rake and trail help

[dago713]

I have a 2011 fxdf with 29 degree steering head. 34 degrees on the tubes with a 19 " front tire on a champion kit.

I also have a 6 degree trip tree that I can install if needed.

What is the best rake and trail to shoot for? The bike is great on the road but a pain in the twisties.

Do I need longer tubes or more rake? Any ideas would be helpful. thanks dago713

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Ray, Welcome to Trike Talk

There is no real magic number for every one

Have a look here for a calculator http://www.whosyadaddy.com/rake_trail_calculator.htm

[paws]

Hey Ray.. Welcome to TrikeTalk from the Texas Hill Country! Always happy to have another Texan on the forum. When you get it figured out the 3 Sisters will be waiting!

[stacebg]

put the raked trees on and the extensions u will be happy i am sure

[Gorilla]

welcome ray

[LadyonaMission]

Nice to have another Texan aboard.

[dago713]

Thanks for the replies.

Jack- Thanks for the info.

Paws, I have done all 3 sisters many times, I have had to fight the turns too much to call it fun, that is the reason I am trying to get the rake and trail right,

stacebg- no extensions in this kit,that is the reason I am asking about longer tubes.

I am going to do the math off of what jack posted and see what I come up with.

thanks Dago

[dago713]

Jack , I did the math the bike has 5 degree trees and 2.03 trail. If i add 2" to the tubes {34"} I would have 2.37 trail.

Do you think this would lighten up the front and make it better?

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[stacebg]

Jack , I did the math the bike has 5 degree trees and 2.03 trail. If i add 2" to the tubes {34"} I would have 2.37 trail.

Do you think this would lighten up the front and make it better?

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

i think u will be happy and surprised how that will handle

either one

[Jack Klarich]

Jack , I did the math the bike has 5 degree trees and 2.03 trail. If i add 2" to the tubes {34"} I would have 2.37 trail.

Do you think this would lighten up the front and make it better?

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

That should work pretty good

[dago713]

After talking with zook and hhi, I am going to install the new 6 degree trees next week with the stock length tubes.

will let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the input.



. Dago

[Gorilla]

cool take your time its not that hard. steering head nut torque very important.

[dago713]

After talking with Zook and HHI I will install next week just the 6 degree trees and see if it improves the turning.

I will let you know how it goes.

[stacebg]

After talking with Zook and HHI I will install next week just the 6 degree trees and see if it improves the turning.

I will let you know how it goes.

this like "if you ride a bike, not a matter of IF you get rained on but a matter of WHEN"

For the new trees it not a matter of IF it will help but a matter of HOW MUCH it will help

you WILL be surprised i am sure

[dago713]

I had the new 6* trees installed to replace the 5* trees. The old trees had one fork tube crushed into a deep divit. The spring was a bitch to remove. It seems the spring would not fully expand after a bump and always had a load on it.

The trike now has good rebound and dampening. The change in handling has improved .

I now know the way a trike should feel when set up properly.

The bad thing is that the original owner spent good money to install the 5* trees only to have the the guy over tighten the the lower tree bolt causing the rough ride.

I am happy the way it turned out.

Thanks for all the helpful ideas from everyone. Dago