Rake Q & A
- Thread starter kenny81506
- Start date
- Moderator
- #92
Re: Trike Rake Kit
Welcome aboard. PM Bazooka or call him at his business an advertiser here (He is also the owner of this forum) Adventure Motorsports. Randy will take good care of you. Great guy and a great leader here.
Welcome aboard. PM Bazooka or call him at his business an advertiser here (He is also the owner of this forum) Adventure Motorsports. Randy will take good care of you. Great guy and a great leader here.
skuuter
One of the Origionals
Re: Trike Rake Kit
Yep.....ADVENTURE MOTORSPORTS...Bazooka/Randy.....He is the "BOSS" ( OK, there is a little redheaded BOSS here too, but doesn't have parts...:NanaNice
here at TRIKE TALK .com...I just recieved a Great Set of 6 Degree Ones this mornin' for my Wife's New VTX1300 Trike from Him...Top Quality, Super Nice Workmanship...Call Him Today.....ThumbUp :wtg:
Private Message Zook here on the board or call him at (334)648-0157. He has rake kits in stock of most all kinds and has sold to many of our members here at a great discount!
Yep.....ADVENTURE MOTORSPORTS...Bazooka/Randy.....He is the "BOSS" ( OK, there is a little redheaded BOSS here too, but doesn't have parts...:NanaNice
here at TRIKE TALK .com...I just recieved a Great Set of 6 Degree Ones this mornin' for my Wife's New VTX1300 Trike from Him...Top Quality, Super Nice Workmanship...Call Him Today.....ThumbUp :wtg:Private Message Zook here on the board or call him at (334)648-0157. He has rake kits in stock of most all kinds and has sold to many of our members here at a great discount!
Blondie Gal
Gone but not forgotten.
Re: Trike Rake Kit
:innocent: :Trike1: :wtg:
( OK, there is a little redheaded BOSS here too, but doesn't have parts...:NanaNice
:innocent: :Trike1: :wtg:
Rake Kit
I was told to look into a "RAKE KIT" for my Harley triglide 2010. Went to dealership today and they could not find one....is there anything wrong with this request or does one not exist for this model?
I was told to look into a "RAKE KIT" for my Harley triglide 2010. Went to dealership today and they could not find one....is there anything wrong with this request or does one not exist for this model?
- Admin
- #97
Re: Rake Kit
The TriGlides come pre-raked from the factory, but its a very conservative 2.75 degree, so they do steer a bit on the heavy side. A member here ordered a 5 degree rake kit form my put put on his TriGlide and we're waiting to see how much improvement is has made.
I was told to look into a "RAKE KIT" for my Harley triglide 2010. Went to dealership today and they could not find one....is there anything wrong with this request or does one not exist for this model?
The TriGlides come pre-raked from the factory, but its a very conservative 2.75 degree, so they do steer a bit on the heavy side. A member here ordered a 5 degree rake kit form my put put on his TriGlide and we're waiting to see how much improvement is has made.
Re: Rake Kit
Zook is absolutely correct....you're raked already. Somebody told you to go do what has already been done at the factory. I would avoid any further advice about anything this person suggest. They obviously don't know what they are talking about.Unless...you want to rake it a few more degrees.
Zook is absolutely correct....you're raked already. Somebody told you to go do what has already been done at the factory. I would avoid any further advice about anything this person suggest. They obviously don't know what they are talking about.Unless...you want to rake it a few more degrees.
Re: Rake Kit
THANK YOU for the info!!! Will enjoy the nice ride as is then
THANK YOU for the info!!! Will enjoy the nice ride as is then
Re: Rake Kit
hully......EVERYBODY is a Harley expert.....or so you would think. You will get all sorts of suggestions as you go and you will figure out who's on first.
Good Luck!
hully......EVERYBODY is a Harley expert.....or so you would think. You will get all sorts of suggestions as you go and you will figure out who's on first.
Good Luck!
Re: Rake Kit
Actually I'm not so sure that the trikes are raked. After I picked up mine a couple of months ago I visited a local custom bike builder to see about getting some new handlebars. We were talking and I mentioned that the front forks were raked and the trail changed. The mechanics said they have slightly longer front tubes and the trail is changed, but they don't appear to be raked. I checked the Harley website and if you look at the specs for the 11s and the 12s the rake on all the touring chassis is listed as 26 degrees. However, the trail is considerably different on the trikes. I did an internet search and I could only find one review of the 09 models when they were first being introduced that said the rake was different. But, the specs quoted were to far off from what Harley lists I doubt the information was correct. I can't find any other internet source that says the rake has been changed. The part numbers for the trike triple tree are 83374-09 for the lower and 83404-09A for the upper. Does anyone have a parts manual for the post 2009 touring bikes? If these part numbers are the same, that will answer the question.
