Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
I have been thinking about adding raked triple trees to our trike but have yet to make the plunge.
Does anyone know the actual factory degrees of angle in the factory steering head on a 2001 Fatboy? Do the factory trees have any degree of added rake?
I would kind of like to play with the numbers and see what various degrees of rake would do to the geometry. Wish I had of paid more attention in geometry class all those years ago. HAHA
If you change the rake much I would think that you would have to extend the downtubes? Does anyone have any experience with this?
Our trike "scrubs" too much on a tight turn especially at high speed.
I'd appreciate a little advice on this if any has been down this road, might save me some heartache in the long run.
Does anyone know the actual factory degrees of angle in the factory steering head on a 2001 Fatboy? Do the factory trees have any degree of added rake?
I would kind of like to play with the numbers and see what various degrees of rake would do to the geometry. Wish I had of paid more attention in geometry class all those years ago. HAHA
If you change the rake much I would think that you would have to extend the downtubes? Does anyone have any experience with this?
Our trike "scrubs" too much on a tight turn especially at high speed.
I'd appreciate a little advice on this if any has been down this road, might save me some heartache in the long run.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 3
From: san antonio, tx
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
my train has 32 degrees of rake. i'm pretty sure the fatboy has th same rake. i went with 7 dgree trees and four over tubes. made a world of difference.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Dana NC.
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
I do not know what the factory rake is on the Sportster but we were advised to go with a 4 degree rake and it has turned the rig into a fun machine to ride. No problems on tight turns, andat times it is like power steering.
A big difference was seen on streight stretches of road. Before the rake you had to have a good grip onthebars, and now you have a light comfortable grip, not a strangle hold.
A big difference was seen on streight stretches of road. Before the rake you had to have a good grip onthebars, and now you have a light comfortable grip, not a strangle hold.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pine, Colorado
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
My 06 FLSTFI has 32 degree rake in the neck.....I'm installing a four and a half degree triple tree, two over tubes.
Don't sweat the math, there are several good calculators on the web. so you can figure where your trail will end up.
Here's a few http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
http://perseperformance.com/
Don't sweat the math, there are several good calculators on the web. so you can figure where your trail will end up.
Here's a few http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
http://perseperformance.com/
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
Sounds like going for the additional rake is the way to go. Did it create any other problems or anything that doesn't seem just right? I guess I want to be sure I don't trade one problem for another. It doesn't sound like I will.
I appreciate the replies.
Does anyone have a guess what new trees, tubes and labor will run to make a change like this?
I appreciate the replies.
Does anyone have a guess what new trees, tubes and labor will run to make a change like this?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Dana NC.
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
The final cost of the kit was $388.00 plus $88.00 labor then the dreaded tax, as we pay 6.75% here in NC which was $26.19 Total $502.00. I did not have to change the tubes
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 3
From: san antonio, tx
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
i got my trees from pro-one. they regularly have items that they will have on clearance. i got my trees for around $199. the tubes i got for around $150. the labor was done by myself and a friend. not hard at all. don't be afraid to tackle it yourself.
the raked treescaused absolutely no problems, whatsoever. just make sure you do all your homework and be sure before you buy.
the raked treescaused absolutely no problems, whatsoever. just make sure you do all your homework and be sure before you buy.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pine, Colorado
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
If you want to still use your Fatboy tins, you only have a few of options that I know of.
Liberty sidecars sells a 5 degree, its pricey around a grand.
I purchased a four and a half degree triple tree from Hog Halters for half that and they come with longer chrome fork cans and 2" down tube extensions. Very well made quility stuff...l
If you you dont want to keep the FB tins then you can go with more radical trees and longer tubes............But check your final trail measurment.....it will affect the way it steers big time......
Liberty sidecars sells a 5 degree, its pricey around a grand.
I purchased a four and a half degree triple tree from Hog Halters for half that and they come with longer chrome fork cans and 2" down tube extensions. Very well made quility stuff...l
If you you dont want to keep the FB tins then you can go with more radical trees and longer tubes............But check your final trail measurment.....it will affect the way it steers big time......
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
RE: Degrees of steering head rake on a 2001 Fatboy
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. I'll have to see if I can find some info on Hog Halters.
There is a place in North Denver that specializes in trikes and I need to talk to them to see what they may have or what I may obtain locally.
Just reading the responses and some of the web site, it sounds like about 4-5 degrees is middle ground and should be all the additional rake needed for the Fat Boy.
kydave
There is a place in North Denver that specializes in trikes and I need to talk to them to see what they may have or what I may obtain locally.
Just reading the responses and some of the web site, it sounds like about 4-5 degrees is middle ground and should be all the additional rake needed for the Fat Boy.
kydave