Harley Rake Kits

[Papa Zook]

Heres a DEAL for TrikeTalk.com members: Rake kits for all FLH models (Ultra, Electra Glide, Road Glide, Road King) and all Soft Tail Heritage or Fat Boy Tripple Trees regular price is $995 but we will discount to all TrikeTalk.com members to $796. These are 100% USA Made, machined billet aluminum 6061 alloy with new tapered bearings, races and free fork tube extensions and come with one year factory warranty. You may purchase via secure PayPal or Credit Card payment on the "Rakes By Zook" ad on the lower right hand side of this page.

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Just wanted to post that I finally installed my rake kit this week I purchased from you. I took my time and had the front end re-assembled by the end of the day. Granted I didnt have to remove a whole fairing assembly but I did work from a wheel chair doing it

Thanks again Randy

[SEAlaskan]

Just a heads up to let everyone know I will be shooting video of the installation of every model rake we sell starting with the Honda GL1800 rake install and a Harley FLH install next week. (others to come) These will be a very detailed, step by step instructional video from start to finish covering every step of the process, from removing and reinstalling the tupperware (plastics) and every fastener, to applying correct torque values, setting fall away, installing fork extensions, changing your fork oil, etc. The video will be available with every rake kit sold for an additional $10.

Is it possible to just order the video?

Butch

[Spur]

I am debating a rake kit,for my 1995 FLH, progressive springs in front. Champion kit, handlebars higher and wider(not ape hangers). VPC. My problem is Rheum. Art. in my wrists and hands which makes the trike control painful at times. I am putting progressive 13.5 shocks in back. 55k on the bike. One owner and I will have it for life. I would like your opinion on the rake. 4 or 6 degrees?

[Gorilla]

I would suggest PM ing Bazooka and get a suggestion from the expert. I think 6

[stacebg]

imo if you are having issues with your wrists with no hesitation go 6 and dont let anyone talk you out of it....

have a bout 6 in my flh ... would like a bit more and on my v max which is a wideglide front end thats perfect

[Papa Zook]

Until fairly recently, I seldom recommended anything more than a 4 - 4.5 degree rake on any trike, I considered it overkill, but my opinion is slowly starting to change since Ive done many more 6 degree sales & installs this year than ever before, mainly due to the brand of trikes I'm selling now, along with the members here. I still cannot say a 6 degree rake is the best bet for every trike/rider but in some cases it could be an appropriate choice.

These would be:

1) A person with arthritis, or who is of small build or has limited upper body strength would benefit from the reduced steering input required of a 6 degree rake.



2) The longer/wider IRS trike conversions like the Hannigans, Roadsmiths & CSCs. Along with being longer and wider, the Hannigan and Roadsmith conversions are equipped with a trailing arm suspension design and tend to have a taller stance in the rear. The combination of increased length and width and increased height in the rear make a 6 degree rake (5 degree for Harleys) a good choice for these style of trikes.

3) A person who lives in mountainous areas where they ride the twisties on a regular basis. Regardless of their trike design/make/length/with or their upper body strength, a 6 degree could be beneficial for these owners.

4) Any and all Honda VTX-1300, VTX-1800 and Valkyries need a 6 degree rake. Some owners even choose to go with an 8 degree on these if they ride the twisties a lot. Remember, a 6 / 8 degree is to a VTX or Valkyrie as a 4 / 6 degree is to a GL-1800.

Those who live and ride primarily in a Texas or Kansas type environment where the riding is mostly long and straight and there are often windy conditions may want to stay with the 4.5 degree, but could certainly still benefit from a 6 degree.

The above circumstances should be considered, but your choice is still subject to your own personal preference. Some like more driver input, some like less. I still sell about two to one 4.5 degree rakes over the 6 degree, but the 6s are definitely increasing in large part due to the popularity of the newer wide IRS trikes. There is not a wrong choice, as a 4.5, 5, 5.5 or 6 degree rake will make a vast improvement over no rake at all. If you've heard stories of a 6 degree being squirrely and too sensitive, this can absolutely be avoided by the proper installation and setup of the rake kit itself along with running the right air pressure in your tires and making sure your trike kit is aligned properly during install.

Upon installation of the rake, the races must be seated properly and the steering stem nut torqued to the proper specs with the correct fall away, otherwise the front end can and will feel light/loose. Achieving this isn't rocket science and is very simple to achieve. I put my Honda replacement races in the freezer for a couple of hours and then use a tapered race driver to set (seat) them and then torque to 40 ft lbs and rotate the trees back and forth several times and back off until just snug, not floppy which is usually around 30 ft lbs. If this is done, the front end wort be squirrely... Lighter, yes but not squirrely. If it is, look to your three tire's air pressure and rear axle alignment. I recommend 20-25 in the rear tires and always the max recommended pressure in the front tire, per the tire's stated specs, usually 41 lbs. Rear axle alignment can be easily checked by various methods depending on the maker of your conversion. PM me for instructions on this.

[Bill1BigDog]

I have a 2011 Harley Tri Glide, is there any advantage to changing it with a rake kit? Are the factory Harley rake angles different then the rake kits? Just wondering if there is a definite advantage over stock?

