Raked bearing cups

[Bilbo]

This is probably what you're looking for.

[45grum]

Originally Posted by Roy

Thanks Phil.

My question was more pointed at 45grum who seemed to know something about the drak mysteries of steering geometry.

I did contact the european section of chopper kits today and ask if 2"+ tubes, a 9degree raked triple tree and 2" lower rear end (progressive do some neat/cheap kits to lower the stock shocks) would be okay. They said yes, however I have asked them to confirm the steering geometry won't be too negatively affected.

I rode chops when I was younger, a trummy with 6" overs and a honda with stupid length girders and always found the handling really good although the bikes were a lot lighter than your av TC88/96

Really interested in these 2 mods, I know its personal taste, however for me lowering the rear end and raking out the front seems to make the most aesthetically pleasing difference, albeit want to be left with a bike I can ride

So, yes, get as much informed advice I can - if its a go-go then will take the plunge. ALthough I do need to buy the bike 1st ... (life inbetween Harleys is ... weird)

Cheers, Roy

Hi Roy sorry I have been away but Kiwi Graeme is right just keep your trail in check and you should be OK, Trail is the amount the contact patch of the tyre trails behind the steering axis and gives you the self centreing effect and thus in line stability too much and the steering feels heavy but you should track nice and straight, too little or negative will at best leave it feeling twitchy and at worst try to spit you off when cornering. What is strange is at a standstill it seems the other way round as lots of trail tries to flop over to full lock but no trail it will sit where you leave it so people think that is what will happen when you start moving, not so.
A bike will handle fine with vertical forks or a very shallow rake as long as the trail is correct what keeps tele forks in the 30 degrees (ish) from vertical is more to do with asthetics and the fact that stiction whilst braking stops the suspension working if too steep and the suspension not working at all if too shallow, your girders on the Trumpet were probably set up to give the right trail for their length which can be done by adjusting the links.
Good luck with finding your bike and piccies when you find it.

Cheers Graham.

[Roy]

Thanks Graham

Because I am inbetween Harleys, very much in research mode at the mo - so this whole topic has really helped out. I looked at the raked trees and have been emailing with the company and reviewing customer write-ups and it all looks like a go-go, albeit not cheap. I'm going for a lowered rear, 5 degree rake and 2"+ tubes.

All I need now is a nightrain (early next year, ad in wanted motorcycles) and its all systems go.

Good topic Bilbo and hope your bike gets sorted

Kind Regards, Roy