Raked Triple Tree Info Needed

[stevecushman]

Does anyone know if I can put a 6 degree raked triple tree on a stocked front end of an Interstate?  My goal is to lower and 'stretch out' the front end.  If anyone has experience with this I would love to talk to you. 

Thanks
Steve

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Yes you can.  Daryl is the guy to call.  I have his 6 degree rake kit on my '03 Standard.  Best mod I ever did.  Tell him John sent you.
http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/tripletree.html
 
You can also check out this thread I started after I installed mine.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13178.0.html

And this one discussing it also.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,28308.0.html

[blackvalk]

Steve,

It sounds as if you can put the 6 degree rake on your bike.

As far as handling, Steeler is absolutely right, it's incredible.

I lowered my bike by about 2" by the 6 degree rake AND by adding shorter shocks that I also bought from Daryl. The rake helped the handling and added a much lighter feeling up front and the shocks  (Works) made the ride unbelievably softer. Much less harsh.

If you want to talk, email me at bill@kitchenvillage.com and give me your #.

I can't say enough about the improvements.

[stevecushman]

Steelers...thanks SO much!  Your bike is awesome.  I'm going to contact Daryl.  I am also interested in your shocks...its JUST what I want AND I have played with the idea of putting 6 pipes on my bike.  Where did you have the shocks and pipes done? 

Blackvalk, I am trying to get the front end to handle better....its SO heavy so I'm going to get started on this right away. 

Thanks!
Steve

[BonS]

. . . its SO heavy so I'm going to get started on this right away. 

What air pressure are you running? If it's not around 38 psi + then you should probably try it and reevaluate how things feel.

[stevecushman]

I keep the front between 33 and 35.... and the rear at 33.  I'm going to try 38 in the front tonight!  What do you keep your back tire at??  Thanks!

[BonS]

40 or 42 depending one or two up.

[stevecushman]

40 or 42....thanks!  headed to air tank now!!!!

[John Schmidt]

I keep the front between 33 and 35.... and the rear at 33.  I'm going to try 38 in the front tonight!  What do you keep your back tire at??  Thanks!

I agree with BonS, that's waaaay too low. When I had a m/c tire in back, I ran 40/42, front/rear. With a c/t in back, I still run 40 in front, usually around 36 in the car tire. With a low psi like you're running both front and rear, you're subject to early cupping...among other things.

[stevecushman]

I've been riding an 883 Harley Sporster for 10 plus years...this big Interstate is taking some getting used to.....I did as you suggested with the psi and could tell the difference for the better!  Thanks!

[BonS]

Great news, maybe after some getting used to the fat ladies heft it will begin to feel normal again. Good luck with your new ride.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

The shocks are Progressive 430s in 11.5 inch length.  The exhaust are Cobras that I cut down 12 inches.  Deeper sound than stock Cobras.  Daryls the best.  Let me know if you have any more questions.

[thewoodman]

Changing the triple trees is on my list a year down the road, but the first thing I did, after making sure the tire pressures were correct, was to install shorter rear shocks. That alone changed the geometry [rake-trail] enough to lighten the front end feel noticeably. Depending upon other ergonomic issues, adding higher risers and changing the handle bars can make major improvements to the front end feel, especially in low speed handling.

[Ricky-D]

Changing the triple trees is on my list a year down the road, but the first thing I did, after making sure the tire pressures were correct, was to install shorter rear shocks. That alone changed the geometry [rake-trail] enough to lighten the front end feel noticeably. Depending upon other ergonomic issues, adding higher risers and changing the handle bars can make major improvements to the front end feel, especially in low speed handling.

I was riding my friends Harley Deuce yesterday and was really surprised at how heavy and cumbersome the bike felt at low speed maneuvering.

It reinforced the fact as to how easily the Valkyrie handles under all circumstances.

I think that if you replace the triple trees with 6 degree rake triple trees you will progress to the kind of handling that I experienced with the Deuce.

The most noticeable thing was how the front wanted to fall off to one side or the other and the heavy weight feeling in the handlebars.

***

[blackvalk]

Ricky-D

Just the opposite happens. The weight in the handle bars lightens up and I have never felt like the bike pulls in any direction.

It's actually pretty amazing as to the light feel the 6 degree adds to the bike.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Ditto,
Take the advice from people who have actually done the change, not skeptics.

[Ricky-D]

I always rely on the advice of those people that have made a change to the stock configuration of their bike for guidance on whether or not to mimic what they have done. They certainly have no dog in the fight. Do they?

I have no dog in the fight. But, I'll tell you this truth.

The more you stretch out the front end, from what you already have,,,, the more fall off from what you already have will occur. Read that as not less but more!

As to all the other superb handling improvements due to this modification or that modification I leave it to the individual that is contemplating the modification to decide for them self.  I would say to that individual to remember the old adage, "misery love company" when listening to others about making a major change to your Valkyrie. 

***

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I would say to that individual to remember the old adage, "misery love company" when listening to others about making a major change to your Valkyrie. 
***
[/quote]

Comical.  Where do you come up with your material.  You said the same things about the custom wheels that others have purchased that you say cant be had. 
Yea, all of us that have made the rake change are so unhappy with it that we are trying to suck others in to make us feel better.  Maybe its the other old adage, "Dont knock it till you tried it". 

[mirion]

I have one of each, a stock Interstate and a raked 97 with 11.5 Progressives, night and day difference in the handling, the raked one being the better one in handling. Especially noticeable at low speed parking lot type handling where the Valk is notorious for poor handling. With my 30 inch inseam I can whip the 97 around shopping carts at the supermarket like it was a dirt bike.  The Interstate is much more comfortable for the long rides due primarily to the longer travel shocks on the back.

[Jeff K]

I have the 4 degree rake Triple tree. The difference in handling is astounding. It feels so much lighter, and the low speed handling is dramatically improved. Even when pulling a trailer I can do a u turn in a much tighter circle.   

[tmfp]

My two pennies' worth.
I have a standard 96/97 which I love, but think the steering could be better for my conditions, twisty minor roads with little freeway riding. Riding 50-70 mph bends hard, I find it imprecise and at lower speeds it wants to fall over.
The stock trail is 5.98", long by any standards, and by putting raked trees on you decrease that, which is why they handle better at lower speeds.
I rode another Valk with shorter rear shocks and found that the steering flopped more at low speeds. Shorter rear shocks slightly increase the trail as well as changing the weight distribution.

[John Schmidt]

Now this is strange to me, because I don't find the Valk all that difficult to handle in stock form. I've ridden a Valk with the rake kit and decided I'm more comfy with my stock configuration. To me, the Valk I rode with the 6 deg. kit felt a bit too light, but to each his own. Everyone I've talked to with that mod really likes it and I've seen the kit...it's a masterpiece of engineering and quality and my hat's off to Daryl. I'm not a big person, 5'10" with a 30" inseam. I've had the Ulitmate King seat for as long as they've been out...five years or more, don't really remember, but it works for me. I have raised the bars and changed to larger diameter bars as well, close to OEM in specs. Plus, I went to shorter shocks in back, all the changes...done one at a time, have the bike right where I want it. It's easy to handle(for me anyway), stable at all speeds, and comfortable for the long haul.

Maybe it was the two summers I spent as a teenager working on a hay baling crew. Stacking those bales five high all summer will tend to build up the shoulders and grip. Anyway, I like the way the Lady handles, but that's just me.