I have seen several trikes with 5.5 rake kit.
Others have a 6.0 rake kit.
Are these the same rake, or is there minimul differance?
Others have a 6.0 rake kit.
Are these the same rake, or is there minimul differance?
Front end rake
- Thread starter MDGeorge
- Start date
Most seem to have somewhere between 4.5 and 6.0 degrees. The optimum can vary depending on your particular model of bike and trike kit.
Bazooka is a great one to know and recommend what is best for your particular trike. He also sells the rake kits to members at a significant discount if you are in the market for one.
Bazooka is a great one to know and recommend what is best for your particular trike. He also sells the rake kits to members at a significant discount if you are in the market for one.
There is a minimal difference, I personally thin 6.0 is overkill on a rake. I think the HD TG is a 3.0, which is very adequate if you have normal upper body strength. 5.0-5.5 is good as well, for easy sensitive steering.
I agree with AB I have a 3.5 and no problems, but if I were to have a do over I would go with a 4.5 to 5.5, just to help out as age creeps up, and the rumitis hits the shoulders.
Those rake numbers only mean the degrees past what is offered on the "stock from the factory" bike. An example of one is my bike, a 2002 Honda VTX 1800 C... it came from the factory with a 32 degree rake already...I added 6 degree (using a new triple tree that added 6 degrees) for a total rake of 38 degrees now. Different bikes may come from the factory with different rake settings in the first place so don't necessarily need the same added rake to make it work as another bike does...hence the different options. To know what will work for you, you almost need to try to ride a bike that's the same model as yours with whatever rake added... or go with the opinions of riders on sites like this. Hope this helps.
- Thread starter
- #6
Excellent info.
I think I have found the bike I want, 2008 GL1800. It has EZ steer, 5.5 degree kit.
The factory rake is 29.1.
Should be good. It is about 300 miles from me so I have not ridden it yet.
I think I have found the bike I want, 2008 GL1800. It has EZ steer, 5.5 degree kit.
The factory rake is 29.1.
Should be good. It is about 300 miles from me so I have not ridden it yet.
I have a 2002 Softail deuce, my friend just put a Frankenstein rear on it. It's really nice, however it has 6 degree rake on it and i find the front brake locks up as the front end is way too light now. Anybody relate?
Exactly my earlier point about overkill...If you put a damper on your front end, you could adjust the tension and make the steering a little stiffer, which I think would benefit you. Many on here suggest tightening the steering head nut....but I believe it puts too much pressure on the bearings to crank on that. If you want info on a damper and how to install it, let me know!
I have 4.5 on my and I think that 6.0 would be to easy to over steer.
The variable with rake is fork length. 5 degrees with 60 inch forks is going to put your front tire further ahead than 30 inch forks. The concept is to increase the distance the front tire is from the rear wheels. Further ahead means larger turning radius but less force needed to turn...
Thanks badass that's a good idea about the damper, I've had a 6 way adjustable damper before, but now I have to counter the locking up of the front wheel under heavy braking. I was told to look for a 2001 & up 16" wide heritage front wheel & do away with the 21" skinny wheel & buy a new fender.
- Admin
- #13
Making a blanket statement that a 5.5 or 6 degree rake is too much rake doesn't take all the variables into account. What is the year, make and model of the trike its going on? What trike conversion is it going on? In some cases a 6 degree is an excellent choice.
Zook I couldn't agree more. We did close to 600 miles a couple weeks ago with a strong cross wind all day and were back home by 5:30. I would have been worn out around the 400 mark on the old trike with a 2.5 rake. It did make a huge difference on this model of conversion, 2012 GL 1800 CSC Viper with a 6 degree rake. On a lighter, shorter coupled conversion it might be too much.ThumbUp
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I understand how the handling & steering effort changes, at speed, when a 4+ or 6+ tree is installed, but what about at low speed. How much harder is it when turning into a parking space at low speed or trying to turn when starting from a dead stop?
- Thread starter
- #17
I am going to ride Saturday in south Alabama where there are some semi-twisties. (I know, oxymoron). This will be the first challenge for the trike and I. (GW1800/CSC)
The bike has the 5.5 rake and I have practiced alot in the parking lot. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on it so far.
Saturday will be a big learning day for me and the trike. Really looking forward to it.
The bike has the 5.5 rake and I have practiced alot in the parking lot. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on it so far.
Saturday will be a big learning day for me and the trike. Really looking forward to it.
I rode the first 100 miles or so one up just to find the outer limits of my comfort zone. 25 K miles later, I'm still amazed at how well the trike handles the corners. I don't push it when riding with the copilot, her comfort zone in the corners and mine are a little different. Whenever I'm approaching her comfort zone, I get rapped on the backside of my helmet. Relax, enjoy the ride and never assume the cagers see you coming. ThumbUp
I have a 2002 H-D Softail, Deuce with a frankenstein kit on it. Can somebody please tell me the correct triple tree rake I should be using. I am 60 years old but have good upper body strength. I have M.S. & ride with my walker strapped to the rear. In my younger years I have owned many cycles & had 4 cycle/sidecars,2BSA's,Matchless,AJS but that was early 70's when you rode what it was! lol I also owned a Sportster trike with three rear wheels(like 2 training wheels) I like riding hard & rely on my front brake a lot.
What do you recommend for a 2004 Wing with a CSC conversion kit?
- Admin
- #21
I would recommend a 5 degree rake for your Deuce.
I would recommend a 6 degree rake for your GL1800 CSC.
:xszpv: :xszpv:
Remember, the point is to reduce trail. Cutting it in half from the stock two-wheeler spec is a good all around number in most situations.
Exactly, but after lots and lots of reading it surprises me how many people don't know what the result of fitting a XX rake kit actually is, what is the resultant trail measurement?
So far I have been told it needs to be 1/2" > 4" :Shrug:
Richard
Aba thanks, you advise 5 degrees rake but as I have already invested in an easy steer which has 6 degrees, to avoid my front end locking up I have been advised to get a 16" Heritage front wheel enabling me to put on a wider tire to give me more grip, is this a good idea?
are you saying you have to put in some muscle to steer trike. thanks
Rake is determined by many factors including wheelbase, weight, original suspension, etc. My RS is long wheel base and riding in the Arkansas twisties I appreciate the 6 degree rake I have. Yet, on the slab it doesn't oversteer or wander after a short acclimation period. There is no right or wrong answer. It's what works best for the individual.
rake kit
new on board, going to trike gl 1800 what rake kit should i order its for a roadsmith
- - - Updated - - -
new on this board. would like to know what rake kit to buy for gl1800
- - - Updated - - -
for got its for a roadsmth kit
- - - Updated - - -
new on this board. would like to know what rake kit to buy for gl1800
- - - Updated - - -
for got its for a roadsmth kit
- Admin
- #30
Re: rake kit
I would recommend a 6 degree rake kit for your Roadsmith.
I would recommend a 6 degree rake kit for your Roadsmith.
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