Tri-Glide Trees

What little I know you will have to have a way to extend the forks. If the information I received is correct this is done on the Tri Glide by having longer lower legs. In order to use the lower legs you would have to change a lot like wheel, brakes. I have looked at fork tubes but cannot fine any that are only 1 inch longer. Not even sure the trees will work on a 05. If I am not mistaken the trees even on the two wheelers changed in 09. I was was considering doing it but looks like it would be way to expensive and cheaper just to by a aftermarket raked tree. I have a 02 ultra.

I have the tri-glide trees on a 2003 FLHTC and have put on more than 7,000 miles with no problems. You have to extend the forks 2" to keep it level. I did it with spacers.

Does any one know what the rake is on the tri glide? If you need two inches I would just buy 2 inch over tubes.
Thanks
Jeff

I found this while searching about this subject. It seems to be a pretty complete description of how to use the Tri-Glide trees and fork tubes on a sidecar rig.
http://www.ultraboy.us/Harley%20Raked%20Triple%20Trees.pdf

davet - 9/6/2012 9:56 PM

I found this while searching about this subject. It seems to be a pretty complete description of how to use the Tri-Glide trees and fork tubes on a sidecar rig.
http://www.ultraboy.us/Harley%20Raked%20Triple%20Trees.pdf

Thanks for listing that link. So I am guessing the early and late model brakes have the same spacing for the caliper which is VERY cool. I all so like the thought of not have any spacers or extensions. Looking at the pictures sure looks like a heck of a lot of rack. All so wonder what the difference in ground clearance might be between a trike and a HD rig. Will to some checking on this.

I did some tweaking on mine tonight and not sure I am going to change as I got it where it steers SO MUCH easier and does not pull to either side. But I will save a copy of the articular and thanks again.

I do not know when the articular was wrote but the tubes are over $550 now at Lake Shore HD. Might do better just to get 2 inch over tubes. More checking to do.

How did you tweak your adjustment to get where you are now? My rig still has a little pull to the right and it takes a little more effort to turn left at lower speeds. I am pretty much at zero degrees lean on the bike and sidecar wheel and I'm pretty sure my toe-in is correct. Where do you have your lean-in or out set? Thanks, Dave

No sure what bike and hack you have. I have a 2002 Ultra with a 2006 hack. I have right at 3/4 inch toe in and about 1 degree lean out. If he hack pulls to the right you can either put a little more toe in it or better as long as you do not need to much lean it out.

Here is the funny part. I have put about 100 miles on it and thought it out to turn better then it does at speed on small curves all so it was pulling to the right just a little. I did some more lean out and did not make much difference. Last evening I checked my toe and had 5/8 toe out. I am very surprised it drove as well as it did. I have only put about 5 miles on it since I reset it but boy what a difference. Raked trees are not going to fix poor alignment.

No please understand I am not an expert but I am learning fast.

Addingto the 3/4" toe-in will just wear out tires. Add lean-out to fight road crown.

I have a 93 Tour Glide with a 96 TLE sidecar. I will put a little lean-out into it next week and see how that works. Its nice that it is the easiest adjustment to make. I think my toe-in is good, I don't want to go too far with the lean out, I have lifted the sidecar wheel a couple of times without meaning to. It only happened on off camber turns so now I'm a little more careful with those.

Hack'n - 9/7/2012 12:05 PM

Addingto the 3/4" toe-in will just wear out tires. Add lean-out to fight road crown.

When lean out does not do any good and you have 3 to 5 degrees you have to do something and only thing I found is what the HD manual calls for is 3/4 toe in. I do not like riding down the road like I am leaning to the left all the time. I know some with REAL big hacks that have to run a lot more then 3/4 toe in. You have to do what ever it takes to get it to drive properly.

Try a little lean out but if you go to far and does not make a difference I recommend you check your toe. The whole reason for toe in is to help with the drag of the sidecar and not put so much pull on the bike. Yes I do recommend using as little toe in as you can get by with. But with too much lean out it is a really weird felling. Then it gets to a point where the more you lean out does not work well and you have to check your toe. I cannot speak for other sidecars as all I own is my HD hack which are very different from most others from what little I know about others.

I am not an expert at hacks but I have spent no less then about 20 hours this week messing with mine and I think I have it or very close to the sweet spot. Now keep in mine I am having to set both toe and lean by my shelf. I have devised a way I can check my toe by my self but I double check it more as well as my health problems do not make it any easier. For lean I use a magnetic protractor. On yours is it a little harder as you have a drum brake. If you have a framing square make sure the hack tire is 90 degrees from the floor and all so check to make sure the back bar under the hack is level with the floor.

On mine I have a disc brake on the hack so I put the magnetic protractor on the disc of the hack and make sure it is at 90 degrees then check the dis on the front wheel of the bike making sure the wheel is going straight and see what my lean is.

Even thaw I am new to hacks I have been riding and working HD for over 40 years none stop. There is nothing I cannot do to one other then build the crank on a twin cam since they are pressed together. Until I sell my machines I do all my own machine work as well as build many a motor for others. I have two going on right now. Not saying this makes me an expert at hacks but like I said I am learning FAST.

Mr Cook
What are you running for toe-in and lean out on your Liberty?

3/4" toe-in measured from in front of the front tire and in back of the rear tire. Guage standard against the rear wheel only. 1 degree positive leanout driver off of bike. I weigh 180#.
I get neutral steering up to 105 mph with a loaded sidecar.

Lonnie