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Rake and trail problem.

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Tommyc, Dec 6, 2010.

  1. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    Hi all, I have a question regarding rake, trail etc.
    I have a 1970 rigid frame that was converted to a softtail with a FX type swingarm and shocks.
    So the neck has a good bit of rake angle and the forks are a littled extended which means the bike is hard to turn a low speeds.
    Is this something inheirant to a "chopper" type front end or is there something I can do to help the problem.
    It's very hard to steer when turning the bike. Maybe I could shorten the forks? Use a smaller fron wheel? Stiffen the rear shocks? lengthen the rear shocks? Get wider handlebars?
    Anybody have any other ideas?
    Attached is a picture.
    Thanks for any info that helps~!

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    Tommyc, Dec 6, 2010
    #1
  3. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Rake and trail Calculator

    Too much of one ,and not enough of the other make
    long bikes hard to steer. the longer the bike, more rake
    makes it harder to steer at low speeds, you'll be doing the duck walk
    and need a large lot to turn it around.

    Plug your figures into the calculator and it will
    give you an idea...
    hotroadking, Dec 6, 2010
    #2
  4. Deuce3

    Deuce3 New Member

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    If all the rake is in the frame you could reduce trail (which is causing the heaviness) by putting on raked trees. Raking the frame increases trail, raking the trees reduces trail. But be careful - too little or worse yet negative trail can be fatal. Here's and explanation and calculator.
    Deuce3, Dec 6, 2010
    #3
  5. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    Cool, thanks. This will help.
    Tommyc, Dec 6, 2010
    #4
  6. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    I have a set of raked trees. 5 degrees. Maybe I will try them.
    Thans Deuce3.
    Tommyc, Dec 6, 2010
    #5
  7. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    cool looking Bike i do like the shovels put many a mile on one (had it 20 years)
    cowboy, Dec 6, 2010
    #6

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