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I need some help. I have a 2009 nightrain and I would like to buy a new front end for it. I have a polished 21" maltese cross wheel with cow catcher fender. I'm wanting to rake the front end but not sure how many degrees on the trees or the length of my forks. The bike just needs a little rake and I'm not sure if I get new triple trees with a few degrees rake? I'm looking at new forks... maybe black ones but I know they will need to be longer if I rake it. I'm hoping to order it right the first time if you know what I mean. Does this make any sense?
Plenty of threads on this. Easiest way to search this site is through google, the internal search sucks ***. Go to google and type "HD Forums (input your search criteria here)". Rake and trail are not to be taken lightly, there is a ton of geometry involved. Go too far or too little and things might get hairy. Plenty have done it, you just need to pay close attention to the numbers.
I do believe the trains have 2* raked trees to start with, 32* in the neck.
Howard's is a good place to get some education on rake and trail.
Use his rake and trail calculator to test different ideas. His is about the most detailed one I have found.
U really need a pro builder for this mod, most info U'll get in here is the I have a friend that did this,, type of info.
Changing the rake and tire Dia can really mess up the handling if U don't make sure all the components go together.
U shouldn't just buy this and that and throw them on cause they LooK GooD.
Do Ur homework and ask a lot of questions before U decide on what to get as most all bikes are a little different.
Also remember Google is always Ur friend on questions..
Howard's is a good place to get some education on rake and trail.
Use his rake and trail calculator to test different ideas. His is about the most detailed one I have found.
You hit the nail right on the head!! Its not hard to figure out at all just basic math. 4 to 6 inches of trail is the safe zone. Crotch rockets have a smaller trail numbers then our bikes
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