Has anyone tried the 3 degree rake cups. If so how did you like them and how were they to install. If anyone has installed them and not rode with them please let me know your installation thoughts.
Thanks Randy

 

I too want to know the same thing. I am back and forth between the neck cups and a new set of trees. I think the bonus with the trees is that you can go more rake and you have the choice of mid or wide glide.

I'm leaning towards 5 degree mid-glide w/ 41mm tubes, but the cost is so much more than the cups.

 

what does the added rake do for a sportster not to ask a dumb question, its just a question cause I dont know

 

The reason I want to rake my wifes sporty is because we just triked it with a Frankenstein rearend. We live 11 miles out on a gravel road that sucks. I dislike the gravel road ride and have been on bikes most of my life. Lori has just learned to ride and I was scared to death for her. The trike handles well but would handle better if it were raked somewhat. The sporty handles well and very active on the twisties as the factory has it. There are several websites that explain the rake and trail theory, just google it. I just wonder how difficult it will be to get the bearing cups lined up properly. I have a feeling I will have to buy a set and report back......I have not found very many questions that are dumb by the way!!!!!!! Always better to ask than screw up with out advice...

 

Vulcan sells an install tool with theirs for $60 that i THINK helps yoiu line them up. Basically it's a piece of all-thread with machined cups that press the neck cups into place.

 

Raked cups increase the actual rake and the trail. That will make the bike track a bit better, but you'll give up a wee bit of maneuverability. Raked trees will increase the rake, but decrease the trail. That will make the bike handle "quicker", and may even cause a loss of high speed stability, depending on where the trail ends up.

Unless the front end geometry is designed for the raked trees, so that the trail isn't decreased into the "danger zone", raked trees shouldn't be used. What they are good for is to use on frames that have been raked. Raked frames result in increased trail, and a heavy, flop-prone front end at low speeds. Raked trees result in decreased trail. Installing raked trees on a raked frame brings the trail down and improves low speed handling, while retaining good high speed stability.

As noted, raked cups must be installed perfectly straight. Most of the better kits have good instructions to make sure you get them in straight.

 

Just ordered my 3 degree cups and install tool. I'll take lots of pics when they arrive and during the install.
If they slow down the handling too much, I'll order 3 degree trees and longer tubes to balance it out.

Stay tuned...

 

I recently installed the 3 degree cups from Vulcan. It really wasnt very difficult to install but you need a good press to get the old stem off the lower tree. Mine came out pretty easy but I had access to a 50 ton press. The new one goes in easier. I was worried about the lining up but had no issues and the bike tracks straight and handles really nice especially on the highway. The front end gets a different look because the extra space between the upper and lower tree. Also there was a clearence issue with the tank because the top tree is moved back a little. I made some spacers and lifted the front of the tank 1 1/2" and that helped the clearence. Overall I'm happy with it.