Page 27 of Show Quality Performance Parts Catalog by Hawg Halters, Inc.

RAKE AND TRAIL Rake Rake is defined as the angle in degrees of the steering axis as measured from a vertical line either through the center of the front wheel axle or at a point in the neck stem. Trail Trail is the measurement of the distance between the steering neck axis and the front axle centerline as projected onto the floor. Rake Trail Rake and trail work together controlling how the motorcycle handles at various speeds. Increasing rake will improve stability when riding in a straight line but will sacrifice low speed maneuverability as the front end will feel heavy and have a tendency to flop. Conversely, decreased rakes will provide a light front end feel and quick response but lack in high speed stability. Typically as you increase or decrease rake angle the trail measurement does the same. To measure the trail of your bike you can use the following method: The bike needs to be in an upright stationary position at ride height. Adjusting rear shocks to raise or lower the bike will affect the trail. Drop a plumb bob or use a square to locate the front axle position relative to the floor and mark this point. Next, using some type of a straight edge, place it parallel to the steering neck centerline following the angle of the steering head down to the floor and place a mark here. Now measure the distance between the two marks and that is your trail figure. The acceptable range is typically between 3 and 6 inches but can vary depending on application. What influence does Trail have? With too little and in extreme cases negative trail, (steering axle mark behind the front axle), the bike will handle with unbelievable ease at low speeds but be completely out of balance at higher speeds. In extreme cases an uncontrollable high-speed wobble could develop. If the trail is greater than 6 inches the bike will feel very stable at high speeds but in reality it will not be responsive enough, almost like it is too steady. You will also have trouble maneuvering your bike at low speeds and the front end will feel heavy and have a tendency to flop. A trail measurement around 4-5 inches will provide easy handling at both high and low speeds. Slow speed turns will be relatively easy and the bike will be stable at highway speeds. Fork Stop Kits -(EFS)External Fork Stop (HFS)Hidden Fork Stop EFS-001 EFS Available for: (001)Stock frame FXR/Dyna /Sportster (002)Stock frame Softail 1989 Up HFS Available for: (001)1988 Earlier Big Twin and Custom (004)Custom frame with internal stop tab (005)Stock or Custom Frame without stop tab 27 EFS-002 EFS-001 HFS-005 HFS-001

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