Thanks,

Bill

[Papa Zook]

I have a 2011 Harley Tri Glide, is there any advantage to changing it with a rake kit? Are the factory Harley rake angles different then the rake kits? Just wondering if there is a definite advantage over stock?

Thanks,

Bill

Bill,

The stock TriGlide has a very conservative additional rake of 2.75 degrees over stock attained by the addition of raked triple trees. The most common of the aftermarket rakes are 4-5 degrees. Arlen Ness is advertising raked trees for the TriGlide and I've heard of guys adding raked trees to the TriGlide, but I dont personally know what the results have been. I'm real curious and would make someone a very good deal on a rake kit to see what the results were.

[Bill1BigDog]

OK! What is your very good deal offer, as me as your guinea pig for the Tri Glide users?

Thanks,

Bill

[Papa Zook]

OK! What is your very good deal offer, as me as your guinea pig for the Tri Glide users?

Thanks,

Bill

Call me and we'll work out something.

[harvey]

Listen to Bazooka, I agree with him except the part about Arizona. We have lots of twisties in northern Arizona. Come and see for yourself.

I have built many trikes all with a raked front end. I have experienced both raked and not on the same trike. Much easier to steer with a raked front end. That is how my wife got started with trikes. She took over the possession of my first trike after I put on the rake kit and I had to get another one so I could ride a trike.

I have never experienced any rake more than 6 deg. The longer and wider your trike the more rake you need. But don't get carried away listen to experienced riders. The shorter and narrow trikes need less rake otherwise your trike will be too easy to turn. I told my customers that it is like putting power steering on your grandfathers Studabaker pickup.

[flynng]

Standard rake for CSC is 8 degrees. Harley is 3.5 on the trees stock so it's actually 4.5 over stock. They now offer 11 degree trees. Add the 29.5 neck angle and you end up with 40.5 total. CSC is wider and longer than most others and trust me, I would go with 11 degrees total on the trees if I did it again. I have 8 and it is not enough for a CSC Daytona kit.

Just my take on this.

[Papa Zook]

Standard rake for CSC is 8 degrees. Harley is 3.5 on the trees stock so it's actually 4.5 over stock. They now offer 11 degree trees. Add the 29.5 neck angle and you end up with 40.5 total. CSC is wider and longer than most others and trust me, I would go with 11 degrees total on the trees if I did it again. I have 8 and it is not enough for a CSC Daytona kit.

Just my take on this.

Just to clarify so theres no confusion, flynng means OVERALL rake when he speaks of an 11 degree rake. This means stock rake + the additional rake (with new aftermarket trees) equals total overall rake. Please also note that different trail numbers can be produced even with the same degree rake, depending on the rake kit manufacturer and where their fork tube holes are located in relation to the steering stem hole. Achieving the proper trail setup for your machine and its length, width, weight, suspension, drivers needs and most typical use (twisties, flatlands, drivers needs etc) is the key.

[GARYD]

Just read this thread. I bought a Harley Tri Glide a couple weeks ago and saw Bill's post about modifying the Tri Glide. Has it been done and if so is it any easier making high speed (40mph+)sharp turns compared to the stock setup?

I have a 7 year warrantee package, will a rake conversion void it?

Thanks

[Rog3419]

Bazooka did you get the Video made for installing rake kits yet,, 1800 Honda

[standingbear56]

Hi Bazooka - I have a 93 sporty with a Cass County trike kit installed. Right now I have a stock fork, so the steering is very hard to say the least. What would you recommend? I would like the steering to be as easy as possible, as I have a bad back and it affects my arm strength. I live in a very mountainous area with lots of hills, twisties and back roads, as well as highway riding. Also with the tree you recommend, would I need a fork extension, and if so, how long. Do you sell these also?

Thanks in advance,

Bear

[Papa Zook]

Booze did you get the Video made for installing rake kits yet,, 1800 Honda

I shot the video a while back and unfortunately my daughter saw my camcorder in the car and decided to shoot some video one day and recorded over part of it....so I will re-shoot it on the next rake install.

Hi Bazooka - I have a 93 sporty with a Cass County trike kit installed. Right now I have a stock fork, so the steering is very hard to say the least. What would you recommend? I would like the steering to be as easy as possible, as I have a bad back and it affects my arm strength. I live in a very mountainous area with lots of hills, twisties and back roads, as well as highway riding. Also with the tree you recommend, would I need a fork extension, and if so, how long. Do you sell these also?
Thanks in advance,
Bear

PM sent Bear.

[GARYD]

I have a question in reguards to Harleys Tri Glide. I read Bigdog's post and Bazookas post and I am wondering why the rake on the Tri Glide isn't the most ideal and could be made better. Does it compromise something else if you increase the rake?
Wouldn't it be in Harleys best interest to make it the best right from the start?
After all, they don't have an upgrade kit they could SELL like they do on all their other parts.
Just curious. I don't know anything about stearing geometry. It sounds like alchemy to me.

[Bill1BigDog]

GaryD and others with the TriGlides, I have made the purchase from Bazooka for a rake kit for my TriGlide and the kit looks great. I have been really busy here at work with all the flood events this year. I will be planning on doing the rake kit sometime hopefully in mid November. I'll try to take pictures along the way and report my findings both good and bad, if any. Things have been just too way to busy here, but it is planned soon!