Actually I'm not so sure that the trikes are raked. After I picked up mine a couple of months ago I visited a local custom bike builder to see about getting some new handlebars. We were talking and I mentioned that the front forks were raked and the trail changed. The mechanics said they have slightly longer front tubes and the trail is changed, but they don't appear to be raked. I checked the Harley website and if you look at the specs for the 11s and the 12s the rake on all the touring chassis is listed as 26 degrees. However, the trail is considerably different on the trikes. I did an internet search and I could only find one review of the 09 models when they were first being introduced that said the rake was different. But, the specs quoted were to far off from what Harley lists I doubt the information was correct. I can't find any other internet source that says the rake has been changed. The part numbers for the trike triple tree are 83374-09 for the lower and 83404-09A for the upper. Does anyone have a parts manual for the post 2009 touring bikes? If these part numbers are the same, that will answer the question.
Re: Rake Kit
The stock dresser frames have the same neck rake as the TG....26-degrees. The TG is raked by the trees and the overall rake of the TG is 32-degrees as opposed to the stock 2-wheeler rake of 29.25.
Ultraboy may chime in here, but he would be the first to say that it is very difficult and complicated to explain trail and rake. The TG fork-tubes are 1.75 inches longer which play into the equation.
Overall TG rake is 32-degrees and trail is 3.9 inches...offset is -1.
Stock dresser rake (overall) is 29.25 and trail is 6.2...offset is -2.5.
I do not know what the stock 2-wheeler PN's are, but they are different than the TG PN's. The TG is raked....but only moderately. I can tell you that when I put TG trees on my stock dresser conversion...steering went for the dump-truck range into the power steering range.
I cannot swear that Harley did anything different with the 2010 and the 2011, but I doubt it. Ultraboy was the "inventor" of the process of raking a stock Harley kitted dresser with TG trees and he deserves all the credit for the research and application. Many of us have used TG trees to rake HD kitted bikes.
The stock dresser frames have the same neck rake as the TG....26-degrees. The TG is raked by the trees and the overall rake of the TG is 32-degrees as opposed to the stock 2-wheeler rake of 29.25.
Ultraboy may chime in here, but he would be the first to say that it is very difficult and complicated to explain trail and rake. The TG fork-tubes are 1.75 inches longer which play into the equation.
Overall TG rake is 32-degrees and trail is 3.9 inches...offset is -1.
Stock dresser rake (overall) is 29.25 and trail is 6.2...offset is -2.5.
I do not know what the stock 2-wheeler PN's are, but they are different than the TG PN's. The TG is raked....but only moderately. I can tell you that when I put TG trees on my stock dresser conversion...steering went for the dump-truck range into the power steering range.
I cannot swear that Harley did anything different with the 2010 and the 2011, but I doubt it. Ultraboy was the "inventor" of the process of raking a stock Harley kitted dresser with TG trees and he deserves all the credit for the research and application. Many of us have used TG trees to rake HD kitted bikes.
Re: Rake Kit
Good information 1550vt. That makes sense. The Harley data is showing the frame rake and shows that it is the same for all touring models. The actual rake resulting from the triple trees I have not been able to find on the Harley website and it is not in the factory manuals. If we have a sticky thread with Harley specifications and data this should be added to it.
Good information 1550vt. That makes sense. The Harley data is showing the frame rake and shows that it is the same for all touring models. The actual rake resulting from the triple trees I have not been able to find on the Harley website and it is not in the factory manuals. If we have a sticky thread with Harley specifications and data this should be added to it.
- Admin
- #104
Re: Rake Kit
Harley plays it safe and errs to the very conservative side on their 2.75 degree raked TriGlide trees. Thats why many aren't sure their TriGlide is raked at all. I can tell you from selling/installing well over 100+ raked trees over the last 7 years (half of those this year), yes you can recognize an improvement from swapping to the TriGlide 2.75 degree trees on an un-raked FLH trike conversion, especially if you add the extended TG fork legs to level the trike out, but nowhere near the improvement a 4, 6 or even 8 degree tree will give you (yes CSC recommends an 8 degree FLH tree). The MoCo is slow to admit the need to make improvements (front drive pulley, reverse switch/motor, excessive heat, etc) but they eventually get it so I wouldn't be surprised to see Harley go to at least a 3.5 or 4 degree rake on the TriGlides in the future.
