Harley Springer 4.5 Deg Rake Kit
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Are you sure you fitted the 7.5 Deg rake kit? As I believe the FSXTS uses a 4.5 Deg kit from Vulcan. The trail with the 7.5 Deg kit on my FLSTS comes in at just under 5''. It did handle slightly different when I first rode it after the install, but you get used to the difference after a few miles. I must stress that it behaves great around the City streets and Country roads...and when I gun it on the motorway, it still behaves perfectly. When you installed your kit, did it feel good and tight with the new bearings..? I experienced no real problems with the install, except removing the original stem was a PITA. The kit I received was very well engineered and the ride is great. Hope you get it sorted...
Novice
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
Originally Posted by Tee⋁10555136
One of the prettiest ***** in the forum. Well done sir, well done!
20Springer40: I'm assuming you did install the new bearings that came with your Vulcan rake kit? Also, have you tried to adjust the steering stem adjuster nut to allow for proper neck bearing end-play...?
Rgds Chillo...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Don't believe that is the correct way to check trail on a springer. The springer already has rake built into it...you need a line from top of the steering pin to the axle...changes the numbers dramatically. Don't have a program to draw perfect straight lines but you get the idea.
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Dec 22, 2012 at 07:53 AM.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle upon Tyne UK
No problem brettnbama... I'll do that for you when I get back home next weekend...
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Tee&Vee and bikerlaw: Thanks for your comments. I'm overseas in S.E.Asia working right now, but I'll take some better photos of the bones and post them on the site when I return home again in January...
20Springer40: I'm assuming you did install the new bearings that came with your Vulcan rake kit? Also, have you tried to adjust the steering stem adjuster nut to allow for proper neck bearing end-play...?
Rgds Chillo...
20Springer40: I'm assuming you did install the new bearings that came with your Vulcan rake kit? Also, have you tried to adjust the steering stem adjuster nut to allow for proper neck bearing end-play...?
Rgds Chillo...
Chillo, sorry for taking so long to reply..
to answer your question, yes on both. new bearings and adjusted the neck bearing end play.
after messing around with the front suspension a gazillion times i started looking at the rear suspension to see if that was causing my bike to bounce around at high speed turns. i raised the rear so that the frame is leveled and the bouncing got better but if i hit a hard bump while turning right it'll bounce.
my thoughts.... the FXSTS front wheel is not centered when you reference it to the fork, it's offset to the left. i remember when i had the factory rear wheels on it was off centered as well, to the right if you are looking at it from the front of the bike. with the 250mm rear i have now, will that cause some kind of front to rear alignment issue? I'm ready to put the rake back to stock but i just want to rule out all possibilities before doing all that work and find out later that the front has nothing to do with the problem i'm having.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: PA
Hi guys,
I'm brand new here and this particular thread popped up numerous times when I was searching for "springer rake" several months ago. Anyhow, I got a hold of the Vulcan website and finally ordered and installed the 4.5° rake kit. Not too hard to install, but a little finiky to set up. In the end, it worked out very nicely. I am happy I did it to my 04 springer softail.
Are there any problems that I ought to know about from those of you who have had the kit installed for a while?
Thanks,
JS
I'm brand new here and this particular thread popped up numerous times when I was searching for "springer rake" several months ago. Anyhow, I got a hold of the Vulcan website and finally ordered and installed the 4.5° rake kit. Not too hard to install, but a little finiky to set up. In the end, it worked out very nicely. I am happy I did it to my 04 springer softail.
Are there any problems that I ought to know about from those of you who have had the kit installed for a while?
Thanks,
JS
