Harley Raked Triple Trees, an Alternate Approach
Dave “Ultraboy” Bickford
Like most folks who have ever ridden a trike both before and after raking the trees, I can now say “wish I woulda’ done that before.” I built my trike over the winter of ’08-’09, and at that time the trike building budget wasn’t going in for another thousand bucks for raked trees. When the warm weather finally came to NW Indiana, I was ready to ride, not tear the front end off the trike. Was it hard to steer? You bet it was, but I got used to it. However, the thought of raking the trees in the future was always there. Then my wife Reenie rode it, and all she said, before getting on her Softail, was “it steers like a truck.” The price for the well-known “EZ-Steer,” at more than a thousand bucks for parts only was a bit steep, so I started looking for alternatives. During my research on raked trees, as well as researching a future article on the new Tri-Glide, that is still in the works, I procured the Service Manual, Parts Catalog and Owners Manual for the Tri-Glide. These three volumes, I have read cover to cover several times, making notes, checking part numbers, finding out what was new, and what was carried over into the TG from earlier touring models.
One of the first things that stood out was that all of the HD 2009 Touring models have a 26 degree neck rake, just like the earlier dressers, however, the TG trail is 3.94” versus 6.69” for the rest of the Touring line. I’m not going to get into a deep discussion of Rake and Trail, as that is best left for another time. I set out to see what mother Harley did to accomplish this. First of all, the TG upper and lower triple trees have 83XXX-09 part numbers, making them TG specific, and 2009 first year parts. The rest of the attaching parts surrounding and connected to the trees are the same as my 2007 Street Glide. (and much earlier) Wow, the 2009’s have an all-new frame too! Hey, one part fits many; I like it! Additionally, the TG fork tubes and sliders are longer by 1-3/4” total, creating further rake. I will side step here quickly just to say that lengthening the forks on non-raked trees does not decrease trail, but lengthening the forks on raked trees does. OK, so they did both, and added a steering damper too. Cool.
As I was already doing a bunch of price research on Tri-Glide parts for that article, I checked on the TG upper and lower tree pricing as well. Would you believe 300 bucks for the set? Holy shivers batman, that’s quite a savings over the aftermarket alternatives. As I’ve said before, I love to experiment, so I ordered the “upper and lower fork brackets” and while I was at it, got the longer forks too.
Will it fit? Will it work? It looked good to me, and a comparison of part numbers for the attaching parts convinced me that it would be close to a bolt-in deal, albeit an expensive, time-consuming experiment. Typical me, I ordered the parts, tore apart my 2007 FLHX/Motor Trike, and proceeded to install the TG parts. It was a 625-dollar gamble (with the new forks) but what the heck, someone had to try it. (About a week after I received the parts HD wanted to know if it worked or not. I haven’t answered yet) Ok, so by now, you must be asking if it worked. The answer is Yes, worked like a charm.
I would like to keep this article short, something I can rarely do, but I’m going to try. If you have never changed triple trees on a fairing equipped Touring HD, and are not equipped with the appropriate tools, manuals and aptitude, don’t try this at home. I’m not bragging on my skills, but believe me, this is not a quick 2-hour job. You are messing with the basic suspension of your trike, to say nothing of your life, as well as those who ride with you. Just ask Bazooka, who has done several EZ-Steer installations, and he’ll tell you, it just ain’t that easy.
Ok, what to buy. I generally use one of the on-line discount dealers when I buy HD parts, as discounts of 20 to 30% and more are easily obtainable. You have to know your part numbers, as there are generally no refunds, but other than a few bucks shipping, you save big money and don’t pay sales tax. These prices are what I paid, and you may pay more or less depending on whom you know and where you go.
H-D Part Numbers:
83374-09 Bracket Assembly, fork stem Approximately $200
83404-09 Bracket, upper fork stem $100
83453-09 Skirt, outer fairing $ 35
Optional longer forks:
83800-09 Fork Assembly, complete, Left $145
83801-09 Fork Assembly, complete, Right $145
Additionally, you will have to procure two each ½-20 X 2-3/4 Grade 8 Hex Bolts and lockwashers. (H-D 8300 & 7068) Also, the front fender (if using the longer forks) mounts with thru bolts, so you’ll need four 5/16-18 X 2-1/4 Hex head grade 8 cap screws, and lock nuts. (H-D 3092 & 7739) Also, if you are going with the longer forks, you’ll need to fab up new brake lines. I used Goodridge clear-coated braided stainless lines, and Russell banjo bolts and banjos, with an AN-3 T. No big deal there. You could obtain the tri-piece brake line for the TG from H-D. It is P/N 83475-09 (about $60) but I cannot verify fitment. Also the TG brakes are Brembo, and use a “bleeder thru the banjo” so you are probably better off using aftermarket brake lines and banjos, unless your bike is already equipped with the Brembo brakes. You will need to have, or be able to reference the TG service Manual supplement, and H-D 2009 Touring Model service Manual, as torques are different, as well as the “fall-away” test specs.
