I have a '95 Dyna Conv that I'm going to add rake to, change the front end to a wide glide and change from a 19 to a 21" wheel. When I go through the calculations to go to 36 degree rake, the trail increases to 7 inches. I understand it should be between 3 and 5 inches for best performance. If I get a triple tree with a 3 degree rake the trail goes to 4 inches. Does this all sound right? Has anyone done this?

 

It sounds about right. 4 inches is a good number; you'll enjoy the ride.

How much longer front end will the new one be?

 

Do what you said but ditch the trees. Raked tripple trees are bad, bad, bad. It's kind of hard to explain but inagine your steering stem. When you turn your steering stem is turning at a different angle than the front end. The wheel will move in a arc. It will lob up and over the steering angle. It's not natural. People do it to look cool without cutting their frame. At 7 degrees of trail you will have a much better ride than stock. I recomend going to a reputable shop and having them rake the frame to fit the front end you like. That is what I am doing. People get all freaked out about cutting their frame, but it's really pretty easy for someone that knows what they are doing. Good luck.

 

hi I own a 1987 fxlr custom had the motor remaned and it runs great now i'm thinking on putting chopper front end on it I saw it advertise in (www.harley-davidsonchopper.com) and was wondering if anybody done this to there bike and buy the kit through them.

 

7 degrees of trail will give you better straight line stability, but it will make the slow speed handling suffer. raked trees aren't all bad. They shouldn't be used on a stock rake frame as they will decrease the trail into the high speed wobble zone. But on a bike that has been raked the raked trees will bring the trail back into the correct area for all-around good handling.