What do Valks do during winter in WI?

[Black Dog]

They go to pieces 

Took my lady over to Jim C's 'Man Cave' last Friday...  No better place to work in comfort than his shop...  Outside, the temp is in the teens, inside it's in the 60's, dry, stereo & TV...  Really rough 

My Valk (black one) is being torn down to have a 'prototype' offset Tripple Tree installed by Daryl H (of http://www.vtx-treme.com/ or http://www.xf6-custom.com/ ).  Should reduce trail, and improve low speed manuvers.  Lotsa things gotta be removed before we can get 'er done... 

Jim is replacing all the tins on his bike (removed the perfect ones from his '98 Standard that he found last year, with only 12K on the clock), including a new I/S tank, Fairing, and bags, and has some wild paint ideas for a very cool 'Hot Rod' look.



We're just getting started, and I'll post some 'working' pics, as we progress...

Black Dog

[Mikey]

You better hurry up and get that back together! I'll be riding in 2 weeks! Weather.com is sayin we're gonna get some rain this weekend to wash the roads... then high 40's low 50's right on into summer!

[Disco (TX)]

Hey Black Dog,

Is that prototype triple tree similar to the no-longer-available Two Brother's Racing triple tree? 

DFG

[Wildman]

Is reducing the trail ?
If it is raking the front out, extending the wheelbase, it is increasing the trail.

[Black Dog]

Is that prototype triple tree similar to the no-longer-available Two Brother's Racing triple tree?

Dave,

Not familiar with the TB clamp.  I've heard of it, but never seen, ridden one, so I couldn't say (read below).


Is reducing the trail ?

Wildman,

Sat with Daryl, and he had his compass out, along with some graph paper, and he drew me a diagram of the geometry involved...  The short story is that it will keep the same rake as the stock tree, but will offset the forks close to an inch forward.  The relationship of the new fork position, to the steering stem, is where the magic comes from...  I'll have pictures, and a ride review posted in a few weeks, weather permitting.

Black Dog

[Disco (TX)]

The short story is that it will keep the same rake as the stock tree, but will offset the forks close to an inch forward.  The relationship of the new fork position, to the steering stem, is where the magic comes from...  I'll have pictures, and a ride review posted in a few weeks, weather permitting.

This sounds very much like what I understand the TBR TT to be.  I've never ridden one, but one of the long-time VRCC locals has one on his SuperValk and says it is the single best accessory ever produced for the Valkyrie.  Can't wait for more info!

[alph]

Black dog,

Took my bike out today!  Got all my stuff done last week, got some passenger floor boards today, have to make some special brackets to make ‘em work.  But other then that she’s all done and ready for the summer! 

People in the south don’t have a clue what it’s like.  Give them two days of snow and they’re crying like crazy!!  We’ve got to give up our bikes for months on end!!  My ride today was the sweetest I had in a long time, and it was only 20 miles!!

[Larry]

The short story is that it will keep the same rake as the stock tree, but will offset the forks close to an inch forward.  The relationship of the new fork position, to the steering stem, is where the magic comes from...  I'll have pictures, and a ride review posted in a few weeks, weather permitting.

This sounds very much like what I understand the TBR TT to be.  I've never ridden one, but one of the long-time VRCC locals has one on his SuperValk and says it is the single best accessory ever produced for the Valkyrie.  Can't wait for more info!

Yup, that's my understanding also. Question is will that be any better than just a 6D rake? What change, if any will there be in the handlebar position?

[Black Dog]

What change, if any will there be in the handlebar position?

None what so ever...  Everything about the offset tree is the same as the stock tree, except for the center of each fork tube will be 'off-set' about 1" forward.  Handle bars, fairing/windshield mounting holes will stay the same.  The headlight, and gauges will be a bit further forward, but in relation to the tree, no change.  The new triple tree is about 1" larger, if measured from the back (steering stem) to the front (center of fork tubes).

Worked a 14 hour day today, and am back in the office working an upgrade now (2 am Friday morning).  Obviously no more progress has been made, but I hope to get back in the man cave, sometime this weekend.

Black Dog