Geek_Law
Well-Known Member
I'm curious about the different front ends on these rigs:ummm: I am familiar with the one on the Yellow VMax. Do you have any info on the Third VMax, The Black one?
Thanks, Bob:biglaugh:
The two solutions for reducing the amount of pressure it takes to turn the front wheel are 1) a leading link suspension, and 2) a front end with reduced rake. The black one is a leading link suspension taken to the extreme. Here is a more typical leading link:
Reducing the rake angle brings the front wheel back so that it is more vertical so that when you turn the handle bars you get more of a pivot action directly over the wheel rather than a leaning or tilting type action that is normal on a motorcycle.
Since you don't lean, you don't want the front wheel to lean you into a turn, rather, you just need it to pivot. When you try to turn a normal bike with a sidecar on it (like my unmodified front end and your unmodified front end) you are fighting against that leaning action of the front wheel and lifting the whole bike up just a bit since the tire cannot follow its nature contour and angle.
The modified front ends are commonly compared to having "power steering" on a car. I've never driven a rig with a modified front end, but I can see what they mean because mine is like a car with a non-functional power steering. i.e., it is really hard to turn! I've just gotten used to it though.
There are a couple of companies around that will do a custom leading link for you for about $1000.00 or so if you just send them your entire triple tree assembly.
Once modified, it is not safe to ride the bike as a "normal" two-wheel motorcycle. I'm told they get very squirrely and obviously turn and lean funny.