Ultima 58mm front end
- Thread starter nymikeok
- Start date
MARV
Well-Known Member
no on the brakes. you'll need a 99 and down caliperI know a few of you have these inverted front ends. I want on but need to know the particulars on the install. Do the brakes bolt to them? Any spacing issues? Fork stop? fender? Thanks guys in advance. I sure love all the info you guys spread around.
you'll need new axle spacers and spacers for the fender. no big deal.
reuse the oem internal fork stop.
no mounts for blinkers but i dont need fronts in jersey.
my set is a couple years old and i have some chrome peel on the bottom of the lower tree. still looks better then stock. IMO
plus you cant beat the price. i think they're less then 500 to your door.
nymikeok
on the back wheel
MARV
Well-Known Member
??????
none that i recall
RubWhore
Asshole Extraordinaire
The Ultima is a good front end for 400 bucks, the 12 over 5 degree will work just fine you will have to get a caliper 99 down as said earlier which you can get off Ebay for 60 to 120 bucks the chrome is not that good on the Ultima and quality is about what you wood expect for a lifeline part comparing it to an Americain Suspension front end is like comparing a Hunday to a Mercedes
blazen582
Member
Thanks!! You gave me what I was looking for.. American suspension it will be..
RubWhore
Asshole Extraordinaire
Ted will take real good care of you
Question, I bought an Ultima 58 Inverted front end and wondering about the spacers and bearings. I searched this site about the bearings and got some part numbers but the ID is too big on the shaft. Was told the only bearings I will find to work are Korean made due to the half size jump on the ID. The stock 6204 wheel bearings DO NOT allow the 3/4 axel bearing to slide freely into the bearing. I have to tap the axel through. The second question about the wheel spacers is that I have yet to mock up the front wheel to see which way I need to go on the spacers. Longer or shorter? The fender spacers are another question. I seem to be about 1/4 short 1/8 per side to install. Can't seem to find any spacers made that thin for fender applications. Just use washers or what? The stock PM caliper won't work as noted by MARV so I got the jump on sourcing out a 99 down chrome. Measured the stock brake line and it was 48"
(4 foot) it looks like it will just about still reach but I went ahead and ordered a 50" just to add some slack. Won't know until I get the caliper mounted if the 50" will work. Read about MARV and he used a 54" but it had too much slack and he should have used a 52" if he was to do it again. But he also has different handlebars than I do so I just had to guess on that one. I figure if it almost reached now and I added another 2" with the front end I will just buy a 2" longer brake hose. Only $40 anyway so if it won't work no big loss. Well if anyone can help me out with anything to ease my part hunting will be greatly appreciated.
(4 foot) it looks like it will just about still reach but I went ahead and ordered a 50" just to add some slack. Won't know until I get the caliper mounted if the 50" will work. Read about MARV and he used a 54" but it had too much slack and he should have used a 52" if he was to do it again. But he also has different handlebars than I do so I just had to guess on that one. I figure if it almost reached now and I added another 2" with the front end I will just buy a 2" longer brake hose. Only $40 anyway so if it won't work no big loss. Well if anyone can help me out with anything to ease my part hunting will be greatly appreciated.
MARV
Well-Known Member
if your brake line is too short you can get a brake fitting with a longer end. russell brand is common but there is 2 different banjo bolt sizes so just check yours first.
yea BD bearings and axles are an odd size. :loony: DUH. if you take the wheel apart its easy to press out the bearings. take the bearing and the axle to a bearing shop. done deal
the 3/4 axle spacers youll just have to measure then order. they do sell kits of different sizes. can never have enough spacers.
the fender just space out with nuts and washers then measure. most decent hrdwre shops have chrome spacers and longer cap screws.
winters about here
one step at a time
yea BD bearings and axles are an odd size. :loony: DUH. if you take the wheel apart its easy to press out the bearings. take the bearing and the axle to a bearing shop. done deal
the 3/4 axle spacers youll just have to measure then order. they do sell kits of different sizes. can never have enough spacers.
the fender just space out with nuts and washers then measure. most decent hrdwre shops have chrome spacers and longer cap screws.
winters about here
one step at a time
I had pressed out the bearing and brought the new axel with me to NAPA. They are the ones who called around to find the only one available made by a Korean company. Still wondering why the new axel would not slide through the old bearings? Once I get the new bearings I'll be able to mock it up and order the spacers. Have yet to put my hands on any fender spacers at the hardware stores around here. Not surprised, every time I work on anything it's going to be complicated sourcing parts. Just was hoping someone remembered what size axel spacers they used since our bikes wheels are close to the same, longer or shorter? Even thought about going to a thicker bearing with shorter spacers since they have the room and the bearings are sealed and still have a dust seal added. Got the brake line and turn signal mounts in yesterday. Had to find screws for the turn signals since the screws that came with the mounts were too short for the Big Dog signals. Couldn't even find the same style screws around here, just needed longer . Had to use regular Allen drive and grind down the heads to keep them from touching the fork tubes. Got a new chrome PM 6 piston caliper on the way for $419 free shipping. Wanted the same brand to match. Maybe next I will get a rear chrome caliper. Thinking about chrome wheels now that I have them off and apart. Tired of rubbing on this bike. Rub or ride?
Had a thought after I posted this and remembered I had some flat stock aluminum in my toolbox left over from another project years ago that I was using as a tool for the straight edge. BINGO!! Still had the sticker on it 1/8 inch! Now I have to fabricate them and polish even though all you will see is mostly the edges. I found a set of bearings on Ebay so I just sprung for them since they stated "Big Dog" and I could buy both for the same money just one was costing me locally. Just hope the axel slides into them without binding so I can order wheel spacers and get rolling again while the weather is still in the 60's and 70's during the day. Just remembered I have a Triple xXx chrome S&S carb ordered I still have to install once I get it in.
Had a thought after I posted this and remembered I had some flat stock aluminum in my toolbox left over from another project years ago that I was using as a tool for the straight edge. BINGO!! Still had the sticker on it 1/8 inch! Now I have to fabricate them and polish even though all you will see is mostly the edges. I found a set of bearings on Ebay so I just sprung for them since they stated "Big Dog" and I could buy both for the same money just one was costing me locally. Just hope the axel slides into them without binding so I can order wheel spacers and get rolling again while the weather is still in the 60's and 70's during the day. Just remembered I have a Triple xXx chrome S&S carb ordered I still have to install once I get it in.
Last edited:
MARV
Well-Known Member
Back when this forum started most of the originals were doing trial and error modifying their bikes. Mostly because we were running into the BD proprietary parts. It was somewhat aggravating but it was a learning curve that was added to by many.
Some enjoy the wrenching almost as much as the ride.
I finally put my front fender on last year after a few years of not having. My spacers are .425". There is some flex with the bracket/fender. I used nylon nuts, maybe 3/8. They look fine, at least good enough, well not that bad, ok redneck riviera here but fender is centered!
Some enjoy the wrenching almost as much as the ride.
I finally put my front fender on last year after a few years of not having. My spacers are .425". There is some flex with the bracket/fender. I used nylon nuts, maybe 3/8. They look fine, at least good enough, well not that bad, ok redneck riviera here but fender is centered!