Franks Forks Hard-Chromed Fork Tubes
- Fork tubes by Franks Forks
- fits FL and FLH late 1977-1984, FLT 1980-1983, FXWG 1980-1983
- steel, hard-chromed
- length: 28.75”
- Ø 41.3 mm
- thread: M35 x 1.5
- USA
- gross weight: 6.02 kg
Heavy-duty steel fork tubes for a wide range of classic and custom Harley-Davidson front ends – available in standard lengths as well as extended versions up to +12". Perfect for rebuilding OEM front forks or creating stretched front ends on custom builds, such as choppers, bobbers, or modified FX models.
Each tube is precision-ground prior to hard chroming, ensuring perfect roundness, consistent wall thickness, and a smooth, uniform surface. The hard chrome finish provides excellent wear resistance and precise fork response – essential for proper fork function, reduced stiction, and long-term reliability in vintage and custom Harley applications.
Applications: Compatible with many OEM fork systems and ideal for use in extended front ends, custom frames, and restorations of Shovelhead, Ironhead, and early Evolution models.
Ready to install and built to spec – for riders and builders who value authentic style and modern manufacturing quality.
Ø 41.3 mm, for FL(H) late 1977-1984, FLT 1980-1983, FXWG 1980-1983
From 1977 on the Big Twin fork tubes were acquired from Showa.
- Standard length for FL and FLT models is 20.75” (527 mm, OEM 45825-77A).
- Standard length for FXWG models is 24.75” (629 mm, OEM 45417-80).
By the way, for the 1977-1984 models, if you are missing the plunger tube bushings... there never were any. The fork tubes ran in the bare aluminum of the slider tubes. That was good Japanese standard at the time.
Show-chromed vs. Hard chromed
From the chemist's point of view, chrome is always the same: a kind of metal with a defined hardness and resistance against wear. From this point of view no chrome is harder than any other one. The secrets behind the terms show-chromed and hard chromed are
- the preparation of the base, which is chromed, and
- the thickness of the chrome layer.
Show-chrome means a thin layer (up to 1 µm) on a highly polished base. This layer has not the same longevity as the so-called hard chrome, simply due to its lesser thickness.
Hard chroming means applying galvanically a substantially thicker chrome layer on the base. Due to its thickness the finished surface is much more durable and withstands corrosion better than show-chrome.
Have any questions?
Our service team will be glad to help out: Mondays - Thursdays 08:00-17:00 CET, Fridays 08:00-16:00 CET, Phone: +49 / 931 250 61 16, eMail: service@wwag.com