 Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2008
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What about lowering the bike by changing the shocks back and widen the front fork angle to match the new height??
The pressure on the fork will change, will stock fork hold or do I need another one??
Does this operation have any inpact on the front wheel breaks??
Perhaps this is a huge operation for a quite small makeover...
Any advice in this matter?
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I wonder if you're talking about raking the frame or the triple trees via off-set cups? Each of these would at least slightly alter handling in separate ways by the effect each would have on trail. A bit of each is preferable when stretching out the front end,but that doubles an already overwhelming job.
Remember off-set cups,which wouldn't change handling much, sometimes require a longer stem because of the increased angle. I'm not sure with these bikes.
If you're just looking to slam your bike, I dropped my rear shocks 2" and my forks 2". Didn't have to change my kickstand, and my bike handles fantastic.
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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Quote:
I wonder if you're talking about raking the frame or the triple trees via off-set cups?
Thanks for a quick answer !
Im afraid Im too much of a rookie to know what any of these terms means 
I want both a slammed look and a less steep angle on the front fork. Think that both looks good.
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Sven,I can build customs but I can't even follow the directions to post a picture here. If installing a progressive suspension lowering kit is out of your level of expertise, it could get a bit pricey. And you'll have to cut your lower fork tins,(there's a trick if you're interested), or lose them. But these bikes look so nice slammed. 
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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I could manage to install a lowering kit I guess. Yea, they do look awsome  shanging angle of fork I would leave to friends that are more skilled. But its good to know all the aspects of a mod before sawing the bike to pieces hahahhahaha. Ill se if I can help you with the pic. Check your mail.
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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all ya need are 2 things a sawzall and duct tape.  really lowering with a front spring kit and shorter rear shocks is not that complicated. If you follow the directions (guessing the spring kit comes with them) and take your time and are the least bit mechanicly inclined you should be able to do it. Or if you have a mechaincly inclined friend to help you out. Kind of hard to see here because of the bags but I lowered Wendys bike 2" in the back and left the front stock.  It handles very well and doesn't scape except in the very rare case when the rear tip of the exhaust scraped. I lowered the front 2" after lowering the rear and it scraped too easily so I put it back.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Oct 2007
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so for those of you who have lowered your bikes via new shocks in the back and spring kit in front, is there anything else we need to be aware of if we're considering lowering the bike? Are there other parts that have to be altered, moved, or chopped? I seem to remember reading about someone having to alter the airbox or cut a chain guard, but I could totally be making that up. Memory is getting fuzzier and fuzzier... 
My '07 "For three days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off." Johnny Carson
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Nope I had to make a few changes when I lowered Wendys bike. I lowered hers 2" though. I had to cut the front of the chain guard to clear the frame and the one tab on the Freak bracket had to be bent out of the way or cut off to clear the chain. I had to do this because I bought 2" shorter shocks that have full travel. Tom (brokenfixed) got his already lowered by cutting or heating and allowing to sag the rear springs, so he lost travel but his chain guard doesn't need to be cut.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Quote:
all ya need are 2 things a sawzall and duct tape.
I have bought the duct tape now, will be at it tonight 
your bike looks great.
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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My bike is a 2003 Speedmaster. I installed progressive suspension 412's, 2" shorter and progressive suspension front lowering kit(the kit allows installer to choose 1" or 2" drop via choice of damper springs, I chose 2"). The only other mod I had to do was Cut my front lower tins to clear the fender. This I accomplished by covering the outside of the tin with masking tape to avoid scratches, then sliding a length of appropriately sized dowel inside to hold the shape ,then cut in band saw. The sidestand requires parking on no more then level ground. 
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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Are there any "chopper kits" around for our bikes??
Iv done a quick search on internet and I was only shown kits for harley and japanese bikes...
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Nope. You gotta roll your own.
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Nope. You gotta roll your own.
Well Put! 
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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To a certain extent there are. There was a guy on Ebay selling semi rolling chassis on a hardtail frame. Included the rear wheel and sprotor with caliper and rear break res. Price was right too. It was a business with a website other than the Ebay listing but I haven't been able to find it again. There are other people making hardtail frames for our engines though but it's up to you to collect the rest of the parts.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Quote:
Are there any "chopper kits" around for our bikes??
Iv done a quick search on internet and I was only shown kits for harley and japanese bikes...
Bitter end Choppers make one, see halfway down the page.
TBA, Stainless extractors / drag pipes, 65mm over forward controls, Thruxton needles, 904cc, head ported, lowered 1-inch, Console removed, relocated battery box, Australia.
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Still, these are not really "kits."
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Still, these are not really "kits."
Yeah, it's hard to call it a kit when the only thing you keep is your motor and your seat. Oh no, wait our seat won't fit that frame. Sven is looking to rake out his front end on his beautiful(brand new) bike. I'm looking into the possibility of installing raked cups for him. This seems like uncharted territory for our bikes. Bueler,Bueler, Bueler,anyone?
Strangler
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 Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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When they made the Thruxton, it was given an 18" front wheel to steepen the rake. You could try that, or slide the fork tubes up through the triple clamp a bit. Not too much or you could have clearence problems.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Somebody made custom raked triple trees. One or two others did a little hack-job on the steering head, tilting it back a few degrees. Both are custom one-offs.
