Doc has given me some very good info on this idea, but I'm wondering what others experiences are. I ran my numbers through a Rake/Trail calculator and right now I'm in the red with 5.41in meaning my bike is unstable at low speeds but stable at high speeds. I'm going to be putting a springer on in a few months and I'm looking at raking the neck 6deg and converting to a single down tube before it goes on. Trail means nothing on a springer, it's about setting the proper adjustment on the rockers, so I can do pretty much what I want. I'm hopping to install the springer in 2-3 months, but I'm wondering if I should go ahead right now and rake my neck and convert to single down tube while it's still chilly in the mornings. My bike would be down for about a week or so.

When I ran the numbers with the neck raked it said I would have 7.43in of trail which is still unstable at low speeds and stable at high speeds. It also says that raked trees, such as 6deg trees, will make the bike very stable at low speeds but unstable at high speeds. I have heard of this, it's called the "death wobble."

So what do you guys think, and know about this matter? Should I make the conversion now and ride it that way for a couple months until the new front end goes on? The truth is I want to but I don't want longer legs or anything like that. I don't want to spend any more money than I have to. And I need the rake in the neck before I can finish mock up of my springer.

Just is case you were curious it's a Dragon Springer from American Suspension and if you have the new V-Twin mag (may 2008) it's on the cover of the gold chopper.

This is what mine looks like:

I can't wait to see what it looks like when you are done. That front end rocks!

Your right, rake doesn't matter to a springer as long as it is setup right. I don't know how much you plan to rake the neck, but mines 8 degrees over stock. I did it so long ago I don't remember what the trail numbers were now.

But it handles like a dream once I get over about 15 or 20 miles per hour. Below that I have to put some arm work into it. Its a great ride on the freeways.

Biggest problem you will have with out longer tubes is a good chance of being pointed downhill (my tubes are stock). My neck is lowered in the frame just about 3/4" to help get it leveled out. And, the rear is flipped.

Gram

My front tire is 21in so it sits a little high, and the rear is lowered about 3in so I don't think it would hurt too bad, and I doubt I would point "downhill." Your bike is 8deg in the neck?

yes. 8 degrees in the neck.

With the stock front end? So this means that I can rake it without fear of ruining it for the few months it takes to get my springer on. I'll call my guy tomorrow and see about dropping off the bike in a week or so. Hack I might just go 8deg instead of only 6! Do you have any other pics of your bike I can see. I'm curious to see how dramatic the change is, and what the neck looks like.

Why did you chose to go 8deg?

pics are here:

Gallery

This whole bike was done by mocking things up to see what it looked like. At 40 degrees of rake it just had the right look. Wish I had a better reason. The theme was a minimalist approach, all body work was designed with chalk lines on the original parts.

Gram

Man that bike is sweet! I'll be dropping mine off soon now...

Only difference is I'm converting to a single down tube unless I can get a GREAT reason why I shouldn't. How did you stretch the tank? Same way as Doc?

no, its a custom fabrication. If you look at the pics again you will see that the back end of the stretch tapers down, then curves (underside) to match the lines we were looking for.

The stretch is metal and was made for the tank/frame/seat combination.

That's how I'm going to do mine too. I love the Looney seat. Which one is it, and is it comfortable?

Its an original Looney, While George Lynn was still making them. And its just about as uncomfortable as they come. I loose sensation in my feet after about two to three hours.

Ray (the new owner of Looney seats) uses thicker pans and I don't hear the same complaints from owners of his seats.

I hosted a meet and greet for Ray a couple of years ago, and he brought one of his new seats with him for me to try, but it didn't flow as well with the lines of the bike. If I had his seat to begin with it would have. If your thinking about a Looney seat, I would really suggest you get your hands on one and try it out before you stretch your tank. Just make sure you like it.

Gram