I have the 2004 Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster. Im interested in raking it out just enough to give it that chopper look without compromising stability/control. what would be the best triple tree in degree

 

You need to figure out how long of tubes you want to go with. As for the trees there so many out there with what ever rake you want . Using a string line and some help you can get a good idea of what the end results will be. It is how the rake effect trail that can made them a bear to ride slow. Don't over do it. Keep in mind when you see numbers like 30 Degree rake they are including the rake in the frame already. Example HD touring bikes have 26 Degree rake the day you buy it so when you add ed 6 degrees it is a 32 degree rake. Good luck enjoy you adventure. Do the home work understand what you are getting into

http://www.chopper-kit-usa.com/harle...cycles_new.htm

http://www.thompsonchoppers.com/rake...il-calculator/

 

If you're going increase the rake in your front end do it right. Rake the frame NOT the trees. Raked trees are not new. They've been causing problems for people since back in the 70's. Just like welded Z bars.

 

Raked trees work just fine and 100% safe. Once you cut the frame the bike will likely be worthless. If you know what you want and willing to risk losing any value the bike has got go for it. We use raked trees for sidecars all the time Trikes use them.
Even the TriGlide has the standard Touring bike rake of 26degrees they get 6 more from a raked tree. What ever way you go enjoy the build and post you progress.

 

^^^^ Now then three wheels don't drive anything like two wheels do they? But hey, to each their own. I was under the impression that more trail was good and less trail was bad.



Personally I'd never own a two wheeled motorcycle with trees raked severely "enough to give it that chopper look" like the OP is after. Furthermore, I never lost a dime on any bike I built with a raked frame. I'm just sayin'.

 

Raked trees do not work just fine and are not a safe mod for 2 wheeled applicaction. Rake and trail are VERY important, and need to be measured and built into the assembly correctly and accurately. If you want a chopper, either buy a frame with the desired look and measurements or consult a highly rated and well known frame shop to modify what you have. Just installing raked trees and longer tubes is NOT the answer.
m

 

What did the chopper guys in the old days do ?...b.

 

Lengthen the backbone and the legs then kick out the neck.
h

 

Raked front ends started long ago with the drag bikes. They understood the need for straight, stable tracking at high speed and knew that rake and trail was the way to get it. The chopper guys thought it looked badass and made it look even badder by incorporating extended forks. The rest is history.