Are all fork tubes created equal?

[TDiLisio]

I'm a noob to the world of choppers, and so far this is the best site I've found.

I recently traded my 03 Roadking for a 04 custom softail chopper. The forks are 8 over and in need of rebuilding/replacing. I took them apart and the only bushing installed was the lower, and the only seal installed was the dust cap seal. Needless to say it was full of black water, dampers and springs are rusted/pitted something terrible. The inside of the fork tube looks to have wear marks on them.

I'd feel better replacing the fork tube assemblies and bypass just replacing the damper and springs.

According to a tech that I had look at the lowers, they are OK (forks weren't apart at the time).

Apparently the previous owner didn't care about it's function as much as how it looked. This is evident by the 426 miles on the odo.

Currently I can only afford the fork tubes, but replacing the fork tubes and lowers would give me a "more warm and fuzzy".

Researching the various 41mm tubes and lowers, There is a wide range in pricing....

Which leads to my question: Are all fork tubes created equal? Is there one brand that's better than the other? If so, what makes it better?

I know the lowers come in a wide variety of shapes and colors... so I can understand the price range on those.

Is it the same as everything else??? paying for the name but the product is the same??

Please advise as I have to order these at the end of the week.

BTW... Thanks for posting the excellent technical articles on rebuilding the front end. Very much helpful.

 

[stlmikie]

Get to the intro section and give us a good intro. Someone with fork knowledge will answer your question pretty quick.

 

[Raywood]

How many miles on the bike? Looking forward to your intro.
Welcome to the site

 

[Nukeranger]

Here goes, Welcome to the site! An intro with specifics on the bike will allow someone to chime in with part numbers and maybe a how to! Just saying.

 

[TDiLisio]

The bike has 426 miles.

Thanks for the Full House suggestion... That's where I've been going for parts and advice.

Just would like to know if there is a difference between a $200 pair of fork tubes and a $450 pair of fork tubes. Besides the $250 difference in price....

None of the ad's I've read mention a manufacturer. I would prefer to buy a set manufactured in the US.

 

[Chris04Masitff]

the tubes i suggested DID NOT specify made in USA

 

[Raywood]

Why do they need rebuilding already? Manual says change seals every 10,000 miles although you should probably do it sooner. I had to buy new forks cause I went 40,000 on mine and the bushings wore throughout the chrome. Once this happens seals just won't seal.

 

[firedog19]

gosh Ray thats about 2 Months worth for you

 

[Chris04Masitff]

my tubes were pitted at sealing area. had to replace as well.... 20,000 on mine

 

[TDiLisio]

Why do they need rebuilding already?

I would really like to know that answer, too. Like I said in a previous post... the last person who had it was more worried about it being clean and pretty than they were about maintenance.... or the thing wasn't put together right from the start (which I highly doubt).

When I got the bike I noticed the front end sounded like a pogo stick when activating the front brake while rolling the bike forward. So I started looking at it... and there seemed to be just a little to much play between the dust seal and fork tube. Plus the tube didn't look centered in the dust seal. So I removed the axle. The RF bolt that holds the lower to the damper tube was broke so when the axle cleared the LF tube the wheel, axle and RF lower fell off.

I found that the only bushing that was installed was the lower bushing. No upper bushing, washer or seal/clip. A bunch of nasty black water came out of both tubes and lowers.

The damper was rusted and pitted way beyond my comfort level to clean and reinstall. So... That's why I'm going to replace the entire fork tube assemblies. I figure if the piston part is pitted as bad as it is... then the inside of the tubes suffered some damage as well. I'd like to replace the lowers, too... but the Tech at Full house said they're ok. Saved me a few dollars on that.

Attached are pics of what I found....

 

[woodbutcher]

did the previous owner have the bike parked outside in the rain/snow or what??????????

needs the shit beat out of him :angry::angry:

 

[Raywood]

I would really like to know that answer, too. Like I said in a previous post... the last person who had it was more worried about it being clean and pretty than they were about maintenance.... or the thing wasn't put together right from the start (which I highly doubt).

When I got the bike I noticed the front end sounded like a pogo stick when activating the front brake while rolling the bike forward. So I started looking at it... and there seemed to be just a little to much play between the dust seal and fork tube. Plus the tube didn't look centered in the dust seal. So I removed the axle. The RF bolt that holds the lower to the damper tube was broke so when the axle cleared the LF tube the wheel, axle and RF lower fell off.

I found that the only bushing that was installed was the lower bushing. No upper bushing, washer or seal/clip. A bunch of nasty black water came out of both tubes and lowers.

The damper was rusted and pitted way beyond my comfort level to clean and reinstall. So... That's why I'm going to replace the entire fork tube assemblies. I figure if the piston part is pitted as bad as it is... then the inside of the tubes suffered some damage as well. I'd like to replace the lowers, too... but the Tech at Full house said they're ok. Saved me a few dollars on that.

Attached are pics of what I found....

Hard to believe with a bike with only 400 miles on it. You did good though pulling them apart and rebuilding them

 

[Jersey James]

Try "Forking by Frank" He has been in business since 1966. I have used his GREAT front forks, since the early 70s. I have a pair of his fork tubes on my Pit Bull right now. He will AMERICAN make any fork, any bike, any length and ship C.O.D. contact # 847 475~1003 Hope this helps.

 

[TDiLisio]

Thanks for the info James.