Ironhead I wanna go lower

[bigtsdad]

I'm not really sure the best way to go about taking the bike down some. It seems like the rear is simple... shorter shocks. How short can I go? I'd like to get rid of as much of the gap between the fender and the rear tire as I safely can. If I understand what I've read here, dropping the rear will increase the trail. With the rear going down I believe that raked triple trees will both drop the front and shorten up the trail. Is that a correct assumption? I have read that it's some peoples opinions that the only correct way to rake the bike is to cut the frame but that isn't something I'm willing to do. Also, I'm not planning on extending the forks.

Ultimately what I'm looking for is low with a minimum of stretch. I'm guessing that even with the research I've done there are are options I'm not aware of so I was hoping to learn a few tricks if there are any.

Ok, let the enlightenment begin!

[ezmerf]

Go to bottom of pg and google bolt on rake are anything else and it'll give U alot of threads with the info UR lookin 4

[ihone]

Please excuse my ignorance, but wouldn't installing a set of raked trees increase the trail?

[brassy63]

Originally Posted by ihone

Please excuse my ignorance, but wouldn't installing a set of raked trees increase the trail?

YES indeed it would increase trail

[chadpm]

The shocks on my 1985 measure about 10 3/4 eye to eye. I think they look great but a) they ride like crap, damn close to hard tail with almost no travel and b) my fender hits my swingarm seriously cracking the fender in a buch of places. I think I am going to go up to 12.5's.

[tsbw]

i can rake your frame for you i do it all the time at my shop along with hardtails conversions

[undeadfred1]

check out the burly brand slammer kit. looks pretty cool

[Ivan RoachCoach]

...as concerns about messing with the rake/trail mix, you're making a big deal out of nothing.

The change in height you're going to achieve isn't anywhere near being radical enough to even merit discussion of raked trees, frame stretching, or neck raking.
Your main concerns should be rideability and oil tank clearance with the chain.

If you want to REALLY eat up some of that gap between the rear fender and tire, mount the fender to your swingarm and cut it down some so that you achieve a nicer radius with the tire.
But now we're talking a bit of custom work, which is something that not a lot of guys on this board are willing to do.

[Skylar]

Ivan knows the deal. My '72 sits low already and when I'm bombing down some bumpy Michigan pavement I already bottom out here and there. Smaller shocks aren't a good idea for daily drivers in my opinion. I'd bob and cut the fender.

[Ivan RoachCoach]

...shorter, but MUCH stiffer, than the cheap flimsy shit you usually find for Sportsters.

I have a pair of FLH 12-inchers on my '74, with full chrome covers, and they NEVER bottom out, even when I'm hopping curbs to take shortcuts on the sidewalk during rush hour traffic.


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