Front Forks

[TrapperAH1G]

Anyone ever "slipped" the front forks in the triple tree to lower the front?  I've done this on other bikes, thinking of doing it to my Valk, say about 3/4".

Thanks

[calcruiser]

should be no harm in trying, done in a couple minutes and see if you like the look.  curious if you went with a new shorter rear shock and, if so what length?  i was thinking 11.5" would be right.  whitewalls look odd with the 12.25" stock shocks.

[Willow]

Carefully done should work.  I believe 3/4 inch should be about the limit.  Someone more knowledgeable may want to confirm that.

[WintrSol]

It will affect handling, of course, by reducing rake and trail.

[98valk]

Anyone ever "slipped" the front forks in the triple tree to lower the front?  I've done this on other bikes, thinking of doing it to my Valk, say about 3/4".

Thanks

can't do that much. check the fork with the lower triple clamp. the fork greatly reduces in diameter, meaning thinner wall which means it can't safely handle the clamping forces. this was reported 20 yrs ago.

[TrapperAH1G]

AI says 3/4" ok, can't do 1", then AI says even up to 1" is ok!  Love confusing AI!  And yes, AI states all fork tubes vary in wall thickness "to save weight"......really, how much weight can that save?

Gonna try 3/4".  Says it will "quicken" steering in corners and feel more responsive at lower speeds but not good for high speed stability.  Have 11.5" Progressive shocks on rear, lowering front is supposed to help "attitude compatibility" of the bike.  Always knew Valks have an attitude!  LOL

Thanks to all.

[WintrSol]

A previous owner replaced the rear shocks on mine with the air shock system from a Goldwing, so I can confirm that adjusting the fore/aft tilt, IOW rake/trail, will change the steering response. Lower in back, cornering is stiff and can 'push'; higher in back, the Dragon is a lot more fun. I can change from stability on the highway while pulling a trailer, to carving canyons with the push of the button.

[98valk]

AI says 3/4" ok, can't do 1", then AI says even up to 1" is ok!  Love confusing AI!  And yes, AI states all fork tubes vary in wall thickness "to save weight"......really, how much weight can that save?

Gonna try 3/4".  Says it will "quicken" steering in corners and feel more responsive at lower speeds but not good for high speed stability.  Have 11.5" Progressive shocks on rear, lowering front is supposed to help "attitude compatibility" of the bike.  Always knew Valks have an attitude!  LOL

Thanks to all.

AI is crap 90% of the time. unstable the valkyrie has 5.98 trail number a GW1500 was about 4.3? trail number.  with lower shocks good chance the tire is hitting the fender where it clears the upper shock towers cross brace.  tire diameters also affect trail number. there are websites with calculators to determine trail number. Putting interstate triples trees on a std/tourer which I did, lowers the trail number.
with it being lowered for looks expect hitting hard parts when cornering hard at over 40mph.