To rake? Or not to rake? That is my question! :)

[archerdude]

Hello everyone, my name is Jeff from Nokomis FL. (Sw FL).  I'm new here and I'm ready to go to work on a new project.  F6 Valkyrie's are just way too cool in my book! I'm thinking of doing a bobber. Clean, low, and kinda old school. I'm getting some plans together on my whiteboard in the garage and I'm on the fence with raking the front a bit. Does anyone have some before/after pics from raking their Valkyrie?   Sure could use the help. Thank you!

[John Schmidt]

Jeff, just read your post on the main Tech Board so am extending a hearty welcome from the Fla. bunch. You have some interesting plans in mind, very worthy ideas but you might want to reconsider the rake. Personal opinion only...I didn't care for it and went back to OEM. We have an active Fl. bunch and usually have some sort of ride each week, especially now when it's not so hot. As I recall, Nokomis is down near Venice. We do have a few in the SW and they'll make themselves known with time. We also have a larger group in the Tampa/St. Pete area and some of us in Central Fla. and east coast. Not unusual to have 30 plus folk show up for a lunch meet, and here's the kicker.....we don't care what you ride.

See ya down the road.

John

[Pappy!]

Rake?
I have a large Sycamore tree in the front yard that has begun its yearly vendetta of dropping football sized leaves that cover my yard every two days.
I prefer to leaf herd.
I have a badass back-pack leaf blower that I use to herd those suckers into piles and then across the street.
Now what was this about a motorcycle?
Welcome to the Florida bunch and good luck with your project! Come join us when you can.

[_Sheffjs_]

Jack, did you not rake once and like John went back to stock?

[_Sheffjs_]

Oh and welcome. My long lost brother in law has a Valk and hides somewhere off of Laurel road. You know we should do a southern ride soon folks!!  I could bone up on some mineing roads we used to terrorize near Mulberry and end up at Paul's diner in Wauchula. Maybe we could get the Sixlow to stay over and join and convince the soggy bottom citrus boys to the flat lands.  Maybe find our newbie.   

[Flrider]

Hey Jeff, Welcome to this crazy bunch  


Sheffjs got it right, I did run a rake for some time and I did go back to OEM.

I did like the look and the feel, I also liked that the fairing tilted back a couple of degrees ( I have the Interstate model)
The reason I went back to OEM is because I developed a wooble when running over 90 and I kinda don't like the feel of it at that speed. Don't usually ride that fast but once in awhile I like to twist the throttle.
The rake kit only magnified the wooble and therefore decided to go back to OEM, still have the wooble but not too bad and only at times. I tried looking at the forks, tires, shocks and could not figure what was causing it so I just put the rake kit away until I figure something out.

I say only one way to find out if it is for you or not.
Go for it and post your back about your experience  



Hey Jerry, a run down south would be great, maybe we can get Naples Jeff, Tall Rider, Robert, TJ and your long lost brother in law to join us.
Another good eating place is Giovannis Main Street Kitchen

[John Schmidt]

Jack, re. the rake....I never had a wobble at well into triple digits. I just didn't like the feel or general handling, hard to explain. Others have gone with it and love it. To each their own. 

I also loved the look but that's where it ended, have a few pics stashed somewhere if anyone is interested.

[Flrider]

Jack, re. the rake....I never had a wobble at well into triple digits. I just didn't like the feel or general handling, hard to explain. Others have gone with it and love it. To each their own. 

I also loved the look but that's where it ended, have a few pics stashed somewhere if anyone is interested.

In my opinion, the handling I liked because it seemed like I had power steering  , it just felt easier at close turns.

Like you said, some like and some don't hence my 2 cents "only one way to find out"

[Bronxboy]

Hey Jeff, welcome aboard  I always liked the Bobber look as well, good luck on the project.

[_Sheffjs_]

[_Sheffjs_]

I guess my question Jack or John what Degree did you install?  And aren't these kits pricey?

[John Schmidt]

I guess my question Jack or John what Degree did you install?  And aren't these kits pricey?

I went with the 6 deg. kit, if memory serves I believe the OEM rake is around 4 degrees. And yes, it was a bit pricey but my original discussion with Darryl (co. owner/designer) was if I didn't like it he'd refund my money. I put a few hundred miles on it, handled fine for me, no wobble at any speed, etc., but something about it didn't set right with me. Maybe it's due to so many miles over the years with so many different types of rides. I removed it and reinstalled the OEM trees and am satisfied I at least gave it a decent trial, and the OEM setup isn't difficult to handle....at least not for me. Just personal taste, nothing more. He also makes an 8 deg. kit which is definitely more for the trike user, would be too radical for a stocker without steering head mods to the frame but works wonders on a trike conversion. We have one user in our group(Paul), rides a blue/grey I/S trike, looks great on his unit.

[archerdude]

Thank you for the imput! Im still on the fence with a 6 degree rake. I think the toughest part of doing this bike up will be fabbing up the rear section. I would like a single, low profile bobber style seat but with a removable rear seat, something small. Im thinking of welding a cut down rear fender to the swingarm so it hugss the rear tire without ever bottoming out, It would have to be structurally strong to support an occasional (if ever) passenger. I dont plan on any long distance trips so I will be just cruising around locally. I have a trailer so maybe when its done I can get back to Tennessee and ride the dragon again. Its been years since Ive been there!

[Bighead]

Put her on a trailer and she will get mad at you :coolsmiley:might even lay down and outright die

[JPFarmy]

Hey Jeff, I'm John, the long lost brother in law. Haven't been riding much this last year. Remodeling house over here on Ravenna St. N. Let me know if I can be of any help.

[archerdude]

Hey John, Thanks for the offer. I just bought my new (2000) Valk today! Pickin' her up tomorrow and taking her apart soon after. Can't wait to get dirty. Im gonna hold off on the rake till I get everything else done and see if I still want to do it. Clean, low, no frills, tiny blinkers, low riding seat, wide bars, you feeling me? LOL. Any suggestions on a low, bobber style seat that is easy to up?