Will sliding the front forks up the triple tree reduce or increase (slightly) the motorcycle trail? I think it should reduce it. What is your opinion? Thank you.
Piero Bassi
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sliding the forks tubes up through the trees will ultimatley REDUCE trail slightly. This is not an opinion just a fact.
Make sure there is room for suspension compression.
I've heard this before and have been curious about it. Does anyone know how much adjustment is needed for an inch of trail reduction? I run a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic with a Champion Legend sidecar. My steering is extremely hard.
Different bikes have many different neck and fork rakes so there is no simple formula to use. Your trail reduction will be minor at best.
The main thing is to make sure that there is no interference from the front wheel or fender when the suspension is completely bottomed out. This can cause contact with radiators, forward controls or other appurtenances that can block sreering and cause a crash or a punctured radiator at best.
Adding a shorter front wheel/tire, or a larger rear one and longer rear shocks, all will help reduce trail somewhat without investing in actual front end modifications.
Lonnie
ignatious - 9/26/2009 6:34 AM
I've heard this before and have been curious about it. Does anyone know how much adjustment is needed for an inch of trail reduction? I run a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic with a Champion Legend sidecar. My steering is extremely hard.
Chances are you won't get a noticeable change by dropping the front end. Cruisers tend to have fairly long trail. What are you running for handlebars? Wide, fairly flat bars will give more leverage than buckhorns or apehangers. Often changing handlebars for more leverage and adjusting the ergos so you can use your muscles more effectively is the cheapest way to make steering effort manageable. Changing your tire profile, suspension and sliding the fork tubes up in the trees can help a a little and might be worth while in conjuction with wider bars.
Otherwise, something lkie a steerite conversion may be in your future
Talk to Pete at http://www.sidecars.ca/ , he should be able to answer any and all questions you may have and for what it's worth he does Damm fine work on changing triple trees
How and will changing a front wheel for smaller wheel change a trail?
Anytime the rear of the frame is raised or the front is lowered there will be a reduction of fork rake.
Any reduction of steering head or fork rake angle will reduce trail somewhat.
Shorter fork tubes or slipping them farther up into the trees, smaller front wheel or tire will help in front. Larger wheel/tire or longer shocks will help in back.
Raked trees or LL's will do more to reduce trail but are usually a more expensive option to ease steering effort.
Lonnie