All of the trike conversion manufacturers who were recommending 3 degree trees in the past have gone to at least 4 degree rakes and up these days for the FLHs and the Goldwings, most recommend more. The longer, wider IRS tike kits obviously work better with the 5 degree and up kits, as thats what all the kit manufacturers are now recommending. The greater ease of steering between a 2.75 and a 5, 6 or 8 degree rake is very noticeable and their customers and mine are demanding the more aggressively raked kits for this reason.
Ultraboy was on to a good idea when he originated the TG tree swap back in 2008 as the cost of the TG trees, TG longer fork legs, seals, bushings, fluid, labor, etc was still somewhat less than the then price of $1095-$1195 + install for a billet rake kit, UNLESS a Harley Dealer did the swap and parts at retail, then it was about the same. Now that the billet tree prices have come down to $895-$995 from the factories and $695 from us here at TrikeTalk.com, its actually less expensive and less labor intensive to buy and install the raked billet trees and the finished product is a much more responsive trike since using the 4-8 degree trees reduces trail to the ideal 2-2.5 inches of trail sweet spot VS the 4 inch trail of the TG trees.
The members price of $695 includes 100% USA made 6160 aluminum billet trees, new hardened steel steering stem, new All Balls pre-lubed tapered bearings, races, dust seals, o-rings and billet fork tube extensions and don't require the purchase of new extended forks nor the time and labor to change out the fork tubes. Adding the new billet raked trees is a absolute NO BRAINER!
Harley plays it safe and errs to the very conservative side on their 2.75 degree raked TriGlide trees. Thats why many aren't sure their TriGlide is raked at all. I can tell you from selling/installing well over 100+ raked trees over the last 7 years (half of those this year), yes you can recognize an improvement from swapping to the TriGlide 2.75 degree trees on an un-raked FLH trike conversion, especially if you add the extended TG fork legs to level the trike out, but nowhere near the improvement a 4, 6 or even 8 degree tree will give you (yes CSC recommends an 8 degree FLH tree). The MoCo is slow to admit the need to make improvements (front drive pulley, reverse switch/motor, excessive heat, etc) but they eventually get it so I wouldn't be surprised to see Harley go to at least a 3.5 or 4 degree rake on the TriGlides in the future.
All of the trike conversion manufacturers who were recommending 3 degree trees in the past have gone to at least 4 degree rakes and up these days for the FLHs and the Goldwings, most recommend more. The longer, wider IRS tike kits obviously work better with the 5 degree and up kits, as thats what all the kit manufacturers are now recommending. The greater ease of steering between a 2.75 and a 5, 6 or 8 degree rake is very noticeable and their customers and mine are demanding the more aggressively raked kits for this reason.
Ultraboy was on to a good idea when he originated the TG tree swap back in 2008 as the cost of the TG trees, TG longer fork legs, seals, bushings, fluid, labor, etc was still somewhat less than the then price of $1095-$1195 + install for a billet rake kit, UNLESS a Harley Dealer did the swap and parts at retail, then it was about the same. Now that the billet tree prices have come down to $895-$995 from the factories and $695 from us here at TrikeTalk.com, its actually less expensive and less labor intensive to buy and install the raked billet trees and the finished product is a much more responsive trike since using the 4-8 degree trees reduces trail to the ideal 2-2.5 inches of trail sweet spot VS the 4 inch trail of the TG trees.
The members price of $695 includes 100% USA made 6160 aluminum billet trees, new hardened steel steering stem, new All Balls pre-lubed tapered bearings, races, dust seals, o-rings and billet fork tube extensions and don't require the purchase of new extended forks nor the time and labor to change out the fork tubes. Adding the new billet raked trees is a absolute NO BRAINER!
