OK i want to add a wide glide on my 78 hardtail. I understand the neck cups will need to be changed. I have a few other questions.

I was thinking about getting some with a rake built in not sure how much.

What length tubes ? I want the bike to set level with a 21 inch front wheel.

Since I am switching the neck cups what year trees would fit?

Is it posssible to use the same tubes I have on it now with the narrow frontend and would the stock length be ok with some rake like 3 to 5 degrees?

Thanks in advance for any help.

T-Ron

 

cant help you with the length, but yes they do make trees to use your tubes to make a wide front end, as far as rake goes the raked trees are TOTALY unsafe it throws the handling out the window, the rake and trail have to work together to make a safe ride, if you rake the trees it throws the trail way off making a bike that is no fun ( and not safe) to ride! r and b racing has a real good rake and trail calculator on their sight that you put in all your info as far as tube lenght, wheel size etc. go do some reading before you waste money on raked trees!

 

24" from bottom tree to axle on mine, I reamed the neck to 1"
Used a FXWG front end with custom trees on mine.(early 80s)
Totally agree with Shep on the handling with raked cups..dont!

 

Oh..just remembered my Santee frames raked 33 degrees She handles great..real stable feeling. Hope this helps! Sure like the way Your scoot looks as is tho..

 

OK the rake might be out as far as the trees, I was concerned about the handeling. I like the look of the wider front end... still thinking. What about a profesional rake job on the frame?

 

Well the Santee frame I bought supposedly is 33 degrees..and She handles great,going down the freeway. In town just a tad lazy steering,with the 21" wheel and small tire.
But..the next rigid I build is going to have a springer 2" under.

 

the frames that are raked do keep the correct trail, no problem at all, when you just add raked trees is when you have problems, i thought about raking my frame, i just could not bring myself to cut a good frame! how about getting a aftermarket frame, then when you get tired of it you can switch back to the original frame, after all every time some one cuts one thats one less original left!

 

Something I forgot to mention, my wide glide front end was stiff as hell first installed.
Had to play around with the amount of oil to smooth it out some.guess they are meant for heavy bikes. Should have just bought the trees..used the stock tubes.

 

you could try the lighter fork oil, my local shop sells a light and a heavy fork oil, both are from harley maybe look into a lighter spring?

 

Hey 70 you said you reamed the neck on your bike. I have access to the tools to ream.. So you used the stock cups and made them work the stem is the only differance from sporty and big twin ? Thanks for the help guys

T-Ron