What are the least expensive options to stretch out the front end on my Sportster 1200 Custom without completely screwing up the handling? I have searched posts and found the $1400 - $1700 options, but I am looking of the poor bikers choice.

Back has already been dropped 4 inches with rigid struts.

 

Raked trees and +length forks. If you buy them separately you'll come in WAY under 1400-1700. You may have to switch to a Mid or WG setup to get em, I don't know of too many places that make aftermarket raked narrow glide trees.

 

Your bike's handling affects your own safety so I would be very careful doing raked trees.
My friend did a ton a research and every source said that if you go over 3 degrees, you will affect your trail and adversely affect handling.
You already lowered the rear end so that affects trail already; you could probably get away with a little more rake.

My advice--save your money and do it right.
Either buy/modify a frame if you are into that or get a rake kit that compensates for the increased rake keeping the trail the same.

AME makes a kit that my friend ended up going with because the quality is great and it's the only one that has 41mm tubes.
It's about $1500 though and the other poster was right that raked trees and tubes could cost you less.

I am not a expert or anything, but I've heard some using raked cups or something in conjunction with trees.
Maybe someone can elaborate on this as a less expensive solution.

If it was me, I would not mess around with something that affects trail and thus your handling.
Just my .02.

 

There's a rake and trail guide here: http://rawge.bravepages.com/minichop...Rake_Trail.htm.

If you use the correct length tubes for how far out the new trees are raked, you'll be fine. Do some research on this and you'll find it to be very helpful in the end. My front end is only raked another 3 degrees, but if you're looking to stretch out a bit more, you'll need to do your homework.

 

Three degree trees don't hurt anything especially if you lower the crap out of the back of the bike.

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got 5 deg trees and 11" shocks in the OL sporty but running stock fork. As mentioned as you have already lowered the back end your have already alltered the trail in the front. Use on of the rake and trail calculaters on the net and pick up a cheap angle finder and work out what your reall rake is as the bike sits now before doing anything else. Sad thing about steering geometry is a lot of times not enough trail wont show up till your going at speed and you end up in a tank slapper that wrenches the bars out your hands and end up going down the road.

 

I had the frame customized. Yea, it wasn't too cheap, but it turned out nice.....at least I think it is nice.

 

Hey:
Check out Seeger cycle they make chopper kits and triple trees for just about everything. Prices arent to bad either
Lou

 

Do it right. The kits make the end result look like a throw-together. Whenever the fork angle varies much more than about 3 degrees from the neck post angle, the viewer's eye is immediately drawn to that spot. That ain't a good thing, 'cause it means the lines don't flow.

Just my opinion.

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i installed 5 degree NARROW GLIDE trees from Hawg Halters with no extensions, because i had the rear lowered.
They are around 500 for the trees, but damn it is worth it