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Will this help? 2001 FLSTS

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(@woodyambison)
Posts: 63
Topic starter
 

Hey Gang just found this http://vulcanworks.net/store/Harley-Springer-Softail-Rake-Kit.html
Will this be enough to lighten up the steering effort?
Thanks to all.

 
Posted : June 6, 2016 3:26 pm
(@trikebldr)
Posts: 106
 

Nope! Just the opposite. With this kit you will be increasing the trail, also increasing steering effort!

 
Posted : June 6, 2016 6:34 pm
(@al-olme)
Posts: 1711
 

Just another form over function accessory for HD. NOT at all desirable if you want your rig, or even your two wheeler to handle better.

 
Posted : June 7, 2016 3:56 am
(@jaydmc)
Posts: 1795
 

You are not trying to change the "rake" at all. Many people mistakenly call changing the angle of the forks at the triple tree's "raking" the front end. We are not changing the rake to lower steering effort. The company offering this is changing the rake internal to the steering head of the frame. This does change rake but again, rake is not what you are looking to change, you want to change trail. So you want a triple tree that moves the front wheel forward by a couple of inches which while it looks like "rake" it is not.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793
www.dmcsidecars.com

 
Posted : June 7, 2016 5:13 am
(@woodyambison)
Posts: 63
Topic starter
 

Thanks to everyone for your input. I am hot on the TRAIL now !

 
Posted : June 7, 2016 9:24 am
(@trikebldr)
Posts: 106
 

Woody,
I think what you are looking for to reduce the steering effort on your bike-sidecar rig, if it has a springer front end, is longer rockers that move the axle forward. That is basically what leading-link and leading-leg systems do. Moving the axle forward reduces trail, reducing steering effort. With longer rockers on a springer front end, though, you also effectively soften the spring rate, so stiffer springs would be required to retain the same support, or some kind of shim to bring the stock springs up to a higher force level.
I have talked to a couple of springer front end owners who also didn't like the added twist that longer rockers apply to their forks. They say it makes them feel kind mushy. Springer front ends were just never meant to sustain much side loading, like sidecars apply.
Sorry if this is bad news, but bit is reality!

 
Posted : June 7, 2016 3:03 pm
(@swampfox)
Posts: 1883
 

Woody, here's a discussion re: changing trail on a Springer front-end: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9832&posts=13&start=1

Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox

 
Posted : June 7, 2016 4:11 pm