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My 2018 Goldwing/Roadsmith Trike came with a "6 degree rake kit" on the steering to "make turning easier".
This has made the bike longer and as best I can tell has increased the turning radius.
So, my questions are:
Does this really make steering SIGNIFICANTLY easier?
How difficult is it to remove the kit?
How much will the removal shorten the bike?
I carry the bike in the back of a pickup and a few inches shorter would really be helpful.
[QUOTE=Airboss;892480]My 2018 Goldwing/Roadsmith Trike came with a "6 degree rake kit" on the steering to "make turning easier".
This has made the bike longer and as best I can tell has increased the turning radius.
So, my questions are:
Does this really make steering SIGNIFICANTLY easier?
How difficult is it to remove the kit?
How much will the removal shorten the bike?
I carry the bike in the back of a pickup and a few inches shorter would really be helpful.[/QUOTE]
Milt.........Welcome To Trike-Talk.......:wave4::wave4:....I think you should leave it on it will steer heavier without it ........
Welcome to try to talk I would leave the rake on there unless you’re a young man and strong like bull than you’ll be OK.
Hi Milt, :welcome:to Trike Talk and your first post
You will surely miss the rake kit if you remove it
I rode a trike w/out the kit and totally hated it.....................I rode a trike with a 5.5% rake kit, and totally loved it.............I have a feeling that you would kick yourself (If you removed that rake kit)...............
Ronnie
7/9/22
Guess I'll keep it and work around the length issue.
Never would have thunk it would make a difference, but that's the great thing about these forums. A simple question can prevent you from doing something less than smart.:GL1800:
I believe you made the right decision here;;;;; Believe me, that easy steering trike of yours, would make steering like tons of work, if you remove that rake'd front end..
When I had my trike built, three seasons ago, I asked the builder this same question ::: DO I REALLY NEED A RAKED 5.5% FRONT END????
His answer to me was:: I have replaced many raked front ends on bikes... Never did anyone ever wanted it reversed......BUT 85-90% of the ones that I didn't replace, in the first place all wanted me to change that rake to a 5.5%..........
He said to me: Here ride, this NON raked bike first, and then rides this raked out bike next, which do you like better?? Before I answer this question, be advised that I never rode a trike before this test ride......................THERE WAS NO COMPARISION/THE RAKE'D FRONT END WAS THE CLEAR WINNER:yahoo:
Ronnie
7/10/22
You don't want to change it . I rode mine for a couple yrs with shoulder problem and changed to a 5degree then ride 5 more yrs with no problem
Milt, welcome to Trike Talk! Definitely keep it! Really makes a difference!
Well "Boss"
After reading all the reply's about removing the rake'd front end, what did you decide to do???
Ronnie
7/13/22
As I mentioned in post #6 I am going to keep it and deal with the length issue some other way.
Not trying to hijack this thread, but has anyone with the Harley conversion installed a steering dampener similar to the tri-glides??
Yes I did worked nice on the groves roads of PA at higher speeds
I used a adjustable one when traveling outside of PA i would turn it down a little
The rake kit is wonderful just like adding power steering. If you go drive an old truck without power steering this will be how the bike will be without it. :)