I have a 1991 Harley Softail Springer with a 2005 Motorvation Spyder and with a steering damper provided by Motorvation. The car was self installed using provided parts from Motorvation. Very easy install, very good instructions and EXCELLENT SUPPORT from Mary and Motorvation.
I have been told to get rid of the Springer forks if I want an easier steering ride, I have been told that I need more trail to steer easier and that there is no way to get more trail from a Springer, and I have been told I need longer rockers thus giving me more trail and easier steering.
I love my Springer front end. Together with the Spyder sidecar it really sets my ride apart from the rest. I hate to think I have to lose my Springer forks to get an easier steering ride.
OH, I forgot to mention, I am an activated Reservist with the Army stationed at Ft. Sill, OK. And thanks to the Army I do not have a right leg now, so the Spyder is a must, or I fall over at stop signs. 🙂
Questions:
How do I make it steer easier?
Anyone know of a company making longer rockers, especially ones that don't require a second mortgage.
Do they make different trees that I could install which would give me more trail?
Thanks in advance,
Larry
MAJ William L. O'Daniel
S-6, 2nd SEG, 1st Bde, 75th DIV(TS)
Ft. Sill, OK
We reduce traii on the front of the springers by cutting the rockes into 3 parts and splicing them back together longer. We do this in a weld jig to keep the rockers straight. You also need to modify the fender mount to work with the longer rockers.
Jay Giese
Dauntless Motors Corporation
866-638-1793
www.dauntlessmotors.com
What are you using for handlebars? The 5o's style wide flanders would give you lot's of leverage and keep a retro look. THe tiny dragbars, tall apes and buckhorn pullback styles common on customs may not give you much leverage and could contribute to the problem.
Could be a cheaper place to start.
VW
Presently I am using the stock "Buckhorns" that came on the bike in 1991. Never really thought about changing the bars, felt that the stock ones gave enough leverage but maybe they don't.
Thanks for the input,
Larry
Using the stock Harley Wideglide bars will make steering easier and they are quite reasonable in price, about $50. and you won't have to change any cables or brake lines.
Lonnie
http://www.vulcanworks.net/Fork-Cup-Set-3-Degree-Rake-1989--Up-FLST-p-250.html
http://www.libertysidecars.com/product5.htm
You can buy an offset bearing cup for about $160 or Liberty can remachine the upper and lower trees for more rake fo $900.
I'm not sure how extending the rockers change the spring rate ratio if you choose that method.
It is very heavy to steer without rake modification
Any body install that three degree fork cup kit from vulcan? looks interesting
if you put them in backwards to essentially "derake" the frame you could reduce the trail a little
i did a quick layout using 30 degree rake and a 2.5" offset starting with 4" of trail then put in the 3 degree cups and i come up with less than an inch of reduced trail
which would help but imho hardly enough to bother with
stacy
Trail on a springer is about 6 inches. Reducing it to 3 inches essentially increases your leverage by a factor of 2 (6" divided by 3"). This shoud reduce steering effort by 50% so I'm told. I am still arm stronging it and it takes tremendous strength. It is just a bad (and dangerous) bike for a sidecar without the modification. Only the Springer has that much (6 inches) of trail. In the 40's Harley made an adjustable rake springer front for it's sidecar models.
Trail calculator below.
"In the 40's Harley made an adjustable rake springer front for it's sidecar models. "
i think you will find the adjustable tree was for the telescopic rather than the springer
Hey all, I decided to try those 3 degree fork cups from Vulcan Eng. I just sent an order in, don't know how soon I'll install it, but will take good measurements & see how much the front wheel moves, for $160.00 I think it's worth a try, let ya know,Doc.
If you put the cups in backwards to reduce rake won't you increase the height of the front end? The set uses a longer stem whichwould compensate for lost height when raking out. You would probably be better off doing the triple tree offset to rake out5 degrees and keep the origianl 32 degree steering head. This would reduce trail significantly. Costly though.
Cyrus, I don't know what you mean, your supposed to rake the front end out, we will see what 3 degrees will do, Doc.
Dave look at the rake geometry here
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/advchoppercalc.html
Dave you need to rake out by modifying the triple trees and keep the steering head at 32 degrees. Springers are triple tree raked back alot ,-you can see it on the bike by exending an imaginary line throught the steering head to the ground. It hits a point about 6 inches ahead of the tire contact point. When you rake out with modified triple trees like Liberty does, then you reduce trail and then reduce the leverage the bike has and its inhernet ability to want to go straight. Springers are very high speed stable and really want to go straight with 6 inches trail. A shopping cart caster is what we are aiming for! But then it is unstable while solo.
I have those cups, they act like a raked neck, it increases the rake AND the trail. The trail needs to be decreased if you want to lessen steering effort.
