Raked Triple Trees
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 333
From: Central TX
Just purchased Covington 3 degree trees for my 01 Fatboy. I was a little nervous spending the money after all the negative comments on high speed wobble. I would really appreciate more riding experiences from those of you who have actually used raked trees. My bike is currently lowered 2" in the rear only - adding mild 3 degree rake, and not planning to add any length to front tubes - hoping trees and stock tubes will drop front end slightly and even out suspension front to back. Think I will have handling issues? Indy thinks I should be fine.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Riderville
I'm trying to weed out a wee wobble at high speeds, my '08 ****htrain has a rear lowering kit, and 5* rake triple trees. At around 120km/hr I start getting front wheel shopping cart feel, I need this top go away, I have steering dampener installed and it seems to help a bit. I was wondering if lowering the front end with a drop in spring kit would help bring this back steady, I was blaiming my Damn Dirty Apes but the more I read into rake and trail I think this is the cause.......so will lowering front end fix it? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller Beuller?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
You could try these people instead of going to the states, they're probably helpfully with info on what to and not to do.
http://www.harleycustom.co.uk/L2-Tol...rks-10-19.html
http://www.harleycustom.co.uk/L2-Tol...rks-10-19.html
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I'm trying to weed out a wee wobble at high speeds, my '08 ****htrain has a rear lowering kit, and 5* rake triple trees. At around 120km/hr I start getting front wheel shopping cart feel, I need this top go away, I have steering dampener installed and it seems to help a bit. I was wondering if lowering the front end with a drop in spring kit would help bring this back steady, I was blaiming my Damn Dirty Apes but the more I read into rake and trail I think this is the cause.......so will lowering front end fix it? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller Beuller?
Did you put your specs into a trail calculator to see what your trail would (or is) be ?
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Florida
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
[QUOTE=R_W_B;9942860]I've had folks tell me never to go over 3* in raked trees (not frame) unless it's on a trike. 3* is considered the limit you can safely push the trail reduction and not have the shopping cart effect.
I was told this as well by a guy who rakes bikes as well as other stuff for a living but I've just noticed this is a dusted off post from 2 months ago so the OP is probably long gone.
I was told this as well by a guy who rakes bikes as well as other stuff for a living but I've just noticed this is a dusted off post from 2 months ago so the OP is probably long gone.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 12
From: In a house down by the river
Dusted off or not I'm in for the input. Deuce has a stock trail of 5"s so I'm thinking a 3* or 4* raked tree with a 2" drop in the rear will bring me closer to a 3" trail, which should handle well at speed or slow turns. Anyone see some flaw(s) in my plan ?