steering neck angles
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 4:18 pm
As I never found any information on steering head angles, I thought I might do some measurements and post it here. These values are static angles or frame angles, not considering higher/lower shocks of forks or suspension sag. To know theses values is relevant for anyone interested in front wheel trail, e.g. if you are changing forks or tires.
I took three frames for my measurements:
I took the measurement on the XLH frame to compare with the factory drawing and to verify my measurement method.
Especially the XLR frame is a bit surprising, as with the stock (sportster) triple trees the trail would be very short. Maybe this explains why the XLR also used the raked triple trees? Does anyone know what the angle in these raked triple trees is? Another question about the XLR frame came into my mind: Did post 56 KRs also use the "sportster" top motor mount or would there be two different frames available?
I took three frames for my measurements:
- a 59 XLH frame
- a 52 K-model frame
- a XLR frame (year unknown)
I took the measurement on the XLH frame to compare with the factory drawing and to verify my measurement method.
- the 59 frame has the factory drawing 30°
- the 52 K-model frame has 28° head angle -- I did not expect 2° less rake!
- the XLR frame has 25° neck angle -- also much less than expected
Especially the XLR frame is a bit surprising, as with the stock (sportster) triple trees the trail would be very short. Maybe this explains why the XLR also used the raked triple trees? Does anyone know what the angle in these raked triple trees is? Another question about the XLR frame came into my mind: Did post 56 KRs also use the "sportster" top motor mount or would there be two different frames available?