? about new triple tree
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I see you have a few looks and no responses. I'm guessing based on your relative newness to the forums, and the type of question asked that people might be skeptical. But, what the heck...I'll jump right in. First, you can't throw 7 degree triple tree's on a motorcycle and just drive away. You will get steering wobble and most likely crash due to the reduced trail numbers. So the answer is NO, you cannot bolt on a 7 degree set of tree's and safely ride your bike. That being said, there are a couple of companies who make "chopper" kits like Seeger and AME that does add a type of raked tree while doing the wide conversion as well. These kits are not simply raked trees, but actually change the steering head angle safely and the bikes ride decent. But these kits cost $1,700, look a tad weird and for some reason are ostracized buy many people as being fake choppers. I have ridden the kits on Sporties and actually like them. But like I said, they are expensive and do look a little funny. So there you go, thats my answer.
http://www.seegercycle.com/sportster-chopper-kits.aspx
.
http://www.seegercycle.com/sportster-chopper-kits.aspx
.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Oct 16, 2010 at 11:49 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 11
From: Wheeling, WV
My Softail came with a 6 degree triple tree and 4 inch over tubes. The bike looked great and rode it for over a year in that configuration.
The above response is correct, late last year just before the winter set in I was coming off the exit ramp and hit a dip in the highway and lost control of the bike due to the wobble in the front end, at 57 years old and 50 MPH I thought I meet Jesus! I spent the winter converting back to the factory specs. Good luck with your decision.
The above response is correct, late last year just before the winter set in I was coming off the exit ramp and hit a dip in the highway and lost control of the bike due to the wobble in the front end, at 57 years old and 50 MPH I thought I meet Jesus! I spent the winter converting back to the factory specs. Good luck with your decision.
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Stage III
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: MAINE
First things first, thank you "bikerlaw" and "mdanehart" for responding! I know I am new to this forum, but I just got my first Harley.... so that is why I am new to this forum. I appreciate all the responses, but I am still stuck because I really want to extend my forks a little bit. My front tire seems too pulled in. "Mdanehart"... do you have any pics of your bike back when it had the 6 degree rake?
Are there any other options, like longer tubes, that would give me a slight more of a raked look, but without looking like a fake chopper AND being safe is priority #1? Thanks so much, Nick.
Are there any other options, like longer tubes, that would give me a slight more of a raked look, but without looking like a fake chopper AND being safe is priority #1? Thanks so much, Nick.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
People put 3 degree tree's on bikes all the time without issues. Harley's have 2 1/2 or 3 degree trees on every Wide Glide to leave the factory. Heres a calculator that helps when changing the geometry.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
If you have to have 6 degrees and will not cut the frame, people have added 3 degree tree's which reduces a little trail then added raked neck bearing cups, which add a little trail back and bolt on 6 over tubes. I have never done it, but it has been done that way. Just remember, everything costs money. I have watched, and been guilty countless times of modifying my bike in such a way I thought was quicker and easier than what some considered "the right way", and in the end, it cost more and was never as nice. In a case where raking was the issue, before I bought trees, raked cups and so on, you might check with a few local shops and see what they might charge to cut and re-weld your neck to the exact configuration that would make you happy. The shop by me just did one for $600 for a guy. And looks very nice. Just mentioning it.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
If you have to have 6 degrees and will not cut the frame, people have added 3 degree tree's which reduces a little trail then added raked neck bearing cups, which add a little trail back and bolt on 6 over tubes. I have never done it, but it has been done that way. Just remember, everything costs money. I have watched, and been guilty countless times of modifying my bike in such a way I thought was quicker and easier than what some considered "the right way", and in the end, it cost more and was never as nice. In a case where raking was the issue, before I bought trees, raked cups and so on, you might check with a few local shops and see what they might charge to cut and re-weld your neck to the exact configuration that would make you happy. The shop by me just did one for $600 for a guy. And looks very nice. Just mentioning it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
To the OP's point........
The FXR is probably the best handling bike HD ever made. Doing this geometry change will F that up. The safest way to make any change there is to do it at the neck by an expert, not with the trees or cups.
Sometimes, Form MUST follow Function................unless you are building a trailer queen.
The FXR is probably the best handling bike HD ever made. Doing this geometry change will F that up. The safest way to make any change there is to do it at the neck by an expert, not with the trees or cups.
Sometimes, Form MUST follow Function................unless you are building a trailer queen.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
I used to have a FXRS a 1992 model,the rake on that was 29% as i recall
and took it out to 32% by just changing the trees,without any problems,but as has been said going out any further you need to do it from the frame,making sure you get the trail correct or your going to have handling problems.
and took it out to 32% by just changing the trees,without any problems,but as has been said going out any further you need to do it from the frame,making sure you get the trail correct or your going to have handling problems.
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