Wide Glide Front What Fits An 84 FXRT?

[Ol' Biker]

Hi all, just a newbie here. I'd appreciate your expert FXR feedback! Looking to go with a better appearing front on my 84 fxrt (fairing & bags removed - bought it that way). I'm finding various OEM wide glide front end take off's online that fit my budget, just don't know what fits what, primarily the tree's & stem diameter? Must admit I love the ride & travel of the stock 35mm fork, so also considering a conversion. recommendations & suggestions? Thanks!

[bkrhoades]

Originally Posted by Ol' Biker

Hi all, just a newbie here. I'd appreciate your expert FXR feedback! Looking to go with a better appearing front on my 84 fxrt (fairing & bags removed - bought it that way). I'm finding various OEM wide glide front end take off's online that fit my budget, just don't know what fits what, primarily the tree's & stem diameter? Must admit I love the ride & travel of the stock 35mm fork, so also considering a conversion. recommendations & suggestions? Thanks!

I bought a 53mm inverted wideglide front end for my 87 FXR from demoncycles.com. One thing to keep in mind is ANY change of your front forks from stock, will change how your FXR handles. I'm not into carving up curves while riding, so a wideglide front end suites me well, and I love the look. It's up to you better looks, or better handling!

[Ol' Biker]

Originally Posted by bkrhoades

I bought a 53mm inverted wideglide front end for my 87 FXR from demoncycles.com. One thing to keep in mind is ANY change of your front forks from stock, will change how your FXR handles. I'm not into carving up curves while riding, so a wideglide front end suites me well, and I love the look. It's up to you better looks, or better handling!

Thanks for your info & thoughts. I checked out your front end on Demons, very nice! (But too pricey for me.) I'm pretty much a cruiser-type rider so I think I can get along with a Wide Glide style front too. I've ridden old Wide Glides in days gone by and didn't have any trouble getting them to go where I pointed them based on my riding style, so I'm after the "look".

[Ol' Biker]

Well, I spotted a 97 Dyna Wide Glide front take off for sale (see pics). Guy says it'll bolt right on my 84 FXR but I'm not so sure... If anyone knows yay or nay, I'd appreciate your reply. Thanks!

[tegfxr]

I bought a nice chunky mid glide kit for my FXR and it looks the dogs danglies , uses same forks wheel etc bit kit comes with triple tree's and wheel , mudguard spacers etc . can send pics if needed to see what it looks like . certainly more standard looking than a wideglide kit imo !

[blackjackcustms]

Most wideglides need a 'lil trimming, before they'll bolt on an FXR. The forkstops usually. The only way to know is to try it. Personally, I just add a steering damper and a fork brace to my 39mm narrowglides, and play with the springing and damping. But I get the whole looks thing, too.

[Ol' Biker]

Originally Posted by tegfxr

I bought a nice chunky mid glide kit for my FXR and it looks the dogs danglies , uses same forks wheel etc bit kit comes with triple tree's and wheel , mudguard spacers etc . can send pics if needed to see what it looks like . certainly more standard looking than a wideglide kit imo !

Thanks for your feedback. Ya know, the more I think about it, it probably does make more sense going mid glide than wide. My 84 has the small 35mm fork legs so I'd have to get a set of 39's to make it worth while I guess. Unless I could find good used, I'd probably just go with a set of chrome aftermarket legs then upgade to dual disc's and a set of aftermarket 4 piston calipers to give me better stopping power too. My single disc is pretty anemic when it comes to stopping performance. I like the idea of the mid glide conversion and keeping my stock cast wheel. I think it would be a positive upgrade both improving the looks as you mentioned along with likely maintaining the nice ride and handling I've come to appreciate with my FXR. I've been hesitant and concerned that going wide with a 21" wheel is just going to screw things up in favor of more "modern" looks. Please reply to this thread or send me a private message which manufacturers kit you used? I'd really like to look into this. Thanks again!

[Ol' Biker]

Originally Posted by blackjackcustms

Most wideglides need a 'lil trimming, before they'll bolt on an FXR. The forkstops usually. The only way to know is to try it. Personally, I just add a steering damper and a fork brace to my 39mm narrowglides, and play with the springing and damping. But I get the whole looks thing, too.

Thanks for your reply, I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I've now had a chance to look at some OEM wide glide triple tree's. Like you said, probably a little trimming to the fork stops to make it work. Honestly I'm not a canyon carver type rider but I think I'd be giving up too much in handling for the wide "look", so I'm probably going to go with a mid glide conversion instead. Thanks again!

[LADave]

I'm in the process of switching from a narrow to a wide-glide at the moment, using after-market trees. The fork stops are a concern to look into.

Here's a shot of mine, I had to do a bit of grinding on the lower part of the neck to get a decent "swing" in the front end...


Another area to worry about is the "tab" for the fork lock. I had to bend mine down to mock it up. I ended up just removing the tab...

[mrmango345]

I'm in the process of going with a Mid glide conversion. I previoulsy did the 21" front wheel and still handles the balls. In my humble opinion the Mid with 39 mm forks is more proportionate. I actually decided to rake it 3 degrees too, to look more like a low rider. That will probably change the handling a little bit, but willing to give it a shot. Let ya know how I make out.

[tegfxr]

good luck with the Mid Glide Kit mate you wont be disappointed

[Fartnokker]

Originally Posted by mrmango345

I previoulsy did the 21" front wheel and still handles the balls.

Um, I don't quite now what to say. Your FXR handles balls? Ewwww...