I'm actually a bit surprised to have seen 3 different sets of custom triple trees. Besides the custom raked set I mentioned above, someone else did just a set of straight-replacement (nicer looking) trees, and another did a "wide glide" set. Too bad none of these guys are set up for manufacturing. I'd definitely look at a stock-spec replacement set. I've got the grodie-looking rough cast '02 lower yoke.
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Thank you for great imput everyone! Iv been reading up on the technical terms now. Going to ask around what mods will be legal and not too. Sweden is a land of a million safety laws.
Working 24-7 at the moment, will dig deeper into your advises in some days. Thanks again.
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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Help! Front lowering kit,where can I find one?
-I'm only human.Although I regret it.-
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Re: Front fork angle
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Quote:
Help! Front lowering kit,where can I find one?
At your hardware store or in an electricians toolbox!
I just did mine like this:
1. Pull forks apart completely.
2. Use electrical 32mm conduit glued into a 32mm coupling, then cut to 25mm length. Needs a little bit of filing on the outside to make it fit into the inner fork tube. I made it out of PVC conduit so it does not scratch anything inside. You can alternatively use anything the same diameter as the rebound damper spring.
3. This piece then sits above the rebound damper spring (at bottom end of forks) to basically make the forks sit 25mm lower.
4. Then the pre-load tube needs to be trimmed down. I cut mine 20mm shorter so that the bike has a little bit more pre-load than stock set-up.
5. Rebuild the forks and fill with 10W fork oil. Note the forks actually take approx 520mls of oil each, NOT 480 like the manuals says. I learned the hard way because I only bought 1-litre of oil and had to go out and get more.
Mine work excellent, so I'm glad I didn't 'fork' out for the progressive lowering kit.
Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Last edited by Runner0023; 03/10/2008 7:24 AM.
TBA, Stainless extractors / drag pipes, 65mm over forward controls, Thruxton needles, 904cc, head ported, lowered 1-inch, Console removed, relocated battery box, Australia.
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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Many thanks,Runner!
I'm an electrician,so I should find necessary hardware from my van!
It's so easy.One just needs to know where to ask!!!
-I'm only human.Although I regret it.-
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Jan 2008
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OP
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Cups are to be prefered I think, a lesser operation then raking 
Metal head!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
so for those of you who have lowered your bikes via new shocks in the back and spring kit in front, is there anything else we need to be aware of if we're considering lowering the bike? Are there other parts that have to be altered, moved, or chopped? I seem to remember reading about someone having to alter the airbox or cut a chain guard, but I could totally be making that up. Memory is getting fuzzier and fuzzier...
I swapped for progressive 412s (11.5") and progressive lowering kit for the front (1" in front). The only thing to consider is that if tyou have long pipes you are going to scrape in truns. I eliminated some of this by stiffening the rear suspension but if I really get agressive (which I try not to) Ill scrape a bit.
A 2" drop all around might be a whole different story.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
Quote:
Quote:
so for those of you who have lowered your bikes via new shocks in the back and spring kit in front, is there anything else we need to be aware of if we're considering lowering the bike? Are there other parts that have to be altered, moved, or chopped? I seem to remember reading about someone having to alter the airbox or cut a chain guard, but I could totally be making that up. Memory is getting fuzzier and fuzzier...
I swapped for progressive 412s (11.5") and progressive lowering kit for the front (1" in front). The only thing to consider is that if tyou have long pipes you are going to scrape in truns. I eliminated some of this by stiffening the rear suspension but if I really get agressive (which I try not to) Ill scrape a bit.
A 2" drop all around might be a whole different story.
Again, for what it's worth, my 2003 Speedmaster is slammed 2" front and rear with stock(gutted) pipes. I ride pretty aggressively and my pipes never scrape. Remember while you're dropping the front,the rear only changes above the axle,(no change in pipe clearance). I was concerned about this. My measurement showed about a 1" drop in the exhaust. Go ahead and slam it! 
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Well when you lower the front the rear does change besides over the axle. The axle works like a fulcrum, so when the front goes down anything behind the rear axle comes up a little.
I'm suprised you don't scrape Paul, Wendys scraped way too easily for me when I lowered front and rear. Now that just the rear is lowered 2" on a rare occasion if the road is crowned in a corner or going out of a steep driveway the tip of her pipes might scrape. With both ends lowered I was scraping the kickstand and front of the pipe as well as the rear.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Well when you lower the front the rear does change besides over the axle. The axle works like a fulcrum, so when the front goes down anything behind the rear axle comes up a little.
I'm surprised you don't scrape Paul, Wendy's scraped way too easily for me when I lowered front and rear. Now that just the rear is lowered 2" on a rare occasion if the road is crowned in a corner or going out of a steep driveway the tip of her pipes might scrape. With both ends lowered I was scraping the kickstand and front of the pipe as well as the rear.
You're absolutely right. A more appropriate statement would be that a 2" difference in shock length and a 2" difference in spring length does not yield a 2" drop in overall height as proven by our good friend Pythagoras. This concept is not lost on you. My bike doesn't scrape but I'm sure it's real close when I'm in the deep twisties. From what I hear I should consider my self lucky, Wendy may be a more aggressive rider then me. I guess if she were my girl, I'd be riding B**ch. 
Strangler
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Re: Front fork angle
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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LOL, it doesn't scrape when she rides ,it scrapes when I test ride it! It only scrapes with her on it going out of a steep driveway at the wrong angle.I test ride harder than I would normally ride too so there is no chance she will scrape. She is inexperienced and might panic.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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