How much to rake? how to do so?

7608 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Texas Mott, Sep 10, 2014

cmshdfx4

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2014

This is the front of my 1999 Low Rider and as you can see from the pic I have a scoop mounted to the frame which I think looks really good on there and I like that but at the same time I feel like it makes the bike look shorter due to the lack of space between the tire and frame. I am looking to rake that wheel out a few more inches nothing too far out there.

How much degree of rake should I be looking in to and whats the best way to achieve it? Ive heard of triple trees and I also read about rake cups. Not sure which one I should get installed. Thanks in advance for the advice

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Hunt/fish 365

· #2 · Jul 21, 2014

I wouldn't do it if it were me. While it may look cool it will kill performance. The longer the rake the worse the turn in. If you just cruise around it wouldn't be a big deal, but if you like to take turns at anywhere near too fast you will hate it.

110 Warrior

· #3 · Jul 21, 2014

I've raked the warrior 6 degrees with new trees. It grew about 2 3/4" in length. It also lowered the frame in front so I lowered back as well. You will not turn or corner like you used to. You may not like it. Better be a real good rider.

cmshdfx4

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 21, 2014

I mainly just use my bike as a cruiser. I wouldn't say I take corners excessively fast or push it to the limit. Im not looking have the wheel sit out in front a foot farther then it is either only a few inches. What about wide glide triple trees? Id be keeping stock Harley specs for a wide glide then. Id like to have that front tire out there a little more but if it causes more problems then good id just as well leave it be. I think I could live and get used to a little different handling. I started on a sportster which I feel handled differently then my lowrider now.

JPR

· #5 · Jul 21, 2014

Never dropped the bike after I modified it. Springer with longer forks and different wheel. It looked great but was more squirly especially at low speed turns and U turns.

I won't be modifying the new bike. Stock has its advantages.

110 Warrior

· #6 · Jul 21, 2014

Even with the changes I've made Ivan still corner better than some. Years of off and on road riding. I think it's a great look.

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THE ROAD

· #7 · Jul 22, 2014

I bought a 1988 FXR Sport brand new back in the day . I had two inch over longer front fork tubes installed & loved the way that bike handled and looked . I think I had to order a shorter kick-stand because of the longer front end but it looked killer . It was a Low Rider also !

JPR

· #8 · Jul 22, 2014

110 Warrior said:
Even with the changes I've made Ivan still corner better than some. Years of off and on road riding. I think it's a great look.

Looks damn good.

ematicic

· #9 · Jul 22, 2014

I have a 37deg rake on the breakout. I was concerned about the cornering between that and the 240 back tire. I always wanted both, but they were new to me. Took about 200 miles before I was scrapping pegs. Granted the entire bike was engineered to be that way so it was very balanced.

I was going to recommend not doing it to a bike that didn't have but but after seeing Ivan, I am not going to say it. Ivan is a bad ass!

110 Warrior

· #10 · Jul 22, 2014

Haa haaa. Ivan now. I'm not gonna live that down. I'm sure everyone knows it was I can? Funny shet.

110 Warrior

· #11 · Jul 22, 2014

Here's an image of the other side sitting next to our Roady. Guess I'll have to name it too. Lmao.

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Thunder~Struck

· #12 · Jul 22, 2014

110 Warrior said:
Here's an image of the other side sitting next to our Roady. Guess I'll have to name it too. Lmao.

Where did you get the velocity stack? Are you running a air filter? What type of carb?

110 Warrior

· #13 · Jul 22, 2014

It did breath thru 2 filter boxes. 1 was on the side and 1 was under the tank. I took them both off and am running 2 k&n filters directly on the down draft throttle bodies. The stack is mounted on a bat stretched across the cylinders. It's something I made just for looks. I don't wanna be a thread bogie but here's a close up. Did it some years ago and I need to change it up. It's getting old.

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cmshdfx4

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 22, 2014

So would I be able to get away with just 3 degree cups without losing stability or risking any problems?

110 Warrior

· #15 · Jul 22, 2014

3 degrees over what you have. I don't know how far that's gonna put you. 6 was as far as I could go without fork extensions. The only other trees out there for me was 7 but then you had to do the extension. And I didn't want to screw the handling up to much. Gonna need some help from a HD guy for that.

110 Warrior

· #16 · Jul 22, 2014

Do a search on this forum and the other HD forum out there and research the web. Information will help you make your choice. I did a quick search and some guys did 3 degree cups along with 3 degree trees and like it. Good luck.

cmshdfx4

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 22, 2014

Okay thanks. Yeah im not looking to change out anything other then just cups and/ or trees. I appreciate your help and input.

Pete

· #18 · Jul 30, 2014

Whey do you want to 'rake' your motorcycle? Doing so will turn an other functional motorcycle into a machine with the turning characteristics of a road grader.

Raking a bike introduces all sorts of issues that are not compatible with what most people buy a motorcycle for - maneuverability, stability, and performance. Changing the rake can make it nearly impossible to avoid an obstruction and it can introduce high-speed instabilities that can kill you.

I have ridden these bike - the are dogs. What they do achieve is a 'look' that some people like. It is rare to ever see one of these bikes in the mountains - they can't handle the turns. Our local bike club has a few members with raked bikes. You hardly ever see them take these bike on even day trips - they are such a hand-full to keep on the road and they often can't keep up on curvy country or mountain roads.

When I lived in Orlando I watched a raked Harley go out of control while riding at 60 mph. The front end developed a harsh oscillation that he rider could not control. It was a very bad wreck.

To be blunt, most of the guys that I know that ride the raked, chopper-looking motorcycles around here are considered to be posers by the folks who ride motorcycle with normal frame geometries. You see the raked motorcycles, parked at bars, with their LED accent lights on, even when the bike is not running. That is about all that they do with them. When they leave the bar they have to make wide, awkward turns just to get back on the road to go home or to the next bar. They are all show and no go, if you know what I mean.

You own a good motorcycle. There are a lot of things that you can do to enhance its performance from both a power-train and handling perspective. You can make your bike stand out without turning it into a poor-handling bar-hopper.

Pete

cmshdfx4 said:
This is the front of my 1999 Low Rider and as you can see from the pic I have a scoop mounted to the frame which I think looks really good on there and I like that but at the same time I feel like it makes the bike look shorter due to the lack of space between the tire and frame. I am looking to rake that wheel out a few more inches nothing too far out there.

How much degree of rake should I be looking in to and whats the best way to achieve it? Ive heard of triple trees and I also read about rake cups. Not sure which one I should get installed. Thanks in advance for the advice

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dirtdobber

· #19 · Aug 1, 2014

I am using the 7 degree trees. Just drop the rear a inch and your good. It handles just fine. Just make sure your sag is set correctly in the front and use good shocks in the rear.

dirtdobber

· #20 · Aug 1, 2014

7 degree tree

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