What else is ‘different?’ The (TG) upper tree wiring mount/stem nut locking plate, which is held from rotating on non-TG models with a roll pin, does not have provisions for installing the roll pin, so you will have to drill a hole for the pin, or drill and tap a hole for a screw. The lower tree does not come with the guide bushings for the inner fairing/skirt, so you will have to either procure two new bushings (H-D P/N 45442-86) or remove the old bushings and install them on the TG tree. The electrical ground tab mounting hole is in a different location than non-TG trees, but the original parts will fit, and the ground wire is long enough to reach the new location without problem or interference. The handlebar risers, washers, spacers, bushings and bolts will transfer over to the TG upper tree without problems. The rubber Fork Stop donuts on FLH’s are not needed with the TG trees, as the lower tree has stops cast into it. You will need the chrome TG skirt for the outer fairing listed above in the ‘parts to buy’ table, as the now raked trees will not allow the stock skirt to clip on and bolt into the outer fairing. The new lower tree comes with the center stem, lower bearing and dust shield installed. Everything else transfers over, the ignition switch, fork-locking mechanism, etc. all bolt-in and work as stock. Other than the above items, any competent shop or decent Harley mechanic should be able to do this job without problems.
As stated above, I elected to procure the new longer forks. The fork part numbers listed are for complete forks, and come assembled and serviced with fluid, ready to bolt on. (Non-chrome lowers) Although I did not try it, I feel that the stock length forks will work fine, as the additional inch and three-quarters length only adds ½ to ¾ of a degree of rake. One of these days, maybe next winter, I’ll put the stock forks back on and see if it makes a difference.
On the road with the now ‘raked’ trike was like night and day. The phrase “power steering” is right on. I rode the trike 250 miles the first day, and was very happy with my decision. At that point, I went ahead and installed the TG steering damper (subject of another article) rode it awhile, and really noticed no difference. You have to cut a small section of the plastic inner fairing out of the bottom inside, but other than that, it’s another bolt-on. I wish now I would have tried the steering damper before raking the trees, but I didn’t.
Fitment: The TG trees and installation, as we’ve discussed here is for Harley FLH ‘Touring’ model motorcycles only. These trees will not fit Sporties, Dyna’s or Softails. As for year models, I would have to say 1995 and up. I’m saying that because the stock trees from 2007 touring bikes for example are P/N 45435-95 (upper) and 45446-87A (lower) all else being equal.
One final word before the photos. (Read disclaimer) As many interested folks reading this may be having a commercial shop perform this job, you may run into some trouble with shop personnel who are perhaps unwilling to try this installation, based on the word of some Looney ‘Ultraboy’ posting on a Forum. Additionally, they have their own past experience installing the EZ-Steer and will probably be uncomfortable. Let’s face it, shops make money on parts, and selling you a set of trees for 1000 bucks makes much more sense to them than a 300 dollar set of trees with no instructions or warrantee, and certainly no ‘thumbs up’ from Harley or any Trike Kit manufacturer. The labor cost is about the same for either. Don’t ask me what happens to your factory warrantee, that’s a toss-up. Hey, it works for me, looks factory (hells bells, it is!) and the cost was much cheaper than the alternative.
Until next time, keep it safe and enjoy the ride!
Pictures below:
BEFORE
AFTER
Stock Lower tree on Left, TG Tree on Right
Stock Lower tree on Left, TG Tree on Right
Stock Upper tree on RIGHT, TG Tree on LEFT
Stock Upper tree on RIGHT, TG Tree on LEFT
Tri-Glide Tubes and Sliders are 1-3/4" (total) longer
Stock Skirt on Left, TG Skirt on Right
TG Trees Installed
Harley Raked Triple Trees, an Alternate Approach
Linear Mode
