Rubbermount_EVO Hello! Raked Triple Tree Advice badly Needed

[heater27]

Hello All Sportster Riders! Just joined and I'm happy I did! I'm kind of an old novice rider, so please bear with me. I have a 2005 xl custom 1200. I extended the tubes 6" over and changed the handlebars to the bullhorn pullback style. So far I love it. However, the center of gravity seems too high since the motor and frame do not ride level to the ground. My novice solution? Rake the front end! And that's what I want to do. The 5* cup set I ordered from VTwin could not be installed according to my Harley mechanic. Most raked triple trees I can find only accept 41mm tubes (mine has 39mm, of course). The Accutronics triple trees that have a 5* rake and will take 39mm tubes are mucho expensive, and I've read on here that their chrome plate is not so hot. I've discovered a company called Chrome Horse that sells beauty triple trees in 6* rakes for about $150 (close to my budget) but can't find one that will accept 39mm tubes. Question: Is it possible to use a triple tree for 41mm tubes with my 39mm tubes? Question: Does anyone know of a place that sells trees for my bike at a reasonable cost? Question: As a Sportster expert (compared to me), what would you do with my limited budget? Please help me if you are able to,...

Thank you, in advance.

PS. I have pics of my bike, but I haven't figured out how to post them yet.

[JDRAKE4200]

If I were you, Id get some raked cups for the trees you have. That will fit your budget and tubes. Do a search, you will find several threads where this has been covered.

[Baphomet]

Just to help you with your thinking process, what you need to consider is the "trail". The diagram below shows where the trail is. You can google up a rake and trail calculator to give you an idea of how much rake you need given your extended fork length. You could probably get close enough guessing it out, but I'd calculate it first to get in the ballpark of what you need.


Oh, I should add that my bike has 6" over tubes and my bike is raked an additional 14 degree from stock.

[Tin Man 2]

Bearing cups will increase your trail and give more stability, Raked trees will subtract trail, Many guys go with raked trees but keep to a max of about 4 degrees. You can lower your extended forks a bit just by sliding them up in your existing trees to get your bike back down a bit for free.

[Bob F]

Welcome to the XLForum.

[worn]

There's a difference after '03, Vulcan Engineering has 3 degree raked bearing cups to fit your bike, but I don't know of any 5 degree cups for '04 and later. You could combine 3 degree raked cup and 3 degree raked trees but that's getting pretty expensive.
If it was me, I would just rake the frame or have it raked.

[heater27]

Thank you for the advice - sounds like cups are better than trees - anyone know where to get a 5* raked bearing cups?