Could somebody explain or better still post side by side pics of the "differences" with the 2007 to 2008 fatboy front end? I believe it is something to do with the offset or similar? About to put new wheels on and want to make sure that this will not effect me or find out what I need to do to offset the offset problem (so to speak)

DeanO

 

Do you have any idea what offset is? If you are lost than I can send you a link, just PM me. No biggie as I work with designing HD replacement front ends. I do not work with softails, however.

 

G'day,

Do you mean do I know what the word "offset" means or do I know the size (in cm / mm) of the offset I am referring to?

The dictionary meaning of the word offset is exactly as I understood it (assuming you meant the former)

" something that counterbalances, counteracts, or compensates for something else; compensating equivalent. "

and I was under the impression that this was something that HD did to compensate for a pull to one side after they increase the rear tire size. That could be wrong but that is what I read someone say on here and I am trying to better understand it so that I may learn how this will (might) effect me.

If you meant the latter, then no I have no idea and that was pretty much part of what I am trying to understand about the question / point raised.

Regards,
DeanO

 

I think I know what you are talking about. If I understand you correctly than changing a wheel will not change your trail nor would a wheel effect an offset. Let me clarify that somewhat. If you had a bike for instance that had 32 degrees of rake and 4 inches of trail with a 12 inch wheel than you changed the front wheel to a 26 inch wheel, than the rake & trail will change much. Exaggerated of course.

Go to my site a grab a free rake & trail calculator and install it on your computer. No tracking/spyware software here. I hope this helps. You can play with the numbers and it helps to understand this better & it will calculate your change if you put inthe before and after numbers.

Understanding offset
LINK: http://motorcyclemetal.com/catalog2.html
Go to the bottom of the page & click on the link to a free calculator
LINK: http://76.162.149.2/Download.html

Now, hows about some of that shrimp you put on the Barby?
And Beer, More Beer!

 

What dmac is asking about is in reference to the 2007 Fatboy frontwheel not being on symetrical center of the axle. Itwas offset by the MoCo when they went to the 200mm rear tire. Aparently there was some sort of frame torque that was resolved by off-setting the front wheel on its axle. Later, the MoCo had a recall on the 07 Fatboys to have cut-outs made on the fork sleeves for proper clearences if the front forks fully loaded (compressed).

2008 Fatboys (with their 200mm rear tires) have the front wheels symetrically centered again on the axle, and no cutouts on the fork sleeves. There was some kind of frame change incorporated now to remove whatever the torque issue was.

I don't have all the engineering information that was involved, and (sorry) I don't have comparison pics to post.

dmac's 2008 doesn't need to worry about which wheels he wants, and neither do any of our 2007 fatboy brothers, as long as you aren't changing axle setup. The'07axle offest is subtle and does not detract from the inherent beauty of the machine.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Thanks for the great info. I have to look into this myself as I was not aware of this. THANKXXXXXX!!