i am planning on getting a chopper kit next fall,but i know a guy who has a 70 something sportster that he stretched and raked.i was talking to his father so i haven't talked to him personally yet.so i was thinking that if he has the abillity to do my frame i would ask him what he would charge.i was wondering if any of you guys might be able to tell me what to expect price wise.i'm aware that he will have to take my whole bike apart,but is it poss it would be better or perhaps more affordable to have it done the old fassioned way.thanks alot.
jay.

Sportster frames are notoriously hard to rake out. Damn few know how to do it right, hence the coming of the raked triple tree.

do you know what makes them so hard to stretch and rake out?if thats the case,thats fine.i don't mind doing the kit,i just want to check all my options.

Where the frame and neck meet, there isn't a helluva lotta room to play with. The slightest mistake and you have scrap at 17 cents a lb. Theer's a few that can do it but it's not cheap.

thanks will.

Will stated one of the biggest drawbacks in chopping Sporty frame...but I gotta ask, is this the new bike in your avatar you're thinkin of choppin ? I dunno man, if it were me ,I think I'd find the aftermarket frame that suits me best, and go from there...that way you still got the stock frame...or as Will also said another good option is raked triple trees as a first step, gives you a decent taste of what a chopped bike is about, there again easily switched back to stock.....I personally would'nt chop a new bike, but I would have no problems with reversable changes, and I would chop an older bike I got for little money, and maybe the 74xlh i have now.......Mike

Go to a local shop that builds choppers and ask them if they can do it. They will know what it takes, if it is possible and how much it will cost. I am sure you can find other options. I have seen softail sportster frames for $3500 and a hardtail is cheaper. It all depends on how much you want it. Anything is possible with the appropriate budget. You ask on a lot of topics and I think you better figure out what you want because you will have a 25K bike that is only worth 12K like mine if you don't plan your build carefully.

Aftermarket rigid frame start in the $900 range up to several thousand.
Swingarm frames start in the $1200 range up to several thousand.

Here is a sportster chopper frame for $1900
https://www.kustomcycles.com/parts/index.php?id=9&cat=

Call and talk to Vince {owner} of
http://www.redneckengineering.com they have
stretched and raked sportster frames before. Cost ya about
$750 dollars plus the raked trees $300-$600. This came from
Vince back last may at Myrtle Beach spring rally.

They cut under tank and foot controls and stretch frame 4" inches.
This is a bad ass mod and it tracts as good as the factory.
If you are at Daytona bike week they will be at the speedway,
check them out if you get a chance. :yikes

Gyou better figure out what you want because you will have a 25K bike that is only worth 12K like mine if you don't plan your build carefully.
The voice of experience speaks loudly!

There are a lot of things I would do dif. if I had thought about it before I started. You are already getting paint done. Plan, do, check, act. Plan is the most important. Invision your bike and then build to that vision. Mine finally meets my critical eyes needs and I still would have done a lot dif. 89 cube motor, Dif frame etc. So much I would have done dif.

Here is a photo of my buddys sportster with the raked and
stretched front end. Notice the bigger gap between the trees
and the tank area. All this was done by Redneck engineering.
Bike also has a 180 kit on the back of it


http://xlforum.net/photopost/uploads/224/gold_rush_sporty.jpg

i hear ya ralph.i am trying to figure which way i want to go,thats why i've been asking all sorts of ?'s.lol i don't mind having 20k in the bike if its what i want.look at the bulldog and such type customs that were 25 30 k new.put a couple thousand miles on them and they drop to17 - 20k in a year or two.i will def be doing a chopper of some kind.wether its a raked framed or a kit.i think i'd rather do the kit at this time,just b/c it is reversable and that is a sweet option. my whole thing so far is to set this up for a chopper look,hence the 10" rear shocks and the front staying stock.i do appreciate your guidence in that i make sure i don't do things more than once,but i know i will on some things but thats ok as long as its not a huge do-over.i do have a vision and its beginning to come together.thanks again.
jay.

Here is a photo of my buddys sportster with the raked and
stretched front end. Notice the bigger gap between the trees
and the tank area. All this was done by Redneck engineering.
Bike also has a 180 kit on the back of it


http://xlforum.net/photopost/uploads/224/gold_rush_sporty.jpgsweet ride.i'm still trying to decide on a wide tire kit.but that won't be for awhile.so i have time.

You may want to look for adjustable trees. I have seen them in the past from five to 15 degrees(pat kennedy I think). That is a lot of room to customize the look in the front. It allows enough rake to add longer tubes if you desire and can be scaled back for a lesser rake. I kind of wish I had that adjustability. I am considering getting some raked headset bearing cups to kick my front end out 3 more degrees. I am just waiting for a good deal. $150 for bearing cups is insane. I am at 5 or 7 now and would like just a wee bit more. I will get it, it is just a question of time. You won't want to change back after the mod is done because the front looks way cooler with the raked trees. I have had mine since 96-97 and think they still look cool.

What Ralph says has a whole lot of truth to it. Plan it out first. I personally have spent well over a year now planning and preparing what I am just now getting around to do.

As far as frames go, the prices quoted are about standard. I've seen some good prices on Sportster frames in the V-Twin catalog.

If you plan to do the work locally be sure to have the work done by a professional. I plan to do some frame mods and I'll have a local guy who goes by "Dr. John" do my work. He has been doing this most of his life. He quoted me $500.00 to rake my neck and he uses a gig he has made just for Sportsters. He's not the cheapest around but he is the best in my area and believe me, I spent a couple of months looking first.

Dr. John's Motorcycle Frame Straightening (http://www.drjohnsmfs.com/)

Hey Rotten. what the heck are ya doin in Tenn? Maybe we can meet at the dragon sometime!

I am at the other end but I will be heading down to atl. sooner or later. MAybe shoot down to Biketoberfest. Just a 5 hour ride from you at 100. Still trying to get a transfer to dorraville assembly but not likely till G.M. builds a van someone might want.

sweet ride.i'm still trying to decide on a wide tire kit.but that won't be for awhile.so i have time.
The bike has been in a few magazines,and won numerous shows.
I now own the front wheel off that bike,and have had it on my
sporty for about 2 yrs. Show winner also.
You should see his 04 sportster it would blow you away. Sorry i dont have pics of that one.Alot of sporty freaks were i live. Nobody builds them but a few of us around town do. :yikes

hey Xllent01, do you have any other pics of your friends bike? and maybe some specs? thanks

Just one thought about stretched and raked frames crossed my mind... :rolleyes:
Are you shure your bike will handling well after changing the rake?
Is the mechanic doing it using some sort of software/calculations to do it right?

Just my personal opinion .... :shhhh