Deraking a softail
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I'm curious if you could replace the front mounting bushings with thinner ones or cut the thickness down...this would pull the shock farther forward an raise the rear height. I read what ever change you make doubles the change is ride height...reducing the gap in front of the shock half an inch would raise the rear 1". this would help with your ground clearance concern...or maybe a taller side wall tire (which might not be great for aggressive riding). if that works you could get some progressive shocks or get some LA choppers replacement springs to firm up the rear suspension. the derake cups sound good for the front an maybe some heavier oil.
on another note....aren't the springer front ends raked a lot less than hydraulic front ends? I've never ridden one so I don't know how they handle.
on another note....aren't the springer front ends raked a lot less than hydraulic front ends? I've never ridden one so I don't know how they handle.
Advanced
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 93
Likes: 31
From: Phoenix, Arizona
The springer front end is a 0deg rake "tree"... same thing as the fxst... however, because the axle is set forward of the fork, they typically have about 2" less trail... which calculates as quicker handling, but less stable at higher speeds... trail is still around 4"
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Designed for the high speed slab
I have never found it difficult to pitch my Deuce into a turn at high speed.
In fact I even raked it out 3 degrees MORE to increase what it does best which is high speed stability for long hours on the super slab at high speeds, impervious to cross winds and truck wakes.
Track bikes are operated at high speeds into alternating corners at an unnatural pace compared to road riding. They NEED twitchy fast-to-turn rake angles to move the weight around against the forces of inertia.
I bought my Deuce for ROAD RIDING and really enjoy how heavy stable and secure it feels in corners and on the highway.
I grant you it tops out at about three quarters "race speed" and if a crotch rocket wishes to run at three times the posted limit and chew up the far edge of his tires doing 80 mph in a 25 mile per hour turn---I WON'T be next to him at that point.
But so what?
The Deuce is a ROAD bike, not a track bike.
Do whatever you want to with your Harley.
If you have some super cool result from your efforts let me know what they are.
My results have thrilled me and convinced me they improved my bike enormously for its intended purpose.
I have other bikes for the track.
In fact I even raked it out 3 degrees MORE to increase what it does best which is high speed stability for long hours on the super slab at high speeds, impervious to cross winds and truck wakes.
Track bikes are operated at high speeds into alternating corners at an unnatural pace compared to road riding. They NEED twitchy fast-to-turn rake angles to move the weight around against the forces of inertia.
I bought my Deuce for ROAD RIDING and really enjoy how heavy stable and secure it feels in corners and on the highway.
I grant you it tops out at about three quarters "race speed" and if a crotch rocket wishes to run at three times the posted limit and chew up the far edge of his tires doing 80 mph in a 25 mile per hour turn---I WON'T be next to him at that point.
But so what?
The Deuce is a ROAD bike, not a track bike.
Do whatever you want to with your Harley.
If you have some super cool result from your efforts let me know what they are.
My results have thrilled me and convinced me they improved my bike enormously for its intended purpose.
I have other bikes for the track.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
The springer front end is a 0deg rake "tree"... same thing as the fxst... however, because the axle is set forward of the fork, they typically have about 2" less trail... which calculates as quicker handling, but less stable at higher speeds... trail is still around 4"
Springers are de-raked...4.5 degrees for the FX ...7.5 degrees for the FL...you can buy a kit to make them 0 degrees...or "inline"
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: cali
I have never found it difficult to pitch my Deuce into a turn at high speed.
In fact I even raked it out 3 degrees MORE to increase what it does best which is high speed stability for long hours on the super slab at high speeds, impervious to cross winds and truck wakes.
Track bikes are operated at high speeds into alternating corners at an unnatural pace compared to road riding. They NEED twitchy fast-to-turn rake angles to move the weight around against the forces of inertia.
I bought my Deuce for ROAD RIDING and really enjoy how heavy stable and secure it feels in corners and on the highway.
I grant you it tops out at about three quarters "race speed" and if a crotch rocket wishes to run at three times the posted limit and chew up the far edge of his tires doing 80 mph in a 25 mile per hour turn---I WON'T be next to him at that point.
But so what?
