| Author | Message | ||
     Oldnotbold |
Well here I go again. I started the 07 fork spring retrofit thread and got a lot of great information, but... I have not ridden an 08 Uly, but I did go to the IMS in Fort Worth yesterday. I tried on the 08 Uly and what a difference with the steering lock (at least it felt like it to me). If anyone has done the retrofit, was it worth the cost? Dennis | ||
| Treadmarks |
I have a set of trees on the way. I will let you know when I do the install. | ||
| Gotj |
Treadmarks, Trees only? No forks? I'm looking forward to your ride report on the handling in the twisties. | ||
| Soloyosh |
I'd order the legs two... Trust me... | ||
| Treadmarks |
I'd order the legs two... Trust me... Ooooh man...I hate when that happens. I have already ordered just the trees. Clue me in man | ||
| Teeps |
The location of the axle, on '08 forks, is located rearward a requisite amount in order to maintain the trail numbers. | ||
| Mainstreamer |
'08 tubes are 47 mm, '06-'07 were 43 mm. What is the cost of the '08 trees and legs?? | ||
| Treadmarks |
I will take my chances on the rake and trail. (just to try it) he fork tube IDs are different but the ODs are the same. Is there some other reason this would not work? | ||
| Prowler |
Been wanting to try this myself. Please let everyone know how this goes. Guessing that the handling will be a little quicker, but how noticeable?? Rake & trail number on stock XB12X is 22deg/4.8" (XB12R is 21 deg/3.3") Trail number with new trees will probably decrease by 3/4" or so but still be quite a bit more than XB12R. Wheelbase will increase by same amount. Can anyone verify this? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Treadmarks, I'll bet it works out great. Maybe you can do a step-by-step how-to with photo's when you pull your front end off and do the mod. Thanks in advance. Certainly cheaper than buying the forks also.  | ||
| Treadmarks |
With the Uly at 22/4.8 and my softail at 32/5.0 and my XR650L at 27/4.0, it would be interesting to see what the new trees do to the numbers. Professional Rake and Trail Calculator  | ||
| Soloyosh |
Changing the trail by that much on something that has the geometry of a XB is going to make a BIG (did I say BIG) difference. Especially on the brakes, where the pitching of the bike actually shortens the trail even more. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I'm sure that if it affects Tread's bike that much he'll then spring for the forks also. Just look at what the Tuttles on American Chopper use for fork geometry and they get away with it. Tread's already ordered them so let's just wait to enjoy the experiment. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Thanks for the kind words of caution Solo, and thanks for the support brother EG.  I was checking out the rake and trail specs at the motherships website on the 07 and 08. I didn't know that the forks were not parallel with the steering neck on the frame. The Rake (at Steering Head) is 23.5, but the Fork Angle is 22.0 For some reason I thought they would be the same. The Uly, 12Ss and the TT all have raked trees with the TT angles at 23.1 on the frame and 21.6 for the forks. The 12R, 12S, 12Scg and the 9SX all come with true trees at 21 degrees. (Message edited by treadmarks on November 16, 2007) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Treadmarks, thanks for paving the way and doing the ground work. Looking to add this mod to the CityX. It wants to be a ULY when it grows up | ||
| Teeps |
Electraglider_1997 Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 Tread's already ordered them so let's just wait to enjoy the experiment. Agreed, I just don't want to read about how he ate $^*& because of it... | ||
| Treadmarks |
let's just wait to enjoy the experiment. Muuuuuuuhhhhhhaaahaaahhaaaaa  | ||
| Tootal |
If Treadmarks wants to chop his Uly then he should go for it. A million Harley riders can't be wrong!! While your waiting for the trees to show up you could chrome the forks! In reality I don't think it will make a huge difference in handling. If anything it should make it more stable but it might resist turn in a little more. I would definitely not consider it anything close to dangerous. I anxiously await your results O Mad One.  | ||
| Treadmarks |
I'm baaaaaaack. 1800 miles on the uly in 5 days. Two up, all three bags, with the large hp top case. What a freakin blast. Hats off to Cee Baileys for making me a windshield and shipping it to me in two days. The windshield worked pretty good for touring, as did the new scorpion helmet and tourmaster transition II jacket. 65 mpg on backroads with all my mods at 60 mph. 35 mpg on the flats at 110/120 for over an hour. Crossed the entire state on back roads, mostly gravel and running at 80 mph fully loaded. Ran into a sand trap and about lost it. This bike is not good in deep sand. Gravel and rocks good...Deep sand baaaaad. The more I ride this bike the more I love it. Back to business. When I got home, the new 08 trees from Andy were here waiting on me. They look nice. Very light while also robust. I will get some pics. It may take a day or two to figure out how to support the front of the bike securely, while it is on the table lift. I will get pics and measurements from the chin spoiler to the back of the front wheel as well. It will be interesting to see just exactly how different this will be. | ||
| Andrewwegbert |
The frame part number is different from 07 to 08. I was told by someone with the motor company that you would have to change the frame to accomadate the 47mm forks and the increased turn radius. This would be a very costly job and in my opinion not worth it even though I have ridden the 08 Uly and it does turn tighter and doesn't dive as bad. Just not worth what you'd have to go through. I would be interested if someone can find another, cost effective, way to make it work. Where there's a will there's a way. | ||
| Chrisb |
Have you checked yourself to see if the frame number is different? The reps from the factory that read this board have confirmed it can be done. | ||
| Andrewwegbert |
I checked the part numbers first. Then called. I'm interested to know if it's possible without changing the frame. | ||
| Chrisb |
Keep in mind any sort of change to the frame would cause a p/n change. They could have reinforced a brace, added a tab for the "new" motor etc. | ||
| Treadmarks |
 Too late brother. The mad one has already begun.... (Message edited by treadmarks on November 23, 2007) | ||
| Bosh |
It looks scared! Be gentle.... This should be good, getting some popcorn now... | ||
| Andrewwegbert |
I understand the pn could be from any change to the frame. What I'm attempting to explain is that the steering neck on the new (08) frame is different. According to my sources. Not saying I know it all, just what I've come up with so far. I may be wrong. Keep in mind I work at a dealership and my sources are pretty accurate usually. From what I understand the 08 front end will not go on the 07 frame. Please inform me otherwise. I'm very interested in what you guys can come up with.  | ||
| Treadmarks |
dude, you're killin my buzz man.   | ||
| Gotj |
We do understand here that this is not a "rake" job don't we? It is an "offset" job (using the terms in the above diagram). The trees simply provide more offset but don't change the angle of the forks at the trees. The 08 forks have the axle offset to the rear to maintain the same trail as on the earlier models. The rake and fork angle remain the same as earlier models. The issue of different frame part numbers may have to do with the side-to-side travel stops for the forks. Something may have to be fabricated to keep the forks from hitting the frame at full lock. Looking at all of the farkles already fabricated, it may be a small issue for Treadmarks. Be sure to check the existing stops for guidance. | ||
| Andrewwegbert |
Makes sense Gotj. Treadmarks I'd hate to be responsible for killing someones buzz. That would just be way outside my character. Keep searching for the eternal buzz my friend.  | ||
| Chrisb |
I'm sure in the next day or so we'll know via Treadmarks what the 08 trees do on a 06 or 07. |
