Champion rake kit question

[scribe5]

I have a Champion rake kit, 4.5 degrees, for my 2005 1800 Champion trike kit. From my research, it seems the Champion kit also comes with 1" tube extensions. It appears to me that the front still dips low. I looked at the Cad to Chrome tube extensions online http://www.cadtochrome.com/ctc/forkcaps/caps.html and they seem to really raise up the front...much more than the extra 1/2 inch that their product at 1 1/2 inches would indicate. Without loosening up the triple tree, is there a way to determine if the Champion fork extensions were installed when the rake was installed. I bought used and the previous owner didn't know what I was talking about. If someone with the same setup could measure from the top of the fender to the bottom of the fairing, that might help. Or describe what the Champion fork caps look like.

 

[Lucky]

If I were you I would Phone or PM Zook.Lotta knowledge there and he won't lead you astray.RIDE SAFE

 

[scribe5]

If I were you I would Phone or PM Zook.Lotta knowledge there and he won't lead you astray.RIDE SAFE

Good idea

 

[msocko3]

If I were you I would Phone or PM Zook.Lotta knowledge there and he won't lead you astray.RIDE SAFE

:Agree: Great advice.

 

[Papa Zook]

Call me any time (346)800-7946

 

[scribe5]

Does anyone recognize this fork cap? Someone thought it might be Traxxion, but Traxxion says it's not theirs. This all ties in with fork extension issue. I probably have the Champion rake, but not the tube extension that comes with it. Looks like previous owner had some mod done.

 

[Papa Zook]

Theory: I suspect someone may have installed a Progressive monotube system in your bike before it was ever triked, and if so the left fork cap (thats the side the monotube cartridge goes in) will not work with their system when using a raked front end as the Progressive cap is beveled underneath to mate to the monotube cartridge and the Champion extension is not. If that's the case someone has had an extension/cap custom milled to work with the Progressive system and the rake kit. Could be wrong, but that's my best guess.

Either that or they discovered the Champion fork extensions would not work with the Progressive monotube system in place, so they just left out the extensions all together and that's why your trike sits low in the front. These are not Champion caps and don't appear to be Progressive caps either.

 

[scribe5]

Theory: I suspect someone may have installed a Progressive monotube system in your bike before it was ever triked, and if so the left fork cap (thats the side the monotube cartridge goes in) will not work with their system when using a raked front end as the cap is beveled underneath to mate to the monotube cartridge. If that's the case someone has had an extension/cap custom milled to work with the Progressive system and the rake kit. Could be wrong, but that's my best guess.

Either that or they discovered the Champion fork extensions would not work with the Progressive monotube system in place, so they just left out the extensions all together and that's why your trike sits low in the front. These are not Champion caps and don't appear to be Progressive caps either.

Ugh! That's one of the pit falls of buying used--not knowing what's been done...thanks for the insight. Will probably have to take apart during a cold spell to see what was done.

 

[Papa Zook]

Ugh! That's one of the pit falls of buying used--not knowing what's been done...thanks for the insight. Will probably have to take apart during a cold spell to see what was done.

The reason I suspect the Progressive monotube system is what you have... is for one, they are very popular on the GL1800s particularly in your part of the world and secondly, that's one of the few reasons that the left cap would be a different style than the right fork cap. If you find that a Progressive monotube system has been installed on your bike, you will have three choices.

1) Live with it as is.
2) Remove the monotube system and replace it with a set of stock GL1800 guts and add fork extensions.
3) Have a left side fork extension custom milled to accept the Progressive monotube system and match the length with a Champion or other brand fork extension on the right side.

If it were me, I'd probably go with option 2, but that's your call.



To see the Progressive monotube setup and install/un-install view the video below:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BTpm4Zw8bKY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

 

[scribe5]

All than makes sense, however both caps are the same---both have that hexnut/bolt in the middle.

 

[Papa Zook]

All than makes sense, however both caps are the same---both have that hexnut/bolt in the middle.

You still may have internal mods to the forks. To find out you would need to remove the front wheel and fender, loosen the pinch bolts (see video) and slide the fork tubes out and see what you have. If the caps are not fork tube extensions which it looks like there aren't, then remove the left side cap and screw a fork tube extension into the fork and see if it seats all the way down against the fork tube. If it does, then you're good to go with just adding the extensions. If it wont seat, then you have an internal mod, likely the Progressive one.

 

[scribe5]

Again, thanks for taking the time to help me puzzle this out. Since the trike rides and handles very well, I will leave well enough alone for now.

 

[strohmc]

Looks just like the extension caps on my 2003 Champion with their 4.5 rake.

 

[scribe5]

Well, after trying to find out what was what with that mystery screw in the top of the fork caps, I got in touch with Champion--duh--should have been the first thing to do. Here is what they said:
The M10x1.5x20mm SHCS and M10 crush washer are the fill hole screw and washer.
by removing it you can add fork fluid if needed.
Thank you


Bill Swift
sales manager
bills@championsidecars.com
1-800-875-0949 ext 103

I think this is a good idea on the part of Champion...Thanks to all who jumped in and especially to Bazooka who took the time....