Harman handling welding duties, Harry Holland doing machine work, and Bill on assembly. In 2008, they went to a 25.8mm bearing, which is a fraction of an inch different. Starting in 2000, Harley went to 1" front axle bearings on touring bikes. Some triple tree sets use a lower tree with the mounts shaved off for custom applications.ĭepending on what year and model bike, front wheel axle size will vary. Never mind what I thought a Cotton Gin was.Wide Glide forks, tubes, and trees are all produced in the aftermarket by various suppliers. I suspect it is a kind of permanent kickstand to keep a church from falling over. I admit I have never understood what a Flying Buttress accomplishes. As a schoolboy, I enhanced many a final exam essay on the Middle Ages by throwing in the words "Flying Buttress." Just attach a Flying Buttress, my thinking went, and a church becomes a cathedral and struggling mankind is safely conducted to the next phrase I remembered from the textbook: the Cotton Gin. I apologize to readers for tossing about terms I didn't understand. A girder design does all its cushioning at the top the springer splits the cushioning movement between top and at the wheel. Got that? Easy way (for me) to see the difference is that the springer has a short "leading link" visible at the connection to the wheel, and this no doubt gives it that handling advantage over the girder design. A short leading link holds the wheel and the forward leg which actuates the springs (usually mounted on the triple clamp)." The rear is firmly fixed to the bottom triple clamp (usually brazed or welded). "A springer fork is distinguishable from a girder fork by its two parallel sets of legs. Wikipedia illustration of a springer front suspension. The spring is (usually) mounted to the girder and compressed against the upper triple clamp." The pivot points are short links mounted to the top and bottom triple clamps. "A girder fork is distinguishable from a springer fork by the wheel being fixed firmly to the (usually a long diamond shape) upright. Wikipedia illustration of a girder front suspension. These are also called "triple clamps" and I suppose each "triple" has one connection to the frame and one connection to a fork leg on each side of the wheel: 1+1+1=3.) (First it's necessary to learn that "girder" and "springer" forks typically attach to the top front of the frame by a pair of "triple trees," one above the other. Let us instead turn to Wikipedia's entry on the Motorcycle Fork. The good Major probably would have me busted back to an assistant apprenticeship at the Redditch works. "Blasco you chump, those are springer forks not girders - strewth even my idiot butler Ballsack knows the difference you're supposed to be a knowledgeable journo - shape up old fellow!" Commenting on my recent description of a customized Royal Enfield, he wrote: I don't know the difference between a motorcycle "girder" front suspension and a "springer." In writing this blog about Royal Enfield motorcycles I've tossed in the word "Girder" when I meant any kind of motorcycle front suspension more vintage in appearance than the telescopic fork legs on my 1999 Bullet.īut now I have been gently called out on this error by none other than Maj.