HD Forums Australia
Home
Topics

To rake or not

  • B0nes
    B0nes
    5 years ago
    Just want to pick the brains of a few of you clever buggers.
    Been looking at swapping out the stock triple trees on my 2001 Nightrain with a set with a 3degree rake. Any suggestions on if it's a good idea or not and would I need to extend the forks and how much would this change the trail. Will keep stock ones if it's a pain in the arse. I'm just in the planning stages for the next series of modifications that I want to do.

  • HOG63
    HOG63
    5 years ago
    Raked trees are the best way to make your bike harder to ride, ie bad Trail. 

    I prefer rake cups instead of cutting the frame. “Vulcan Engineering” (click on linked name) make cups sets for a few different models. I installed in my Sporty. (Not sure about yours.) 
    3 degrees is not huge change, but I do get guys asking what I did. I know my bike is easier to ride, as I already run 4” overs. 

    The cups (with own bearings) fit into the yoke in place of the original bearings. 
    Effectively making the yoke slightly longer and 3 degrees more rake. The bottom cup has a fork stop. 
    The kit comes with a new stem to put in your lower triple that has a notch for your steering lock. 
    The system is extremely well made. 

    Extending forks is highly recommended. 
  • Wholehog
    Wholehog
    5 years ago


    This my old evo which originally was a springer which I had raked.
    I then went to a dual disk wide glide front and had it re-raked 
    It was harder to ride cause u actually had to turn the bars as well as lean into the corner... but I loved riding it...U either gonna love it or hate it .
    Oh and forgive the pik being inside out :)
    54882EF8-81D3-4797-A159-7D0E091E1484.jpeg
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    5 years ago
    Rake for straight line, the opposite for quick steering and corners. 3 degree, not that dramatic.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    Agree, 3 degrees is is very mild.  Just do it!
  • B0nes
    B0nes
    5 years ago
    Thanks fellas
    Might give it a shot. If I don't like it, can always go back to stock.
  • HOG63
    HOG63
    5 years ago
    3 degrees rake cups (4” overs)...

    3B03E398-4A1F-42D6-891E-F62B1E91F9BB.jpeg
    C898473D-4E86-4DA3-B6F8-7D7DE0850B76.jpeg
  • coyoty
    coyoty
    5 years ago
    My 2000 softail has 3 in over forks.......  Bought like that,  Really needs extra fork clamp / triple tree as previous rider used to push front wheel against solid object to straighten up before he rode it !   I took guard off and moulded 1.2mm plate to inner shape of gaurd and added to give strength. worked but will be going to 3mm inner gaurd strengthening as forks  move around under heavy breaking and spirited cornering  ( if you can call it that !)
      So.. im saying make sure you have strength in your front end, i could of gone some diff ways to get a better front end but i chose to go this way.  Why ? because i like the way of it ( movie Castle ) and ride within its limitations. cheers.

Topics