The right frame
 

Hi everyone, new to bike building, wanted to get some input from anyone about rake and tire size. I want to go with the big 250 rear, does anyone out there have a bike, or have ridden a bike with this big a tire? does it make that much of a difference in the handling? Also I want to rake this sucker out, at least 40 degrees, anyone have any input about that. Looking for a bike that looks like the one in my head, but is fun to ride on a sunday afternoon. Thanks for the help

Jeff

Sounds like a project you have going there man.

First off, I have ridden a wide tire and it just feels great a highway speeds. When you're buzzing around town though, you won't get the quick cornering you might be used to...but you will get the looks. My experience comes from riding a friends customized fat boy...so it could have just been the setup he had...but that's what I've felt/seen.

Now, about that frame.....unless you have some considerable experience with tube welding and shaping I wouldn't do the work yourself. Yes practice does make perfect, and if you have the time, inclination and money...practice on those tubes until you feel comfortable, but otherwise if you are looking to build a bike and you're new to the area....buy your frame. It's the foundation of the bike and you wanna make sure it's sturdy. If you wanna do some fabrication and are handy with the welder and the (pick a shaping tool) then customize the sheet metal. Add some metal to the tanks, cut crazy designs in the fenders or shape them differently.

Buying a frame isn't all that bad either these days. Hell you can purchase almost any kind of frame you want with rake and tire size in mind for a decent price.

So, what's this picture in your head look like? Sound like, long low and fat to me.....

I've seen 250 rear tire rolling chassis' on Ebay as low as $2500. That's a deal for a starter bike, frame, forks, wheels and handlebars. I'd start there. Of course your local aftermarket shop probably has the same kit for the same price.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm not going to build the frame myself, although I'd like to learn about all thast sometime, this time around I'm going to buy one. Been looking at all sort of after market frames. The more I started looking into this, the more I started to learn about trail. So I've started to worry that the picture in my head, won't be very fun to ride. I really like the fat tires, I think it's key to the look I like. I first started looking into rigid frames, I like the chopper look, but the more I start looking at the softail frames, the more I think I can get the same look. My other big concern is the rake of the bike, I want at least 40 degrees, but would really like 45 degrees. But I'm still worried about the trail, everything I read tells me about how to adjust the trail once I have the frame, but it doesn't help me much in my buying decision. If anyone has any expirenced with raked out bike, would love to hear from you.

Jeff

I forgot, Mongo, what I have in mind, is yes low and raked, something like 5" backbone stretch, with maybe 2 or 3" in the downtubes. Raked out at least 40 degrees, with a 21" front tire, 250 rear, almost drag style, but with that chopper feel. Going to put a few custom sheet metal fabrications on, just to make it my own, I don't want it to look like a bolt together bike.

Jeff

I have a 37 degree rake on my fatboy, and it's not too noticeable while riding. I've ridden stock rake softails, and other fatboys, and it's not too much different. Might not roll into the corners like a stock rake bile, but then again, most people don't ride Harleys for their cornering ability. :D