chopper specs - rakes, triple clamp offset, tree rake, etc??

[JWScarab]

I've been using the search tool !!!

Looking for 03 Chopper specs:

Front Tire: 21"
Frame Rake: 36deg ??
Triple clamp offset: ??
Fork Length: ??
Triple Tree Rake: 3 deg ??

Considering a future project of more rake. I've seen a few members here with choppers that went 5 in the tree and 12 over and say all is well. While I believe them, I'd still like to crunch the numbers in the trail calculators.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/5534-more-rake.html

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Wright]

This is all I know. 03's and 04's

SPECIFICATIONS
2004 CHOPPER
TOTAL LENGTH 103 INCHES
WHEEL OPTIONS
SCYTHE
HOOLIGAN
VADER
RADICAL FRONT FORK DESIGN
It's not just the rake that makes a chopper a
chopper. It's the attitude found in every
component from one end of the bike to the
other. Helping set the Big Dog Motorcycles
Chopper apart is a redesigned tipped front
fork with an integrated brace that gives this
stretched out bike an even more radical
design and aggressive, hardcore stance.
CHROME HANDLEBARS AND
STANDARD LED TACHOMETER
Wide 1¼" Billet Handlebars are an exclusive
Big Dog Motorcycles design. They provide a
natural riding position and an ideal place for
the LED Tachometer. With lights indicating
rpm in increments of 500, the new tach also
has a low idle indicator.
REAR-MOUNTED KICKSTAND
Big Dog Motorcycles has paid attention to
every detail to make sure the bike always
stands out. A new detail in 2004 ensures the
bike always stands up…easier. The rearmounted
kickstand (standard on all models)
is simple to kick down, resists dragging for
better cornering and tucks away nicely
when not in use.
OTHER OPTIONS
• FULL POLISHED
MOTOR AND
TRANSMISSION
• 117 CU. IN. ENGINE
• PAINTED STRUTS
• OIL TANK
GRAPHICS
(EXCLUDES CHOPPER DT)
HIGHLIGHTS
• RADICAL CHOPPER
DESIGN YET EASY
TO TURN AND
STEER
• EXCELLENT
SUSPENSION AND
ERGONOMICALLY
OUTSTANDING FOR
A COMFORTABLE
RIDE
• 107 CU. IN. ENGINE
AND 6-SPEED
TRANSMISSION
SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. © 2003 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES • BIG DOG TRADEMARKS ARE UNDER LICENSE FROM BIG DOG HOLDINGS, INC.
Warranty: 2-Year Factory Warranty
Dry Weight: 635 lbs
Engine: OHV 45 degree V-Twin
Displacement: 107 cu. in. (1,750cc)
Bore and Stroke: 4"x 4.25"
Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
Fuel System: S&S Super G Carburetor
Fuel Capacity: 4.25 gal
Oil Capacity: 3 qts
Transmission: Baker 6-Speed
Primary Drive: Chain
Final Drive: Belt
Frame Stretch: 7" Downtube, 3" Backbone
Frame Tubing: 1.5" Diameter
Frame Rake: 35 Degrees
Rear Suspension: Hidden Shocks
Front Suspension: 41mm Telescopic
Seat Height: 25"
Ground Clearance: 4.75"
Wheel Base: 78.25"
Total Length: 103"
Front Brake: PM 4-Piston Caliper
Rear Brake: PM 4-Piston Caliper
Front Tire: MH90 X 21
Rear Tire: 250/40 x 18
Tire Pressure: Front: 40 psi/Rear: 42 psi

 

[JWScarab]

Thanks for the info MrW. That helps! I was looking at the Ultima 58mm inverted 5/12. But I know one of the members on here removed his. I will try to get some measurements on my bike. Ill try to get feedback from him. This is a way off (wintertime) project if it happens.

 

[JWScarab]

Well I've given up on the Ultima idea. Now been reading and I'm thinking about maybe just a new 5* tree and 12 over tubes. This will give the bike a little more rake, and length, but I can maintain 41mm look, the OEM lowers, and keep the front fender. Really want the bike to retain the stock look. I think BDM nailed it on the look!

 

[JWScarab]

Well crap - back to square one. I'm guessing this is hard to find information, or not really available anymore. I did see 35 in the frame from MrW, I also saw 36 in the frame from another members posting on specs. I see 3 in the tree on replacement trees from BDPK. And I see 40 total in the 03 Chopper manual. So it all doesn't add up.....lol. I can measure the rest of the bike specs no problem, but I doubt I can measure the difference between 1* on the frame.

Anyway, I am going to get to the bottom of this (its killing me to know now). I will post when I finally think I have it confidently figured out for others to have the info as well.

Thanks!

 

[BadDawg Bill]

I believe it's 37 on the frame and 3 on the trees. that's what my 2004 chopper has. Be careful with the rake and trail because get it wrong and it will dump your butt in a high speed wobble.

 

[john sachs]

I believe it's 37 on the frame and 3 on the trees. that's what my 2004 chopper has. Be careful with the rake and trail because get it wrong and it will dump your butt in a high speed wobble.

100 % correct. When you used raked trees, you change rake, and not trail. :bang:

 

[JWScarab]

Yea - I will be careful. I'm just thinking about a future project - maybe this fall after riding season is over. I want to go from 3* and 10 over tubes, to 5* and 12 over tubes.

I do CAD work for a living so once I get my bike back together with stock geometry (I'm doing a fork rebuild now) I will take real good measurements of it all and lay it out on CAD to figure out the trail.

What I believe I have now is about 4.75" trail. Going to 5* and 12 over tubes will put me at 3" of trail. I'm thinking and reading 3" trail is ok. Also, 2 other members on here (Moespeeds and Marv) went to 5*/12 over on choppers and say its great. This also lifts the front of the frame a "tiny amount" so you actually gain 2 1/2* of rake.

If you go to 7* and 14 over tubes - you get down to about 0.8" trail - too risky for me.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted - its a fall project - not now.

Here's the cool part. Derek and Donna are selling 2010 Big Dog Wolf triple trees for $249. They are chrome, 41mm, smooth tops with no nut, and they are raked 5* and bolt right up to the Chopper (Dyna dimensions). That's a cheap way to get there with those trees and a set of 12 over tubes (and maybe a brake line). Whole thing raked for under $400!! Even the fender will bolt right up because the tubes will stay at 10" apart. Should honestly be an ez "bolt on" mod.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Should be an easy mod and not too radical. I once paid $1,500 for adjustable rake trees and wound up setting them at 5* to keep the trail right. If I had known a 5* rake set of trees would have cost under $400. Live and learn. Good luck!

 

[JWScarab]

Well I'm a little slow, but I finally got around to plotting out my bikes measurements and wanted to share for you guys fyi. I was basically going to increase my tree from 3* to 5* and change out the tubes from +10 to +12. I have heard this is not a bad mod and wont affect rake/trail.

I do drafting work for a living, so I took very good measurements of my bike while on the lift. The lower bike in green is my bike stock. The upper bike in red would be after the modification to rake it out 2 more degrees and 2 more inches.

Results:

Stock setup has a rake approx 41.15* (I know I know - book says 40* but I carefully measured real world) and stock trail of 3.75"

Modified setup would have a rake of 44.15* and a trail of 1.85", and an increased overall bike length of 2.39"

Route for me - I'm leaving well enough alone. Some may say a trail of 1.85" may be ok, but it's quite a bit lower measurement for my comfort level. Plus in the pic below - not really a whole lot of difference in appearance.

Anybody want a brand new Big Dog 2010 Wolf chrome 5* tree for $249 (free shipping to lower 48), just yell!