well i got the 69 xlh running and sort of on the road. just looking into some info about raking it. i really have no knowledge in this area so anything stupid i say, please ignore.
the bike currently has about 8" over front forks. i dont like the way the bike leans back, but i like the extended fork look.
so i was wondering what my options are. apparently there is some triple trees that give you a certain degree of rake. it seems to me there would be disadvantages in this. how much of a rake would i need to get the bike back to level? how much would getting the neck redone? also what are my other options when getting the frame re"necked" for lack of better vocabulary. ive heard of people extending the neck?


again any info you can provide would be great.

thanks,
-wes

 

First off, stay away from the typical raked trees. They are made to correct the trail in an already raked frame. There are some kits that use raked trees that are designed for the correct trail. In my ol' fart's opinion they look crappy 'cause the fork tubes and the frame neck are at different angles. It just doesn't flow, and looks like a clunky add-on.

8 inch over tubes on my rigid Sporty sat level with a 35 degree rake. But the frame had a little stretch, so that might make a diff in your case. 38 degrees might work about right, depending on the wheel/tire combo's diameter. Here's some links that might help:

http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisi...te2=yes#Actual Trail Calculator

http://www.kennedyschopper.com/

http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html

And finally, since you have a stock frame on one of the "primo" years for Sportsters, why not stick a set of stock tubes on it? Raking that frame will eventually seriously decrease the bike's value. If'n ya just gotta chop it, get an aftermarket frame. Don't get me wrong, I loves a chop, but they just ain't makin' those ol' beasties any more, and it's nice to see 'em preserved.

 

yes thats a good point with the stock frame. i have thought about getting an aftermarket frame. id really like something that used as much of the stock parts as possible but gave me a good rake, and extended legnth, but kept the rear suspension, or gave me a softail suspension.. i cant really find anything like this tho.

 

Have you checked what Mike has on his workshop. He knows ironheads [8D]
http://www.spchoppers.com/index.htm