The Chopper Compendium

Okay, here is what i have--Paughco +6" taper leg springer, Kraftech rigid frame, 38 rake, + 2" in down tubes. I have been using this springer on a swingarm frame Paughco, with 34 rake +2" down tubes. This thing rides and handles great. After mocking up with the rigid-looks like its going to be about 1" short!
So to my question--RAKE & TRAIL, i sure as hell cannt make anything of it? Can i change the shape of the rockers-to raise the front end? Or should i just cut the frame and remove 3-4 degrees of rake??? There is no way i am going to cut the front end.
I need a lay-mens way of figuring rake and trail. And what are we looking for in trail? 3 3/8" or more or less????? Sure dont want to mold and paint frame just to do it again! HELP !!!!!!!!!!! Greg

This help? Rockers can be about any shape as long as they can still travel.

Looks like some offset to the trees. Run a center line down the steering head, (not the rear leg) to the ground. Run a verticle line from ground through axle center. The distance between these points is your trail measurement. If the tire center is ahead of the steering center then it is negative trail. Generally considered not good. Usually looking at a floating range of around 3-4 inches.

Most of my time is on bobbers, so someone will probably be able to give you more about your setup. I hope that helps.

...useless post as i was not paying attention to the conversation....

I said offset, not rake.

sorry misread. it was midnight and my wife was talking to me while i was typing.

Yes there is offset of 1" i think. i would have to check my blueprint to verify. And yes measure the trail along the centerline of the steering axis

No biggie, I figured it was something like that. I did the same thing, took me a minute to realize the Sugarbear wasn't the set up in question.