Re: Rake Kit
Zook and 1550vt. Thanks for the great info.
doug
Zook and 1550vt. Thanks for the great info.
doug
Re: Rake Kit
Dave (Ultraboy) Bickford did many of us a huge favor by mining-out the differences between the TG trees and the stock dresser trees and coming-up with the part numbers and the procedure. True enough, the TG trees do not provide as much rake as the aftermarket components can, but if you can perform the conversion yourself...the parts cost me around $377, but that was last year. I retained my front fork tubes and only purchased the trees and I can be a witness that the difference in just the installation of the TG tress alone resulted in a monumental improvement in both overall handling as well as ease of steering.
I certainly won't bash, or have a food-fight one way or another over rake kits and choices. It could very well be that more rake would result in yet another monumental step in handling/steering performance and the cost of either is close to a wash if you have to pay someone to do the conversion.
Ultraboy simply provided the un-raked Harley trike owners with a (almost) freebie that makes a world of difference. An aftermarket steeper rake kit may make very well make another world of difference. I don't know because I have never ridden a trike that was raked more than a TG.
I think the TG has many other problems that Harley needs to solve before they "invent" a steeper rake. That should be the least of their concerns.
Dave (Ultraboy) Bickford did many of us a huge favor by mining-out the differences between the TG trees and the stock dresser trees and coming-up with the part numbers and the procedure. True enough, the TG trees do not provide as much rake as the aftermarket components can, but if you can perform the conversion yourself...the parts cost me around $377, but that was last year. I retained my front fork tubes and only purchased the trees and I can be a witness that the difference in just the installation of the TG tress alone resulted in a monumental improvement in both overall handling as well as ease of steering.
I certainly won't bash, or have a food-fight one way or another over rake kits and choices. It could very well be that more rake would result in yet another monumental step in handling/steering performance and the cost of either is close to a wash if you have to pay someone to do the conversion.
Ultraboy simply provided the un-raked Harley trike owners with a (almost) freebie that makes a world of difference. An aftermarket steeper rake kit may make very well make another world of difference. I don't know because I have never ridden a trike that was raked more than a TG.
I think the TG has many other problems that Harley needs to solve before they "invent" a steeper rake. That should be the least of their concerns.
- Admin
- #107
Re: Rake Kit
Not bashing at all, just stating facts so folks can make an informed decision. It was a good option in back in 2008 when the Dave's article was written and posted here, as rake kits were much more expensive ($1000-$1195) and there were few options in rake degree angles, the most common at the time being a three degree, with only a couple of companies offering the 4s and 5s. As the years have clicked by a lot has evolved in trike technology and tens of thousands more trikes are on the roads today and most are running the far superior billet trees which offer a variety of rake at a much lower cost, as in $300-$500 cheaper!
At the $377 (wholesale parts price) you spent, you undoubtedly did not opt for the two $175 each TG extended forks which ups the price to $730, plus new fork seals and bushings required from the tear down another $97, the skirt another $35, thats $862 for a mere 2.75 degree rake kit! WHY??? Then add another $350-$500 labor for the tree install brings it to $1200-$1400 and thats still figuring buying the parts at wholesale, not counting tax or shipping. Pay a Harley shop to do it all, including retail for the parts (no Harley shop will sell you at discount) and its more like $1600-$1700 IF they will even do it for you and IF they can get the TriGlide trees within six months which had been about the average wait time from MOCO in the past.
As Dave stated himself in his article, "I will side step here quickly just to say that lengthening the forks on non-raked trees does not decrease trail, but lengthening the forks on raked trees does." So adding the minimally raked 2.75 degree TriGlide trees without the extended forks is not really accomplishing much since the trike is lowered by almost two inches in the front which is actually increasing the trail numbers, not decreasing it which is the whole point of adding raked trees in the first place.
As I said, installing a set of billet raked trees and fork extensions for $695 is IMHO a far better option TODAY considering not only the lower cost, but more importantly the fact that you can tailor the rake to your specific needs by choosing from a 4 through 6 degree rake, which does absolutely make a huge difference in reduced steering input and headshsake, which is a major safety concern. On top of that, you can still sell your take off trees and recover another $200 bringing down the cost to just $495. Its a NO BRAINER!
Not bashing at all, just stating facts so folks can make an informed decision. It was a good option in back in 2008 when the Dave's article was written and posted here, as rake kits were much more expensive ($1000-$1195) and there were few options in rake degree angles, the most common at the time being a three degree, with only a couple of companies offering the 4s and 5s. As the years have clicked by a lot has evolved in trike technology and tens of thousands more trikes are on the roads today and most are running the far superior billet trees which offer a variety of rake at a much lower cost, as in $300-$500 cheaper!
