I want to add length to my fork tubes-
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 526
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From: WF-Texas!
I want to add length to my fork tubes-
I've been reading the forum about this. I have a 98 Superglide with stock rake. I want to buy some longer tubes- I think about 4" over the stock. I'm hoping to raise my front end up about 3", give or take. I was wondering and wondering about how this would change my trail, and whether it would give me the death-wobble. I found a trail calculator online,
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
and in one of the fields it asks what your fork length is, and then it says fork length doesn't effect trail. So what I want to know is whether or not this is true(I'm assuming it is, since this reputable website says so), and is there anything else I need to consider?
I have read several other posts that were basically shunned by responders. Apparently this is either a topic that is undiscussable, or maybe it's raised too often. Anybody who responds and sheds some light will be greatly appreciated.
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html
and in one of the fields it asks what your fork length is, and then it says fork length doesn't effect trail. So what I want to know is whether or not this is true(I'm assuming it is, since this reputable website says so), and is there anything else I need to consider?
I have read several other posts that were basically shunned by responders. Apparently this is either a topic that is undiscussable, or maybe it's raised too often. Anybody who responds and sheds some light will be greatly appreciated.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
adding 4 inches to your tubes wont hurt much..might look goofy but it wont effect the ride.. the problems are caused by raking the tree with a stock neck on the frame, the bike bends in a weird angle. instead of just turning left-right, it kind of swings in an ark like a fish tail. it eliminates any thought of frame geometry
Last edited by j1mmy; Mar 12, 2012 at 12:31 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 526
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From: WF-Texas!
Really, you think it would look goofy? I don't know- I just had the thought in my head, and then I put the front wheel on a couple of boards and it felt like a nice height. Maybe I can find a picture of a Superglide with only a 4" extension of the tubes to see if it's goofy looking.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,136
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From: san diego
we used to do it back in the 70's. it might be out of style nowadays, your bike do what tickles your fancy, "forking by frank" will make you any length you want and quality is tops google them
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 18,048
From: san diego
ya know if you throw some raked trees on and then extend the tubes it will give you the look you may be seeking. not more than 6* and you should be fine. you can figure out trail by the chart. won't hurt the handling that much. have 6* on the deuce and 3" over tubes and lowered it 2 inches and it really handles fine. I don't race it thru curves though, so if you want a donor organ death cycle kinda bike dont change anything, but if looking for that longer look this is a good way to go. there will be differing opinions coming, but that is mine
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,417
Likes: 56,983
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Frank is one of the best out there .... He's been doing it a long time and the quality is/was first class ... I have his tubes on my 79 FXEF ( 2' over tubes with a rake in the trees ) and they still look like brand new. ( They were put on in 1980 )
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,708
Likes: 17,550
From: Driftless Area
Anything over 2" should be raked. Without compensating for that much length, it will look goofy and handle like crap. Way back in the old days, the rule of thumb was no more than 1 3/4" rise on the bottom of the frame from back to the front.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,384
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From: Central Texas
It won't look goofy but I'd go with 6 inch insted of 4 you will get the look of the
1970s choppers and I would also use a raked triple tree
1970s choppers and I would also use a raked triple tree
Last edited by 6 gun; Mar 12, 2012 at 09:41 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
it would look fine.. im just voicing my exaggerated opinion.. i tried to buy a bsa goldstar when i was 14yo.. it was a stock bike with a 12" or so over fork..kind of looked like a rocketship. 4" is nothing.. it would be fine. i just like raging on the odd trends from the 70's
