frame chopping

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Nov 14, 2005 | 09:57 PM

#11

pococj

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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: frame chopping

Thud, ya gotta be really careful putting on a set of raked trees on a stock frame. Very easy to end up with too little trail, or even in a negative trail situation. I always run the numbers to make sure the trail stays in the 4 - 6 inch range. Seldom recommend a set of raked trees, except to correct for too much trail after raking a frame.

Nov 16, 2005 | 03:03 PM

#12

ThudMeister

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,810

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From: Escondido, Ca.

RE: frame chopping

Thanks pococj. Honestly I have never used raked triple trees but know those who have and like them. What you say makes sense for sure, for non-springers especially. Is there a link for info on the calculations you use? I have seen them somewhere but can't remember where.

Nov 16, 2005 | 08:28 PM

#13

pococj

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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: frame chopping

Here's several for you.

http://www.kennedyschopper.com/
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisi...te2=yes#Actual Trail Calculator

Nov 17, 2005 | 02:32 PM

#14

ThudMeister

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Escondido, Ca.

RE: frame chopping

Thanks for the links. My custom numbers are as follows:

Front Tire Dia - 27.6 in
Steering Neck Rake - 38 deg
Triple Clamp Offset - 1 in
Fork Length - 37 in
Triple Tree Rake - 0 deg

So according to the calculator on http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
my Trail is 9.51 inches. Is this too much? What would be the symtoms?

If I add 3 deg or Triple Tree Rake, my trail drops to 7.06

The bottom of my frame is not level, the front of the bottom tubes are about 2 inches higher
than the back. Adding the tripple tree rake would help flatten that out too eh?

Dec 18, 2005 | 01:39 PM

#15

traveler

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 12,946

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From: Colorado Springs, CO

RE: frame chopping

My old Kawasaki chop had 34 degrees in the frame, and i put 7 degree trees on it. Can't remember what the trail was, but it rode GREAT!!! Looked good with 41 degrees total! Not much for turning radius though.....[

]

joe

Dec 18, 2005 | 05:15 PM

#16

8 UP

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 181

Likes: 0

From: Amelia, Ohio

RE: frame chopping

I think the 80 FLT had a 5 speed.
The FLH was made until 84 (4 speeds).
3 degree trees (from a FX) and 4" tubes would work just fine, this look good with a 16" wheel as well as a 21" (the 21 will rase the front a little), this will give you a tril of 4" to 5", just right.
There is still a lot of stuff that you can get for the old 4 speed bikes. Just be awhare of quality, some supplers sell "cheep junk" (not the price, the quality).
Best of luck
8-UP

Dec 18, 2005 | 08:29 PM

#17

pococj

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Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 11,068

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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: frame chopping

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ThudMeister

Thanks for the links. My custom numbers are as follows:

Front Tire Dia - 27.6 in
Steering Neck Rake - 38 deg
Triple Clamp Offset - 1 in
Fork Length - 37 in
Triple Tree Rake - 0 deg

So according to the calculator on http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
my Trail is 9.51 inches. Is this too much? What would be the symtoms?

If I add 3 deg or Triple Tree Rake, my trail drops to 7.06

The bottom of my frame is not level, the front of the bottom tubes are about 2 inches higher
than the back. Adding the tripple tree rake would help flatten that out too eh?

9 inches is past what is considered optimum for low speed handling, but it'll track like a locomotive on straight rails! Adding some rake in the trees would bring you closer to level and reduce the trail some, as you pointed out. 7 inches is still past optimum, but not too bad.

Dec 19, 2005 | 02:32 PM

#18

ThudMeister

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,810

Likes: 1

From: Escondido, Ca.

RE: frame chopping

Quote:

ORIGINAL: pococj

9 inches is past what is considered optimum for low speed handling, but it'll track like a locomotive on straight rails! Adding some rake in the trees would bring you closer to level and reduce the trail some, as you pointed out. 7 inches is still past optimum, but not too bad.

Thanks skip, sounds like a plan.