At the $377 (wholesale parts price) you spent, you undoubtedly did not opt for the two $175 each TG extended forks which ups the price to $730, plus new fork seals and bushings required from the tear down another $97, the skirt another $35, thats $862 for a mere 2.75 degree rake kit! WHY??? Then add another $350-$500 labor for the tree install brings it to $1200-$1400 and thats still figuring buying the parts at wholesale, not counting tax or shipping. Pay a Harley shop to do it all, including retail for the parts (no Harley shop will sell you at discount) and its more like $1600-$1700 IF they will even do it for you and IF they can get the TriGlide trees within six months which had been about the average wait time from MOCO in the past.
As Dave stated himself in his article, "I will side step here quickly just to say that lengthening the forks on non-raked trees does not decrease trail, but lengthening the forks on raked trees does." So adding the minimally raked 2.75 degree TriGlide trees without the extended forks is not really accomplishing much since the trike is lowered by almost two inches in the front which is actually increasing the trail numbers, not decreasing it which is the whole point of adding raked trees in the first place.
As I said, installing a set of billet raked trees and fork extensions for $695 is IMHO a far better option TODAY considering not only the lower cost, but more importantly the fact that you can tailor the rake to your specific needs by choosing from a 4 through 6 degree rake, which does absolutely make a huge difference in reduced steering input and headshsake, which is a major safety concern. On top of that, you can still sell your take off trees and recover another $200 bringing down the cost to just $495. Its a NO BRAINER!
Re: Rake Kit
I was not targeting anybody for a bashing Zook...I said I WOULD NOT bash either....and I don't. If a person had to pay to have either of these done...you are likely correct in your cost assumptions. And yes...once everybody caught onto the fact they could rake with the TG trees....they flew off the shelves.
Using the stock dresser fork tubes and the TG trees will lower the frame at the front end by about 3/16 to 1/4-inch...not enough to notice and vastly improve the handing, if that is all you do. Just this will also increase the wheel-base by 2-inches. I do not know where Dave took his measurements from, but I know where mine came from. Off my previously non-raked trike measured before the conversion and after the conversion. One can also reuse the existing brake lines as well. I certainly do not doubt that longer fork tubes and a more aggressive rake will also make a big difference.
The longer extended TG forks reduce the trail by 1/10th. of an inch. TG is a 3.9 and the hybrid with the stock forks and TG trees only is 4. About 2.5% and I don't think the longer forks are worth the money for such a small amount of difference.
I do know that mine handles 100% better with just the trees, but certainly do not doubt that it would handle even "more-better" with a rake kit.
I was not targeting anybody for a bashing Zook...I said I WOULD NOT bash either....and I don't. If a person had to pay to have either of these done...you are likely correct in your cost assumptions. And yes...once everybody caught onto the fact they could rake with the TG trees....they flew off the shelves.
Using the stock dresser fork tubes and the TG trees will lower the frame at the front end by about 3/16 to 1/4-inch...not enough to notice and vastly improve the handing, if that is all you do. Just this will also increase the wheel-base by 2-inches. I do not know where Dave took his measurements from, but I know where mine came from. Off my previously non-raked trike measured before the conversion and after the conversion. One can also reuse the existing brake lines as well. I certainly do not doubt that longer fork tubes and a more aggressive rake will also make a big difference.
The longer extended TG forks reduce the trail by 1/10th. of an inch. TG is a 3.9 and the hybrid with the stock forks and TG trees only is 4. About 2.5% and I don't think the longer forks are worth the money for such a small amount of difference.
I do know that mine handles 100% better with just the trees, but certainly do not doubt that it would handle even "more-better" with a rake kit.
- Admin
- #109
Re: Rake Kit
I think you are missing my intended message 1550. Dave had a great idea and at the time it was a less expensive option. I'm glad he shared the idea as it was a benefit to many at the time, just as the information I am sharing here, I believe to be a benefit now.
Also, I'm not saying there is NO change with the TG trees, I'm just saying that based on whats available NOW and for less money and less time invested, you can have a huge change in steering effort, smoother and better all balls tapered bearings and the choice of many different rake angles, depending on your specific needs. Some conversions work better with the steeper angle rakes, some only need a 4 or 5 degree. Some folks ride long, straight flats most of the time and some ride the twisties almost every day.
