Harley Roadsmith front fork tube replacement

[kimrpaige]

Hello,
I have a 2013 Ultra Limited with a Roadsmith kit installed when new. I just accumulated 50,000 miles. I had a wierd squeeling noise when doing a hard left had turn at about 15 mph. I replaced the front wheel bearing, rotors, pads and front tire. Afterwards the noise is still there, took trike to local HD dealer, they rode it and said it was probably the neck bearings, and for $1475 they would rebuild the forks and replace the neck bearings. I took it home and removed the forks and took them to an Indy shop I have used for years, I will lube and adjust the neck bearings and replace if needed. I accidently nicked the tubes very slightly but I may have to replace them as the nicks are in the seal area. So my question is, if I need to replace them, wondering if 2 inch longer tube would be better or worse for the trike. Roadsmith install an easy steer triple tree when new, probably a 4 or 5 degree rake, not sure. Just wondering the effects if I lenghten the forks. thanks in advance, Kim

 

[Papa Zook]

Roadsmith likey installed fork extensions when they did the trike conversion and installed the rake kit, if not they are available, I stock them. So I would not reccomend changing to 2" over fork tubes. As far as the nics, unless they are severe, I doubt they would cause anough damage to the seals to cause a leak. You could change the seals to a fresh set while you have the forks off the bike.

 

[kimrpaige]

Roadsmith likey installed fork extensions when they did the trike conversion and installed the rake kit, if not they are available, I stock them. So I would not reccomend changing to 2" over fork tubes. As far as the nics, unless they are severe, I doubt they would cause anough damage to the seals to cause a leak. You could change the seals to a fresh set while you have the forks off the bike.

Papa Zook,

Thanks so much, the nicks are very minor, so hopefully they are ok. My independent shop has the forks to rebuild as I have not ever done it and I do not have any special tools. Also do not know the amount of rake that Roadsmith used in 2013. I went to adjust and lube my neck bearings and it appears Roadsmith uses a different nut to adjust the bearings, no star nut just a regular nut, so I might also assume they use their own bearings. The bearings feel good, so I just greased the crap out of them through the zerk fitting, mine (2013) is the last year with the zerk fitting on the neck. Anyway thanks for the reply. Kim