Rake Increase
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
RE: Rake Increase
I started with stock 32º frame and 0º trees. I then added 3º cups and a FXST front end which comes stock with 3º rake in the trees. For an after picture just look above at my last post. Yes the neck post is longer by about 1". I purchased the kit from 2orangeharleys on ebay, it came complete with bearings, bearing races, cups, lower dust cover, snap ring and longer neck post. They come with pretty good instructions. However, I would suggest that you put the post in the freezer for a couple days, warm up the lower tree and press out the old post. Grab the one out of the freezer ond press it back in. Oh, did I say 10Ton press?
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
RE: Rake Increase
You may be right..... I bought a 2000 fxst front end from ebay and the seller told me it was 3º, same as the dyna wide glide. There is a noticable rake but I did not measure it, so, you may be right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Rake Increase
ORIGINAL: ameristo
Traveler, with all due respect, I think you mean raked cups will increase trail and raked trees will decrease trail.
Case in point; I have an 04 Lowrider stock with 32º neck and 0º trees 5.1" trail. They used the same frame with the Wideglide but added 3º trees and 2" longer front end to reduce the trail to 3.7"
I added 3º raked cups for a total frame rake of 35º and a wide glide front end with 3º raked trees for a total rake of 38º. From my personal experience I have had this bike up to 115mph with windshield on and it is as soilid as a rock.
There are several factors determining trail. ie. neck rake, tree rake, length of front end, tire size, and even the heigth of the rear (dropping the rear, or raising the front increases the total angle of the frame.)
Before changing the geometry of any motorcycle it has been suggested that research be conducted. I concur. The following link has excellent calculators to help you play with the numbers before you invest those bucks.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html
[IMG]local://upfiles/6102/918C11CB718441E5A86B386620B421A7.gif[/IMG]
Traveler, with all due respect, I think you mean raked cups will increase trail and raked trees will decrease trail.
Case in point; I have an 04 Lowrider stock with 32º neck and 0º trees 5.1" trail. They used the same frame with the Wideglide but added 3º trees and 2" longer front end to reduce the trail to 3.7"
I added 3º raked cups for a total frame rake of 35º and a wide glide front end with 3º raked trees for a total rake of 38º. From my personal experience I have had this bike up to 115mph with windshield on and it is as soilid as a rock.
There are several factors determining trail. ie. neck rake, tree rake, length of front end, tire size, and even the heigth of the rear (dropping the rear, or raising the front increases the total angle of the frame.)
Before changing the geometry of any motorcycle it has been suggested that research be conducted. I concur. The following link has excellent calculators to help you play with the numbers before you invest those bucks.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html
[IMG]local://upfiles/6102/918C11CB718441E5A86B386620B421A7.gif[/IMG]
By using both, I will still have 3.5 inches of trail....which is shorter than stock, but still has enough trail, to where it won't end up killing you! Keep in mind that a Superglide has a 28 degree neck versus the 32 for a Lowrider, so the "computations" will be completely different.
~Joe
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Rake Increase
You can buy forks with 3 degree raked trees on eBay any day of the week....very common. I bought my Rick Doss forks for under 500 bucks...and they retail for $750 + !!!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
RE: Rake Increase
Hey Traveler, let me know how that front end does for you. I have the stock HD 41mm WG on mine and a 1.5" tank lift. I'm afraid if I went any higher it would hit the tank. Also I wanted custom front trees but 1. I was not sure if you would have to have a longer neck stem machined or if they furnish it. 2. The stock trees are cut out and they fit mighty close to the tank as it is. I was not sure about the clerance between the tank and trees.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 19
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Rake Increase
The Seeger Cycles kit is a 13 degree kit, that uses the 39mm fork tubes, and the trees are aluminum. The AME kit has a 41mm fork tube option, is available in 9 degree, 14 degree, and 18 degree variants. Also of note, is the AME trees are chromed steel.
~Joe
~Joe