I'm not trying to preach to, or put a sales pitch on anyone, but Ive sold and installed many, many, many, rake kits for trikes of all kinds both through the shop and to members here on the board and I do know of what I speak. I've installed four rake kits in the past week, three GL1800s and one 08 Ultra Classic and none received less than a 4.5 degree rake. Two got 6 degree rakes. All were tickled pink!
I would like to add that I'm interested in raking a triglide with a 3 or 4 degree rake kit to see how it handles. Now if I can find a volunteer...
I think you are missing my intended message 1550. Dave had a great idea and at the time it was a less expensive option. I'm glad he shared the idea as it was a benefit to many at the time, just as the information I am sharing here, I believe to be a benefit now.
Also, I'm not saying there is NO change with the TG trees, I'm just saying that based on whats available NOW and for less money and less time invested, you can have a huge change in steering effort, smoother and better all balls tapered bearings and the choice of many different rake angles, depending on your specific needs. Some conversions work better with the steeper angle rakes, some only need a 4 or 5 degree. Some folks ride long, straight flats most of the time and some ride the twisties almost every day.
I'm not trying to preach to, or put a sales pitch on anyone, but Ive sold and installed many, many, many, rake kits for trikes of all kinds both through the shop and to members here on the board and I do know of what I speak. I've installed four rake kits in the past week, three GL1800s and one 08 Ultra Classic and none received less than a 4.5 degree rake. Two got 6 degree rakes. All were tickled pink!
I would like to add that I'm interested in raking a triglide with a 3 or 4 degree rake kit to see how it handles. Now if I can find a volunteer...
Re: Rake Kit
I understand Zook and it HAS been a while since I raked mine and I DID get the trees at discount prices. I don't even know what the prices are today. I may have been one of the very first that did this conversion. I know it was early on. I believe the price of the aftermarket rake kits have came down quite a bit as well. I would not wait 6-months for Harley parts if I wanted to rake one now. I would not wait 6-months for anything. The older you get the less waiting time is available!
I understand Zook and it HAS been a while since I raked mine and I DID get the trees at discount prices. I don't even know what the prices are today. I may have been one of the very first that did this conversion. I know it was early on. I believe the price of the aftermarket rake kits have came down quite a bit as well. I would not wait 6-months for Harley parts if I wanted to rake one now. I would not wait 6-months for anything. The older you get the less waiting time is available!
Rake installation
Since I'm new to this and want to have the raked forks installed on my 01 Valkyrie. Does anyone know who in Michigan I can take my trike to to have this done? I plan on having this done next Spring. Thanks..
Since I'm new to this and want to have the raked forks installed on my 01 Valkyrie. Does anyone know who in Michigan I can take my trike to to have this done? I plan on having this done next Spring. Thanks..
dirtdobber
Gone But Never Forgotten
Re: Rake installation
What trike kit do you have?
You can go to the maker of your kit site and find a local installer.
What trike kit do you have?
You can go to the maker of your kit site and find a local installer.
Re: Rake installation
It's a Motor Trike Kit.
It's a Motor Trike Kit.
dirtdobber
Gone But Never Forgotten
Re: Rake installation
Badger Cycle, Inc.
1351 S. Rapids Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220 USA
920-682-2127 Phone
Pro-Motor Sports
5900 North 32nd Ave
Wausau, WI 54401 USA
715-675-0822 Phone
Steve's Service Center, Inc.
N. 7431 Hwy 13
Phillips, WI 54555 USA
715-339-4656 Phone
Or email motor trike
Info@MotorTrike.com
Badger Cycle, Inc.
1351 S. Rapids Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220 USA
920-682-2127 Phone
Pro-Motor Sports
5900 North 32nd Ave
Wausau, WI 54401 USA
715-675-0822 Phone
Steve's Service Center, Inc.
N. 7431 Hwy 13
Phillips, WI 54555 USA
715-339-4656 Phone
Or email motor trike
Info@MotorTrike.com
- Admin
- #115
Re: Rake installation
Check with Chuck at Cad To Chrome. Hes a sponsor here in is located in Michigan.
Cad to Chrome
Check with Chuck at Cad To Chrome. Hes a sponsor here in is located in Michigan.
