...I don't think he believes us 
XXXXXX Glide front ends
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
You are correct, I didn't see or notice the rake difference when I swapped over to the Fat Bob tree, maybe I should have been a little clearer when I said that. I didn't visually see any difference when I installed the trees close to two years ago because I wasn't looking for the difference. I also haven't felt any differences while I ridden the bike since the swap.
I don't see where the double negative is, I can't verify something when I don't currently have access to to the item to verify it, I the bike is at my house and I am not.
(the triple part was for fun)
I was only trying to provide information I could verify from either both HD's web site, their parts manual and outside verifiable sources. Maybe I wasn't reading the info correctly. I was able to find that HD says there 2011 Fat Bob frame (PN-47760-10A) has 29 degrees of rake built into the neck (info from Ronnies HD Parts list). I also found that both HD compare option (2015 model, 2011 isn't offered to view on their site) and MotoUSA.com both say that the bike total rake is 29 degrees. Using basic math skill 29 in the neck and 29 overall says 0 difference.
"Using basic math skill 29 in the neck and 29 overall says 0 difference."
You have to get accurate information first
All those words in one hand vs a physical set of trees in mine ....hmm
Now, because I cannot physically prove that the tree doesn't in fact have negative rake, I can not say that FastHarley is incorrect or correct.
Btw, I said they were negative...FastHarley just gave it a value
Sorry OP, but there some good info in this
Feels like i'm playing poker and i have a Royal Flush
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
Although more difficult to detect the subtleties of the negative rake while installed, you can walk up to any Fat Bob (don't have to go home) and see it when you know what you're looking for. When uninstalled it's very obvious if you're accustomed to looking for Rake in Trees
Op, take the information as you please, trust it if you want. All I can say is that it's on the internet, so it isn't trust worthy regardless of who provides it.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
I have physical access, so I can verify.
If your talking about yourself... well, you shouldn't make contradictory statements if you can't verify or until you do verify. Questions and discussions are good
Bold contradictory statements without any back-up...Not Good 
Yes I did find the information on the internet with the manufacturers supplied information and I provided links to them for verification. If I can't trust the accurate information provided from the manufactures web site or their parts manual,who should I trust for it, should I trust their service manual to tell to service my bike correctly? We find tons of information on this internet provide site, should we trust any of it?
True, but I am limited on the amount of Fat Bobs out in the parking lot, to go look at, there aren't any out there. I actually only know one person that owns one and he is a weekend fair weather rider and I didn't see him today.
Op, take the information as you please, trust it if you want. All I can say is that it's on the internet, so it isn't trust worthy regardless of who provides it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I never said I didn't believe that the trees had a negative rake, only relayed information that I acquired from HD's provided information.
I was trying to also get an understanding of how HD says the neck is raked at 29 degrees on the frame and the steering rake is also at 29 degrees after the trees are installed. The rake having a negative one degree, as you guys say you have physically confirmed, would suggest that the steering rake would be at 28 degrees, one degree under the necks 29 degree rake or the necks rake is actually 30 degrees and the negative one degree brings it to the steering rake of 29 degrees. Maybe you can tell me which one is correct so I will know the correct answer.
Yes, I could have waited until I got home, pulled the fairing, all of its mounting hardware and headlight off my bike, put a magnetic angle finder on the neck and then the legs to compare the the actual angle difference and then given the OP an actual answer, but after almost a month of crappy weather, I decided to ride instead of ripping my bike apart.
Anyways, I am sure the OP has got the info he was after and hopefully it helps him out.
OP, I am sorry I tried to help, I was only trying to provide you an answer and provide where I got the answer from so you could verify it yourself. However, it's apparent that.those resources aren't reliable sources, well according to other forum members a least. Man, I sure hope you don't ever run into any electrical issues, those electrical schematics are provided by the same unreliable sources, it would really suck to have to wait for someone to tear their bike apart trying to get you a physically reliable answer.
I was trying to also get an understanding of how HD says the neck is raked at 29 degrees on the frame and the steering rake is also at 29 degrees after the trees are installed. The rake having a negative one degree, as you guys say you have physically confirmed, would suggest that the steering rake would be at 28 degrees, one degree under the necks 29 degree rake or the necks rake is actually 30 degrees and the negative one degree brings it to the steering rake of 29 degrees. Maybe you can tell me which one is correct so I will know the correct answer.
Yes, I could have waited until I got home, pulled the fairing, all of its mounting hardware and headlight off my bike, put a magnetic angle finder on the neck and then the legs to compare the the actual angle difference and then given the OP an actual answer, but after almost a month of crappy weather, I decided to ride instead of ripping my bike apart.
Anyways, I am sure the OP has got the info he was after and hopefully it helps him out.
OP, I am sorry I tried to help, I was only trying to provide you an answer and provide where I got the answer from so you could verify it yourself. However, it's apparent that.those resources aren't reliable sources, well according to other forum members a least. Man, I sure hope you don't ever run into any electrical issues, those electrical schematics are provided by the same unreliable sources, it would really suck to have to wait for someone to tear their bike apart trying to get you a physically reliable answer.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
My experience is limited to older bikes, 2001-2007, but I know the the angle of rake on a WG and LR is more than the SG making the tires further apart. The WG is also wider between the tubes. The extended rake makes the turning radius greater and handling is different in tight curves taking more force and lean to maintain the same turn radius as the shorter rake SG and Sporties.
Just based on my experience with riding a FXDWG and FXDL and FXD, the Low Rider and Wide Glide just don't snap in and out of tight curves like the Super Glide. What I experienced is that they tend to drift up and outside in curves more than my SG (it tends to drift down inside curves) and they are lower to the road and tend to scrape more when you really lean in a tight curve, (that'll get your attention when you are not expecting it!) and they are a little more cumbersome with slow maneuvering in parking lots, etc...but they do look Old-School sexy.
Just based on my experience with riding a FXDWG and FXDL and FXD, the Low Rider and Wide Glide just don't snap in and out of tight curves like the Super Glide. What I experienced is that they tend to drift up and outside in curves more than my SG (it tends to drift down inside curves) and they are lower to the road and tend to scrape more when you really lean in a tight curve, (that'll get your attention when you are not expecting it!) and they are a little more cumbersome with slow maneuvering in parking lots, etc...but they do look Old-School sexy.
Last edited by skinman13; Feb 21, 2016 at 08:28 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 273
From: Minnesota
Flex an torsion, the size of the tubes and their width to each other,, there's a lot more your missing if you think rake is the only variable that effects a factory set-up.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
The 2006 and up Wide Glides have a 34* degree neck and a 2* triple clamp. The other 2006 and up Dyna's have a 29* neck and 0* triple clamps, except the Low Riders which have 1 1/2* triple clamps. Also Harley's web site "only" lists the degrees of rake in the neck......"Rake (steering head) (deg)".
I'm not sure about the Switchback it is listed on Harley Davidson's website as Rake (steering head) (deg) 29.9 http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ck.html#!specs
DYNA 2006 and up:
Street Bob has a 29* frame neck with 0* triple trees
Fat Bob has a 29* frame neck with 0* triple trees
Low Rider has a 29* frame neck with 1 1/2* triple trees
Wide Glide has a 34* frame neck with 2* triple trees
Switchback has a 29.9* frame neck with ??* triple trees
Mid Glide to Wide Glide/Fat Bob width = 1 1/2" wider
Some info here:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motor...y-Davidson.htm
