Rake and Trail Basics : Pro Tip

If you are purchasing a new motorcycle or simply modifying the one you have its important to know how the changes you make will effect the handling of your machine. We talk the basics of rake and trail and how those affect your ride.

#ProTip #JPCycles #Handleing

[robertfuerstenau]

Thank you. I've viewed probably 10 videos and you were the first to explain thinks that made it easy to understand and still cover the subject very well.

[erniemathews]

That was as articulate and concise an explanation as I've heard, and just what I needed. Great work.If this were English class you'd get an A, probably with a +.

[harriszahid]

Great video, I like how you explain what raising or lowering the forks in the triple clamps does to trail angle. Much love from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[skylark]

Many variables. Thanks for the fantastic, quick and to the point explanation!

[samsehon]

This is a great informational video for a beginner builder like myself.
Thanks

[wesleydavis]

Very good, great graphics, and very good commentary.

[ARTISTVAIBHAVYADAV]

Thank you so much for telling us about that, you are an ocean of chopper building knowledge

[ecrusch]

Always good information.
Thanks J&P.

[Rokonroller]

Learned something new today
Thanks bud

[ln]

This was a perfect explanation. I bought an Indian FTR Rally with hybrid tires. I was told never to put the S wheels on it as the rake was different on the S variant. Now I understand perfectly why that would be a problem. Looks like I'm buying another bike. Oh well. Lol

[prototype-mk]

looks like a cool indian larry frame style very nice man

[BigFiveJack]

Thank you for imparting this information to us!

[SLmetalmania]

Great explanations❤could you plz tell me what type of tubes that you have used for this frame construction

[jose]

You guys awesome thanks for the explanation

[badombre]

Im doing a hard tail bobber build and only fabricating the tail. Im weighing the pros and cons of leaving the forks stock length but tipping the bike to reduce the ground clearance and lower the center of gravity while increasing fork rake. Obvious negatives are engine will be tipped back slightly. Throwing off the float bowl level wich could be adjusted for. Throwing off oil level wich could be adjusted accordingly depending on if the oil pickup is located front or rear. And esthetically the portion of frame under the engine will not be parallel to the ground. Other option is to lower the forks to maintain original rake while lowering the frame. Do you have an opinion on the risks involved in the first option?

[moseschen]

You mentioned a more in depth video. Where can I find that video? I bought my motorcycle used and it seems the rake is greater than stock. I'd like to restore it to stock by adjusting and sliding the front tubes. I'm wondering what is the best and safest way to do that properly. Thanks

[GunNut]

Thanks for the awesome video and explanation. I have a question:
My 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere has 28° rake, 4.96" trail, and 60.6" wheelbase.
I rode a 2014 HD Dyna Fat Bob with 29° rake, 4.92" trail, and 63.8" wheelbase.
That seems very similar to me, but I had to wrestle the cruiser into every turn. I'd press and lean and it felt like it wanted to stand back up in the middle of curves. In all fairness, I've only ridden dirt bikes, ADV bikes, and standards. This is the very first cruiser I've ever ridden...ever. My cruiser friends tell me that's just how they feel and that if they got on mine they'd feel odd at how it has no stability. I get that, but I wish I understood why such similar geometry produces such wildly different results. I'm guessing the center of gravity (low heavy cruiser vs tall lighter adv?) and the fat tires were the real difference maker. Is that it?

[dougiequick]

I dont understand why a manufacturer of motorcyles trying to get as many models from a single base platform could not incorporate say a rectangular steering head on the frame (the long dimension of the rectangle in line with the wheels) and then simply have multiple machineed inserts with normal profile round protrusions that exactly accept whichever stem/triple tree one chooses (and basically ANY fork/triple tree COULD be adapted with the right machineed inserts)....Picture also each varient's insert machineed to produce a different rake for a specific purpose making the frame very tunable! You could put different length swing arms differnt sizes of wheels and types /lengths of forks with the most desirable rake and trail for the models purpose! With the identical frame and engine and electrics you could derive a track focused sportbike, a generic naked bike, a sport touring bike and even an adventure bike...And THAT could spell low enough production costs to actually make some very desirable models available at nice pricepoints without tas much compromize that is typically seen...The only downside I can see other than minor expense of multiple parts would be some extra ounces of weight which I think in the grand scheme would be pretty negligble and on a an expensive Limited Edition type thing the inserts could be titanium or whatever idk

[brittanyjackson]

I have an 03 Heritage Softail and I want to move the rear tire back a bit....any advice?

[MickH]

By sliding the forks lower in the trees, not only are you reducing trail but you also reduce rake...