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This is a popular mod, for those that wish for a little extra rake. If you're adding fork extensions or longer tubes, you'll most likely need longer brake and speedo lines before diving into this project. Also please refer to the "Front End" page here at VLX Diagrams for exploded views of both the fork assembly and the triple trees.
Be warned, some forum members have had problems adapting Rizoma products to their bikes.
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Part 1: Initial Prep >>>
First off you need to loosen the front axle bolt, first loosen the two small allen bolts int he right side fork, then crack the big 17mm axle loose. Now elevate the front wheel, either with a jack or lift. Remove the handlebar and risers (see the Handlebar Exchange page here), and either disconnect it or lay it on the tank as shown with a protective mat or cloth. Now you can remove the wheel.
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Part 2: OEM Parts Removal >>>
Disconnect the brake caliper and speedo cable connection at the wheel, and loosen the four fork bolts onthe triple trees. Disconnect the directionals and remove, also disconnect the headlight. Pull each tube out and set aside. Now remove the Now remove the steering crown bolt on the triple trees, the top tree can now be removed. Underneath is the upper bearing lock nut and adjustment nut, this requires a spanner wrench. If you don't have one, a standard screwdriver can be inserted into a "tooth" and tapped with a hammer to remove. Once these two are removed the lower tree will come out. Now is a good time to slap some grease inside the steering head.
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Part 3: Install New Trees >>>
Grease the lower bearing and races, insert onto lower new triple tree/stem. If you can't get the original lower race and seal off, acquire new ones, it's much easier and not very costly items. Now grease the upper bearing and races, and lower triple tree through sleeve. Replace adjustment nut and tighten, add lock washer and lock nut. Add upper tree and tighten, and replace the fork assemblies (or new fork assemblies if longer tubes were added, or add any fork extensions prior to this step) and turn signals.
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Part 4: Finishing Touches >>>
Connect new brake and speedo lines (or reconnect existing ones if applicable), replace the caliper, dash lights, and headlight. Replace fender and front wheel. Replace risers and handlebar, tighten everthing down and Voila: fresh raked look!
For wide glide kits, there will be a few spacers that will need to be added in. Some kits will have spacers for the caliper and others will have one for the rotor, but not both. All wide glide kits should have a set of spacers for the fender, and the axle spacers will come in one of two ways, either an axle with a built-in spacer on the non-caliper side and a spacer for the caliper side, or two extra spacers one for each side, in either case the OEM spacer is retained and goes on the inside/by the wheel on the non caliper side, between the new axle/spacer and the wheel. The other spacer fits between the speedo gearbox and fork lower.
Sample Before & After Pics
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Shadow Shack's Stocker >>>
These aren't raked trees, but the ol' Shack had his OEM upper tree and risers plated for a nicely added screaming statement. Now the entire assembly matches the OEM shiny logo on the triple tree!
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"Far out, DaBratt-man!" >>>
Young master Jake took an already decent looking bike and went all out. Slammed the rer down 4" via the "Snotface Strut" and added Rizoma trees and fork extensions, among a few other tasty tidbits that only a true believer could imagine.
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"Downtime" Bryan's 96 VLX >>>
This one features stock length forks slung through a set of raked trees and a Bean210-modified rear shock for the ground pounder look.
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Shadow Shack's "VLX-Max" >>> Before, this bike had a solid strut set at maximum swingarm compression (4" lowered rear) and 4" over forks in stock trees. Currently it features a modified rear shock (3" lower) and same forks set in +6 degree triple trees
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Shack's Chopper >>>
This before/after shot depicts a Seeger chopper kit. These basicaly go on the same way, with the exception of an additional piece that mounts below the frame between the steering head and the lower tree.
Click here for a pictorial explanation of the Seeger chopper kit
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