So what would really happen???

[dadztoy]

I read a lot about adding a rake kit to my Tow Pac'ed trike but then I couldn't ride it on 2 wheels anymore... Really??? Why not???

Has anyone really tried this??? To my way of thinking, the only negative would be a reduced effectiveness in overall steering, but how bad would it be???

Certainly not as bad as the Captain America bike of Easy Rider fame, and not as good as the stock bike handing, but honestly, has anyone ever tried this to see just what degradation occurs and how bad it is, or is everyone simply saying it cannot be done because no one has done it yet???

I am tempted to order an easy steer kit and try it to satisfy my own curiosity... Any comments pro or con???

Les

[Doorman]

I'm not sure how it would handle on the goldwing on two wheels but we installed a 4.5 degree kit on my daughters VTX and she loves the way it handles. We have had it in the smokies.out on freeway,in the rain, and no adverse effects. I think you would be happy with it.

[skuuter]

Yes, it can still be ridden on two wheels...no, it will not handle as well as stock...yes, it will feel slightly as if it "falls off center" at slow speeds in parking lots as You turn the fork through it's arc...yes, You will notice it pick the front of the Bike up and down slightly at the head tube if You move the bars sitting still...yes, it will track even better going straight...yes, it will steer slower (more handlebar input per amount of turn)...yes, countersteering will fill "slightly" strange at first...do I recommend it (I've owned/built several 2 Wheelers with raked trees), no, not really...will it ruin Your motorcycle, no, it will not.......approach this with caution if You think Your bike may go back to it's original 2-Wheeler Version....GOOD LUCK on Your Decision.....

[dadztoy]

Thanks very much for the input guys I still haven't made a decision yet on this - just looking for real world experience... My Tow Pac is going to the painter tomorrow for it's color matching to the bike - will be on 2 wheels for a while...

Les

[americanbadass]

I would not hesitate to add a rake kit....upside is when you ride it with your tow pack...you will like it a bunch better than without. As far as the two wheel status, just keep in mind that the steering is different, and you should adapt quickly to the transition.
I rode choppers for years, the longest was 12 feet axle to axle...never had a problem or wrecked one. Here is a pic of the last one I built in 2004...rode it to Sturgis that year!!!

[skuuter]

I would not hesitate to add a rake kit....upside is when you ride it with your tow pack...you will like it a bunch better than without. As far as the two wheel status, just keep in mind that the steering is different, and you should adapt quickly to the transition.
I rode choppers for years, the longest was 12 feet axle to axle...never had a problem or wrecked one. Here is a pic of the last one I built in 2004...rode it to Sturgis that year!!!

Just a "Little Footnote" here...there is a really significant difference in riding a "Raked Frame" and "Raked Trees". "Stretching" Frames is the cure we came up with in the early 70s to get away from "most" of the "quirks" of severely raked frames and/or raked trees.....

[americanbadass]

Just a "Little Footnote" here...there is a really significant difference in riding a "Raked Frame" and "Raked Trees". "Stretching" Frames is the cure we came up with in the early 70s to get away from "most" of the "quirks" of severely raked frames and/or raked trees.....

Obvious point made...... but if you put a 5 degree rake in the neck of a frame without stretching the back bone, it would ride very similar to a 5 degree raked tree. It is a lot easier and cheaper to add raked trees.
My only point was only that bikes (two wheel) can be safely ridden with raked trees, if the rider understands the dynamics of riding it as such.

[stacebg]

Obvious point made...... but if you put a 5 degree rake in the neck of a frame without stretching the back bone, it would ride very similar to a 5 degree raked tree. It is a lot easier and cheaper to add raked trees.
My only point was only that bikes (two wheel) can be safely ridden with raked trees, if the rider understands the dynamics of riding it as such.

afraid that you dont understand
raking the frame strech or no stretch adds trail..... raking the trees shortens the trail....
5 deg tree and 5 deg frame are not even going to be in the same zip code as far as handling

as for riding a basically stock bike with a set of raked trees.. which reduces the trai.... course it all depends on what your trail is reduced to.... if you get down around 2 inches or so the bike will be very unstable untill you get up to 15 or 20 mph (not sure on the exact numbers but you get the idea)
and on the hyway you can lean the bike side to side a LOT and stil go straight... i tryed it once..

only once....

now the reverse when you rake the frame you add trail which make the bike want to go straight all the time at hiway speed an in the parkin lot...

bottom line rakeing trees are not even close to raking the frame

[skuuter]

afraid that you dont understand
raking the frame strech or no stretch adds trail..... raking the trees shortens the trail....
5 deg tree and 5 deg frame are not even going to be in the same zip code as far as handling

as for riding a basically stock bike with a set of raked trees.. which reduces the trai.... course it all depends on what your trail is reduced to.... if you get down around 2 inches or so the bike will be very unstable untill you get up to 15 or 20 mph (not sure on the exact numbers but you get the idea)
and on the hyway you can lean the bike side to side a LOT and stil go straight... i tryed it once.. only once....

now the reverse when you rake the frame you add trail which make the bike want to go straight all the time at hiway speed an in the parkin lot...

bottom line rakeing trees are not even close to raking the frame

"YES".....same point I made earlier...