The Deuce is a ROAD bike, not a track bike.
Do whatever you want to with your Harley.
If you have some super cool result from your efforts let me know what they are.
My results have thrilled me and convinced me they improved my bike enormously for its intended purpose.
I have other bikes for the track.
In fact I even raked it out 3 degrees MORE to increase what it does best which is high speed stability for long hours on the super slab at high speeds, impervious to cross winds and truck wakes.
Track bikes are operated at high speeds into alternating corners at an unnatural pace compared to road riding. They NEED twitchy fast-to-turn rake angles to move the weight around against the forces of inertia.
I bought my Deuce for ROAD RIDING and really enjoy how heavy stable and secure it feels in corners and on the highway.
I grant you it tops out at about three quarters "race speed" and if a crotch rocket wishes to run at three times the posted limit and chew up the far edge of his tires doing 80 mph in a 25 mile per hour turn---I WON'T be next to him at that point.
But so what?
The Deuce is a ROAD bike, not a track bike.
Do whatever you want to with your Harley.
If you have some super cool result from your efforts let me know what they are.
My results have thrilled me and convinced me they improved my bike enormously for its intended purpose.
I have other bikes for the track.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 474
From: Location location.
That old mermaid down at the clam right ! ha ha
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Still scraping after all these beers?
Hey Steve, I am surprised you are scraping after having changed the trees to a sharper angle.
You should be sitting higher in the front now.
I have lean angles in the 40 degree range which is not sportbike territory but notfar from it.
I can lean the Deuce over far enough to keep up with my buddy on his BMW sport touring machine at 60mph in 30 mph turns---no where near touching down.
If you are running a narrow tire 80/90-21 you might be happy just with switching to a 90/90-21 for more meat on the front.
Otherwise it is a big change to relace the wheel to a 19" in a 3 1/3 width and put on some serious racing sized rubber. I run 110/90-19 on an aluminum alloy 3 1/2 wheel from Buchanan's Wheels in Calif.
These bikes do not turn into crotch rockets no matter what because they are big heavy road bikes.
But my Deuce will out handle my souped up Triumph Bonneville T100 which is supposed to be the best handling classic road bike on the planet.
I predict that young guys are going to find the Softail Cruisers are easy to get to handle, cheap and fun as heck once they are sorted.
Plus they are bad a**.
You should be sitting higher in the front now.
I have lean angles in the 40 degree range which is not sportbike territory but notfar from it.
I can lean the Deuce over far enough to keep up with my buddy on his BMW sport touring machine at 60mph in 30 mph turns---no where near touching down.
If you are running a narrow tire 80/90-21 you might be happy just with switching to a 90/90-21 for more meat on the front.
Otherwise it is a big change to relace the wheel to a 19" in a 3 1/3 width and put on some serious racing sized rubber. I run 110/90-19 on an aluminum alloy 3 1/2 wheel from Buchanan's Wheels in Calif.
These bikes do not turn into crotch rockets no matter what because they are big heavy road bikes.
But my Deuce will out handle my souped up Triumph Bonneville T100 which is supposed to be the best handling classic road bike on the planet.
I predict that young guys are going to find the Softail Cruisers are easy to get to handle, cheap and fun as heck once they are sorted.
Plus they are bad a**.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
Sounds like you want a Dyna.
As I've already stated on a prev post, I test rode a Switchback a couple months ago
(I ride an 00 Heritage) In handling & susp, it's leaps & bounds better than mine (AND better than the 18 Heritage I rode!!
My issue was the excess vibration. I've ridden other (older) Dyna's & they were deadnuts smooth at freeway speed.
The S/B is just as comfortable as the Heritage.
I really felt I could hit a turn @ any reasonable speed.
As I've already stated on a prev post, I test rode a Switchback a couple months ago
(I ride an 00 Heritage) In handling & susp, it's leaps & bounds better than mine (AND better than the 18 Heritage I rode!!
My issue was the excess vibration. I've ridden other (older) Dyna's & they were deadnuts smooth at freeway speed.
The S/B is just as comfortable as the Heritage.
I really felt I could hit a turn @ any reasonable speed.