Triple Tree

[dwales]

Is the lower part of the triple tree the same for all years and models? I have a 81 Special built on a 78 standard frame. That is the way I bought it. My Son wrecked it last fall, and the lower part of the triple tree is twisted. I don't know if it is from the 78 or the 81. I need to know what I can be looking for.

TIA

[John]

The triple trees are different on the two models. I recently sold a triple tree from a 78 Standard to a guy who is building a side car setup on a Special, and he explained that even though the front axle mounting is different between the two, the trees were desiged to compenate for this, and keep the rake and trail the same between both bikes. The axle on the Special mounts forward of the fork, and the Standard mounts at the end of the fork tube.

[bkr]

Triple Tree

Hey dewales Have a tree off a 80SG ,not bent , wheel axel in front of forks. If interested e- mail me. Real cheap . bkr

[Geezer]

Re: Triple Tree

Originally posted by dwales
Is the lower part of the triple tree the same for all years and models? I have a 81 Special built on a 78 standard frame. That is the way I bought it. My Son wrecked it last fall, and the lower part of the triple tree is twisted. I don't know if it is from the 78 or the 81. I need to know what I can be looking for.

TIA

I have a set of special trees that I'd be happy to part with cheap.

Geezer

[mac707477]

triple trees

just sent a couple of picks of my modified 1980 special and figured that I would mention the difference in the two... if you are working with a special frame and would like to increase the rake slightly... put the standard xs's triple tree on the special frame and keep the specials forks. will increase the rake slightly and give you a more laid back look...

matt

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Matt,

Thanks for the info, I want to fully understand it! So, with the Special, its triple tree provides a steeper angle=forks closer to the frame, but because of the leading axle design, the wheel position is similar to the Standard's which pushes the fork tubes further away from the frame, but because the axle is on the end of the tubes, the wheel stays essentially in the same relative distance from the frame as the Special!?

I have 4" over sized upper tubes on my Special, this has raised my frame up considerably which I like, but I think it may have slightly destabilized my front wheel a bit, so using a Standard Triple Tree would push the wheel forward away from the frame a bit, increasing the rake angle, lowering the frame while providing a slight chopper look?? Would this help the stability of the front wheel with this increased angle??? I am running a TKAT FB!!!

[mac707477]

that's correct the standards were built with a triple tree that was in line with the fork tube while the special's were slightley reduced on their rake to compensate for the forward mounted axle. so one of the quickest and easiest things to do is to change out the triptle tree with one form a standand and increase your rake about 3-4 degrees... only thing you will need to do unfortunately is to take your headlight mounting tubes and cut roughly 3/4 of an inch off of the top of them... which will get rid of the gap between the headlight and the guages... I cut mine off with a 4" grinder and some patience... the rubber mounts hide the cut marks so it is not an obvious modification, but will definitely change the look of the bike... just be forwarned... it will also change the handling slightly...

good luck,
matt

p.s. where did you get the extended fork tubes???

[mac707477]

tkat

portsmouth huh???

e-mail me and will see about giving you a hand and comparing notes...

matt
right across the line in NC

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Matt,
I sent you an email. BTW, I'm just lowly TopCat/T.C., the other person you mentioned is the venerable TKAT, maker of those wonderful Fork Braces and other machining wonders! Just wanted to set that straight for others in cases of imperceptions!
T.C.