Cad to Chrome
rake kit question
i recently converted my 99 valkyrie standard with a roadsmith kit. i just returned from a 3,000 mile shakedown trip and have a question. i ask this question of roadsmith and got a generic answer that did not address the issue at all.
so here goes. roadsmith has gone to a 6 degree rake as standard for the valkyrie now. included in the kit are a couple fork extenders about 3 inches long, that screw into the tops of the forks.
with these extenders in the forks, the front of the trike is higher than the rear. i was always told trikes worked better when slightly raked, with the front slightly lower than the rear. no matter what setting i have the shocks on, even the very highest setting, the front is still higher than the rear.
a asked roadsmith about this in an e-mail. their answer was "yes we do put a fork extention in, and yes it is higher in the front" that was the entire answer.
so i will ask here. why the extention in the first place ? what will it effect if anything if i were to remove it ? handling ? steering ?
i am very happy with the kit, it rides 100% better than my CSC did on my old 1500 goldwing, and with the heavy duty sway bar, has no lean out in the corners. i think it looks a bit funky lower in the back than the front. i actually have about an inch or more clearence under the engine than i had when it was a two wheeler.
thanks in advance for your help, how about bazooka ? you are the guru, right ?
rodeo
i recently converted my 99 valkyrie standard with a roadsmith kit. i just returned from a 3,000 mile shakedown trip and have a question. i ask this question of roadsmith and got a generic answer that did not address the issue at all.
so here goes. roadsmith has gone to a 6 degree rake as standard for the valkyrie now. included in the kit are a couple fork extenders about 3 inches long, that screw into the tops of the forks.
with these extenders in the forks, the front of the trike is higher than the rear. i was always told trikes worked better when slightly raked, with the front slightly lower than the rear. no matter what setting i have the shocks on, even the very highest setting, the front is still higher than the rear.
a asked roadsmith about this in an e-mail. their answer was "yes we do put a fork extention in, and yes it is higher in the front" that was the entire answer.
so i will ask here. why the extention in the first place ? what will it effect if anything if i were to remove it ? handling ? steering ?
i am very happy with the kit, it rides 100% better than my CSC did on my old 1500 goldwing, and with the heavy duty sway bar, has no lean out in the corners. i think it looks a bit funky lower in the back than the front. i actually have about an inch or more clearence under the engine than i had when it was a two wheeler.
thanks in advance for your help, how about bazooka ? you are the guru, right ?
rodeo
dirtdobber
Gone But Never Forgotten
Re: rake kit question
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Re: rake kit question
Ooops I misread your post....You have already had the rake installed and have the 3" extensions..Me, Id just leave em in and not worry about it. Roadsmith goes with the 3 inchers due to their kits being a trailing arm type suspension (as does Hannigan) which normally jacks the back end up a bit more than the A-arm IRS and the solids anyway so the 3 inchers work pretty good on most of their applications. The 2" extensions arent going to make a great deal of difference handling wise either way on a 6 degree rake.
If you decide you want the 2 inch ones shoot me a PM and I'll send you a set.
Ooops I misread your post....You have already had the rake installed and have the 3" extensions..Me, Id just leave em in and not worry about it. Roadsmith goes with the 3 inchers due to their kits being a trailing arm type suspension (as does Hannigan) which normally jacks the back end up a bit more than the A-arm IRS and the solids anyway so the 3 inchers work pretty good on most of their applications. The 2" extensions arent going to make a great deal of difference handling wise either way on a 6 degree rake.
If you decide you want the 2 inch ones shoot me a PM and I'll send you a set.
Re: Rake installation
i found installing the rake kit to be easier than installling a tire. there really isn't much to it. why not save your money for gas and install it yourself?
i found installing the rake kit to be easier than installling a tire. there really isn't much to it. why not save your money for gas and install it yourself?
Frankenstein sells a raked 4 degree tree for a HD heritage with, I think 2" fork extensions.
A trail calculator says this will reduce the trail from 5.07" to 2.45".
Would a 4 degree rake without extensions be OK? The trail would then be 2.28".
or 5 degrees with no extensions would give 1,8".
I want to lower the front end an inch or so ( the rear will be lowered also).
What trail should I be shooting for?
A trail calculator says this will reduce the trail from 5.07" to 2.45".
Would a 4 degree rake without extensions be OK? The trail would then be 2.28".
or 5 degrees with no extensions would give 1,8".
I want to lower the front end an inch or so ( the rear will be lowered also).
What trail should I be shooting for?
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