rakin the front
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 203
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From: Defiance Ohio
rakin the front
I go out into the garage to have a smoke and stare constantly at my sporty. I've been having the dilema of what to do first as far as customizing. I'm getting in on the group buy and going to buy some chrome switch housings and master cylinder. (I can hear skip now). Anyhoo, how would I go about adding some distance between the frame and front end. I don't want the front end raised up as some bikes with rake have, looks redneck to me. I guess what i want is a level bike with some rake. I don't really want a chopper but just a smooth look with length. Any help?
RE: rakin the front
You're talking some major modifications with definate handling changes. I'm not sure if I would modify my frame or order one with the specs you are looking for. Either way, you're gonna have to be one hell of a wrench.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
Terry
Good Luck and keep us informed.
Terry
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Defiance Ohio
RE: rakin the front
I've heard somewhere that you could put a dyna front end on it? Is this possible on a sporty? wouldn't that give is some space and not raise the front end too much?
kelly
kelly
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: jacksonville, nc
RE: rakin the front
a superglide front end is basiclly the same as the sportster. if there is any difference it would be fork tube length. pretty much the only way to rake the front end is to do it by modifying the frame which will be expense on the order of 1200 plus. they do make raked trees for sportys but the jury is still out ive heard theyre safe and ive heard theyre dangerous, really dont know myself but the v-rod comes from the factory with a 3 degree raked tree, so my question why is it not safe for sportys. anyway they start at about 350 and go up from there, one more thing is they sell raked cups on ebay that allows the stem to go through the neck at an angle, i dont think id give that one a second thought! good luck!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
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From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: rakin the front
ORIGINAL: kel1200
I think i stare at my bike too much
I think i stare at my bike too much
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,437
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From: TEXAS!!!!
RE: rakin the front
ORIGINAL: Clammy
Nah, there's no such thing as "too much" when it comes to that!
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
ORIGINAL: kel1200
I think i stare at my bike too much
I think i stare at my bike too much
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 203
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From: Defiance Ohio
RE: rakin the front
I ride it as much as possible!! It's just when i get off or go to the garage to have a smoke i stare at it for an hour at a time thinking about what i should do to it. It mesmerizes me! I love the bike and have a million kajillion bazillion things I want for it. The possiblities seem endless with a harley.
kelly
kelly
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: rakin the front
ORIGINAL: mikeisglidn
a superglide front end is basiclly the same as the sportster. if there is any difference it would be fork tube length. pretty much the only way to rake the front end is to do it by modifying the frame which will be expense on the order of 1200 plus. they do make raked trees for sportys but the jury is still out ive heard theyre safe and ive heard theyre dangerous, really dont know myself but the v-rod comes from the factory with a 3 degree raked tree, so my question why is it not safe for sportys. anyway they start at about 350 and go up from there, one more thing is they sell raked cups on ebay that allows the stem to go through the neck at an angle, i dont think id give that one a second thought! good luck!!
a superglide front end is basiclly the same as the sportster. if there is any difference it would be fork tube length. pretty much the only way to rake the front end is to do it by modifying the frame which will be expense on the order of 1200 plus. they do make raked trees for sportys but the jury is still out ive heard theyre safe and ive heard theyre dangerous, really dont know myself but the v-rod comes from the factory with a 3 degree raked tree, so my question why is it not safe for sportys. anyway they start at about 350 and go up from there, one more thing is they sell raked cups on ebay that allows the stem to go through the neck at an angle, i dont think id give that one a second thought! good luck!!
Notice the 1st pic is what a "normal" front setup would look like. It has a positive 3.5 inches of trail, an OK amount.
Notice the 2nd pic has raked trees and zero trail. If the trees were raked further, it'd have negative trail. Either case is a big no-no. You'll get up to cruising speed and the front end will go into a death wobble. Often the only way to recover is to fall down.
The 3rd pic also has positive trail, and will be more stable than the 1st at highway speeds.
Raked trees are usually a bad thing on stock frames because of ending up with too little or even negative trail. But that doesn't apply to every situation. Certain frames will have an amount of rake that will allow raked trees to work. If you look at the V-Rod it looks like it has quite a bit of rake. That amount of rake in the frame would create a slow handling bike because of too much trail. Installing raked trees, or raked cups, will decrease the trail to an amount that will allow quicker handling, without going into the negative trail region.
And that is the purpose of raked trees and cups; to give that raked out look while keeping trail at a reasonable amount to give good low speed handling. If you choose to install them on a stock, unraked frame, you'd better be able to do the math to make sure you have sufficient trail.
Look at my avatar. It is my '72 XLCH with 7/8 inch rake (don't know what degrees that equals) and allowed the use of 15 inch extended forks, while still keeping the bike pretty level. It also drove like Red Sovine's tractor-trailer in "Give Me Forty Acres, and I'll Turn This Rig Around"! Raked trees would've been a big help.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,437
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From: TEXAS!!!!
RE: rakin the front
I couldn't find it but somewhere on this forum is a link for a sportster chopper kit that supposedly still rides like it's stock. If you do a better search than I did you should be able to find it.