I have seen a few comments about the 6 degree rake front end. Is this a factory thing? If so do all trikes have it, if not, when did they start it. Looking at a 2004 trike, how can I tell if it has it?
Printable View
I have seen a few comments about the 6 degree rake front end. Is this a factory thing? If so do all trikes have it, if not, when did they start it. Looking at a 2004 trike, how can I tell if it has it?
It is not added to all trikes ... although most conversions have some rake. The additional rake makes it easier to steer.
If you look at the gap between the front wheel and the lower cowl and compare that to a stock wing, you will be able to tell if it's got some additional rake added. I don't know if there is anyway to tell how much rake has been added. It may be stamped on the triple trees, but, I'm not sure they do that. There are formulas to measure the actual trail and rake of a trike, but, they are way above my pay grade. Do a search for rake and trail and you'll find lots of info.
I can't imagine anyone triking a Goldwing without at least some additional rake being added, but, I suppose it could happen. The rake kits are an additional expense.
The advent of longer wheel-based conversions and Independent Suspension of these conversions has made the E-Z Steer, or raked triple tree, a needed and desired upgrade. Very popular now on just about all conversions.:)
[QUOTE=Lee H. Mann;640663]The advent of longer wheel-based conversions and Independent Suspension of these conversions has made the E-Z Steer, or raked triple tree, a needed and desired upgrade. Very popular now on just about all conversions.:)[/QUOTE]
Agree! Conversions such as Hannigan make the 6 deg rake a nice addition.
I would not use 6deg on the short wheel base conversions!
If the triple trees on the trike you're looking at are aluminum, most likely your forks are raked.
[QUOTE=FuzzyWuzHe;640652]I can't imagine anyone triking a Goldwing without at least some additional rake being added, but, I suppose it could happen. The rake kits are an additional expense.[/QUOTE]
My 2005 mt SA, has never been raked, i love it without it. I met another guy at WD who never had one also
The first Honda Valkyrie trike we test rode, was not raked.
It was a workout to steer it.
My current Valkyrie trike probably has a little too much rake,
but I am not complaining.
It steers like a dream
Roadsmith trikes comes with a 5.5% rake.....Mine steers like a champ!
Ronnie
[QUOTE=tfdeputydawg;640727]Agree! Conversions such as Hannigan make the 6 deg rake a nice addition.
I would not use 6deg on the short wheel base conversions!
If the triple trees on the trike you're looking at are aluminum, most likely your forks are raked.[/QUOTE]
Please define "short wheel base" vs "long wheel base". What measurements are considered the dividing line between the two.
CSC,Roadsmith,Hannigan are considered longer wheelbase.Champion,Lehman,DFT,Motortrike are shorter wheelbase.Basically the short wheelbase trikes trikes have the same or almost same wheelbase as the stock 2 wheeler had.
Im currently riding a champion trike kit on a honda vtx 1800c with an 8 degree rake and it handles great. No problems
[QUOTE=controlu;673199]Please define "short wheel base" vs "long wheel base". What measurements are considered the dividing linebetween the two.[/QUOTE]
Pic ofshort wheel base[IMG]http://championsidecars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/4447984_orig.jpg[/IMG]
Note the front of the rear fender is even with the riders seat back
Pic of long(extended wheel base:
[IMG]http://www.hannigantrikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/GL1800-Red-side-350x233.jpg[/IMG]
Front of fender approx even with passenger seat
[QUOTE=mtn rider;673299]Im currently riding a champion trike kit on a honda vtx 1800c with an 8 degree rake and it handles great. No problems[/QUOTE]
A VTX trike has vastly different handling / rake characteristics than a Gl18/1500, so you could get away with an 8degree.
I would not put an 8 degree on a Gl1800