Greetings!
I am putting together a Sportster Hack and would like to change the trail for better handling. I have been advised that it's possible to modify the upper clamp at the stem bolt to kick the forks out some and shorten the trail. Imagine the grinding the stem hole into an elongated circle, going towards the handlebar mounts. This would be the poor-man's raked triple clamps. I've also been researching on this forum and others and they keep mentioning shortening the trail by modifying the upper clamp but I haven't seen any mention on how they've modified the upper clamp. I'm guessing that it's the way I've described but it just seems a little 'wrong' with the bottom clamps still on the original angle. I've considered at least bevelling the edges of the lower clamp to minimize the sharp edges and possible 'pinching' or damaging the tubes.
Thoughts?
Thanx.
Weazel
There are vendors listed here who have engineered modifications and cut, alter, bore and reweld stock triple trees for sidecar work and sell them.
Existing neck angle and stock tree rake are taken into consideration as is certified TIG welding ability.
Some also have made from scratch trees available for certain models.
If you have these capabilities, go for it but you will have to work with both the upper and lower clamps to ensure a proper fitting up of the fork tubes.
If not I would suggest contacting one of our vendors.
A "Mortis" rigged front end is not the best way to go (it may be the quickest though).
Lonnie
I'd be very careful in making modifications to the triple trees yourself. Merely modifying the upper tree isn't going to do what you want since the lower tree would no longer be correct, as you mentionied.
If I really wanted to change the fork trail, I'd just go ahead and get a set from a company that builds them from scratch. That way you are getting equipment upon which you can rely. It's worth the extra cost to be sure that they aren't going to break or slip. JMO.
You guys are probably right. This was originally going to be a KZ750 powered rig with a total investment of about $2500. After stumbling across the 1200 Sporty as a tug my total costs will have nearly doubled, althugh the kewlness factor will have nearly tripled ; ' )
I have way too many motorized mouths to feed so I'm just being cheap...
Thanx.
