Trying to decide on whether to rake or not to rake front end

[Lil Red Hen]

I have had several people tell me not to rake and some say the opposite. Could someone give me some much needed information on their experiences with and without. Lil red hen

[BLACK DRAGON]

Hello, I rode my Valkyrie trike for about 3000 km on a lot of twisty hyways. Then 2 weeks ago had a Steerite triple tree kit and heavy duty front fork springs from Progressive suspensions installed at local Honda dealer.
It was like day and night. Now trike steers like power steering yet I still feel the road. No more head shake wiggle of front end at lower speeds.
Should have had it done when I triked her.
Kits for Steerite front end from Peter at sideeffects.com or net search steerite in Kamloops, BC, Canada.
Terry

[Nana]

I have the Champion EZ steer rake on my trike, and it is wonderful. I test drove one without the rake before triking my Fat Boy, and personally would only recommend getting the rake --- MUCH easier to handle with it!

[Gorilla]

I'll throw my 2 cents worth in here. I'm by no means an expert. I have only riden about 7 different trikes. I have riden a 1997 GL1500 with California Side car conversion. I believe this was an older conversion with the Ford rearend. It had an EZ-STEER. I rode it about 2000 miles and it drivers like a dream. Suzuki 650 with Tow-pac conversion. No added rake and is a little touchy, but drives fine at all speads. Valkie with DFT conversion no rake drove about 10 miles no issues.

Harley Tri-Glide. I do not believe these have any added rake, but does have a steering stabilizor right from the factory. It also rode well. Rode it about 20 miles including 10 highway at 70+ mph. Lehman same as Harley (Gee I wonder why) And last the Stallion which is factory built with what would be considered extra rake. The Stallion drives great. Motortrike says for you to try the Harley conversion without the rake before deciding if you need it. Champion sells an EZ-STEER but also said try it first for the Harley Conversion without.

I get the FEELING ONLY that the Harley conversions you can try first without added rake then decide, but the Honda's should have the added rake. That's my observation only.

Now bottom line I have not read or heard of anyone saying that added rake was bad for the conversion and they restored the rake back to stock.

Ted

[bigdave]

I'm on my second trike and tried them both without raking the front end. I live in Washington with lots of mountain curves. I ended up with a GL1800 and a Trike shop conversion. I also raked the Gl with a 5 1/2 degree rake kit from The Trike Shop. Wouldn't have it any other way. I'm big and strong but I still got tired out working though the curves without the rake kit.

Dave

[FBTRIKE]

I agree with tmigala in that bikes vary in their need for raked trees and the amount of rake....unfortunatly it gets a little technical to judge without actually riding. But if you know what trail is on a particular bike, then you can pretty much tell how hard it will be to steer when triked.

Bikes with more trail, will steer harder. Adding a raked triple tree or EZ steer, reduces the amount of trail, making it easier too steer. The greater the amount of rake the greater the reduction in trail. Too little trail and the trike can be twitchy, too sensitive.

[Juju]

I'm still in the trike-buying process, too. (Zook, notice that I did not say the "shopping" process, since I've already made my decision! )

I test-drove two Honda trikes without rake kits and one with. Like Black Dragon says, the difference is like night and day. Zook will be building my Honda VTX 1300 trike WITH Champion EZ Steer included.

[saybel]

I just installed a Trike Shop conversion on my Ultra without a rake kit. I only have about 2k on the conversion, and am also trying to decide on a rake kit or not. My wife and I love to ride the back roads (twisties) through the forests. We will be going south for two months in February, may know more then. The trike rides great, but is a little more work than I would like through the tight curves.

[Nana]

I just installed a Trike Shop conversion on my Ultra without a rake kit. I only have about 2k on the conversion, and am also trying to decide on a rake kit or not. My wife and I love to ride the back roads (twisties) through the forests. We will be going south for two months in February, may know more then. The trike rides great, but is a little more work than I would like through the tight curves.

A big welcome to the forum, saybel! Sounds like you've got a nice set-up. If you can find a similar trike with a rake or EZ steer kit to try, I think you would see a huge difference on the twisties. Keep us updated on your ride and your trips, and post some pictures in the garage.

[saybel]

A big welcome to the forum, saybel! Sounds like you've got a nice set-up. If you can find a similar trike with a rake or EZ steer kit to try, I think you would see a huge difference on the twisties. Keep us updated on your ride and your trips, and post some pictures in the garage.

Nana, thanks for the welcome.

I would like to ride a trike with a rake kit, if I get a chance I will give it a try. In February my wife and I will be heading south for two months , hope to get in a lot of riding, may have some trips to report at that time. As far as pictures I think I will wait until the snow stops falling .

[ThirdWheel]

Ridden both ways I think of it as power steering for a trike.

[saybel]

FBTRIKE
Thanks for the input, that's a lot better price than I've seen, also good to have first hand info on the quality.

[saybel]

Bazooka
Thanks again for the info, this is the type of information I'm looking for. Would never have considered the difference between bike and trike triple trees

[saybel]

I have had several people tell me not to rake and some say the opposite. Could someone give me some much needed information on their experiences with and without. Lil red hen

Lil Red Hen
I apologize if I've taken over your tread, didn't mean to, and hope the info posted is also helpful to you.

[Nana]

We are glad you built on a previous, connected thread, saybel. That is what they are there for, and the knowledge gleaned helps all of us. Keep up the postings---it is great!

[Sammyd58]

have spent a lonnnggg time readin about raking... Bazooka can you or somebody recommend a kits looking for 3 degree cups.Help..

Sammyd58

[cjmitch]

I have had several people tell me not to rake and some say the opposite. Could someone give me some much needed information on their experiences with and without. Lil red hen

2005 Motortrike conversion straight axel.

Ok here goes.. I have never had a rake on my trike, and I will never put one on unless its to sell it.

Why..

if you learn how to pilot your bike with your body instead of using your arms then you will not need a rake on a Motortrike 1800 trike.

this is because the mt conversions have a shorter wheelbase and can be handled well without it.

Not so on the larger wheelbase units like Hannigan, Roadsmith, and CSC.

And definitely if you are triking a 1500 which by the nature of its stock rake will almost require a rake.

I could go on and on about how you should be steering your trike, but thats not what you asked. THAT can be a longer discussion.

How that helped some.