When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
For starters Raked trees are not the best idea... as they Reduce Trail Numbers..sometimes dangerously..
If you want longer look...go ahead and use Raked trees then 3 degree Cups in neck to bring trail numbers back..
It will work, but steering will be a bit heavy..
Yes FXWG trees are Raked, and Shovel FLH trees are De-raked...and I thought Softail trees were neutral... tho I may be wrong on the softail...
Since swapping a front end is extremely easy why not just swap it and see what happens?
All you really need to do is ride it easy for a bit to make sure it is rideable and get yourself used to the new configuration.
Since both front ends come from softails and the softail frames are the same I can see no problems with what you want to do.
Since swapping a front end is extremely easy why not just swap it and see what happens?
All you really need to do is ride it easy for a bit to make sure it is rideable and get yourself used to the new configuration.
Since both front ends come from softails and the softail frames are the same I can see no problems with what you want to do.
Yes... But, Be very careful... more than one unsuspecting experimenter has been Spit Off even after said Test run...
A protractor and string-bob, is all it takes to check Effective Rake... Placed against the fork and the String-bob will show the degrees
string down from axle, and a Long stick...even a long Florescent bulb against the Neck will give trail Numbers... I like about 3 to 4 inches... but...
Look at the chopper handbook online... can't give you a link cause that is taboo
The large trail is like My Dragbike, while the Stock looking setup is more like an FXR.. the Negative trail is Unsafe... Period...
but imagine as much rake in the Neck [using rake Cups] as in the trees, and you see what I'm saying about getting longer while maintaining good trail numbers...If done Correctly... again Be Careful... this is Not a Good place to Experiment... don't ask how I know!!!!!
Last edited by Racepres; Mar 31, 2020 at 10:41 AM.
Yes... But, Be very careful... more than one unsuspecting experimenter has been Spit Off even after said Test run...
A protractor and string-bob, is all it takes to check Effective Rake... Placed against the fork and the String-bob will show the degrees
string down from axle, and a Long stick...even a long Florescent bulb against the Neck will give trail Numbers... I like about 3 to 4 inches... but...
Look at the chopper handbook online... can't give you a link cause that is taboo
The large trail is like My Dragbike, while the Stock looking setup is more like an FXR.. the Negative trail is Unsafe... Period...
but imagine as much rake in the Neck [using rake Cups] as in the trees, and you see what I'm saying about getting longer while maintaining good trail numbers...If done Correctly... again Be Careful... this is Not a Good place to Experiment... don't ask how I know!!!!!
I would agree with you except in this case all he is doing is swapping an OEM FXST front end to an OEM FLSTF frame.
Both front ends are OEM and both frames are OEM softail so I don't see a problem one with simply swapping the front ends.
Now if he was assembling a custom front end then I would agree with you completely.
Why not just get longer tubes and use your existing components? Strip off the nacelle and cow bells and be on your way? Just a thought.
I thought about doing just that but because of the offset on the OEM trees it would put my trail way over 6 inches which isn't good either, therefore I have to go with a standard triple tree of two and a half inch offset and then I can put the two or four inch over tubes on it that I would like to. Also because of my front rim and tire that I put on there a couple years ago, it actually increased my rake to 5.8". So if I go to a tube that's longer it's going to put me well over 6", That's why I have to make the changes to the triple trees..
Edit.. Have you seem the OEM trees...? They need to be covered up... Lol..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Mar 31, 2020 at 08:42 PM.
For starters Raked trees are not the best idea... as they Reduce Trail Numbers..sometimes dangerously..
If you want longer look...go ahead and use Raked trees then 3 degree Cups in neck to bring trail numbers back..
It will work, but steering will be a bit heavy..
Yes FXWG trees are Raked, and Shovel FLH trees are De-raked...and I thought Softail trees were neutral... tho I may be wrong on the softail...
Softail trees are Nuetral but the offset is very low., So any lengthening of the tubes will create to much trail.. softails have a lot to begin with.
Originally Posted by texashillcountry
Since swapping a front end is extremely easy why not just swap it and see what happens?
All you really need to do is ride it easy for a bit to make sure it is rideable and get yourself used to the new configuration.
Since both front ends come from softails and the softail frames are the same I can see no problems with what you want to do.
I thought about doing that but with the numbers where they are because of the 3* raked trees I didn't want to waste my time.. still need to so a little more research but will most likely make a decision on Wednesday..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Mar 31, 2020 at 08:57 PM.
By the way, I put on a set of buck horns today... Love them bars... Had a little bit of a time with the switch wiring because the OEM bars have detents to protect the wiring . The older Buck Horns do not. So I had to cut recesses into the controls clamps to alleviate the chance of a short.. I'll post up some pics tomorrow...
I never heard of Too much Trail... Big trail numbers is what makes the steering heavy... but rock solid at speed.. hence the 45 degree Rake on our Dragbike..
I would, again, 3 degree cups [out, not in] with 3 degree [out not in] trees... long and Stable!!! actually the 3 in the tree, will offset the 3 in the Neck [cups] and it is basically a long version of Stock!!!!
Go look at the GIF again....
This is the front end I'm contemplating. Motorway engineering sells them. Also known as Vulcan Engineering @ vulcanworks.net. They use OEM 2000 up lowers. Which is nice because of the better calipers than what we have to endure.. They say they set the trees up to 0 rake.. so the only thing I'll need is a caliper, a new fender and a new headlight.. definitely thinking the 2" over on the tubes. My trail will still be up around 6.0". But that depends on the triple tree offset.. Currently my Fatboy has an offset of 1.36". If the new front end has more offset then it will bring down the trail a little but I don't think I'll feel the difference....
and here's a pic of my new Buck Horns... Took the bike out for a quick ride and man these old school bars feel awesome... Love it...
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Apr 1, 2020 at 05:07 PM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
