76 Ironhead front end

[Guest]

Totally new to bikes. Just bought my first builder. thought I didnt come with the front end as it was damaged. Im wondering what used front ends will work? Id like to put just a slight amount of rake in the front end maybe 4-6 degree. The bike was already hardtailed. Trying to keep to a budget so Im thinking good used is my avenue but unsure what all i need and which front ends will fit it.

[Tattooo]

Totally new to bikes. Just bought my first builder. thought I didnt come with the front end as it was damaged. Im wondering what used front ends will work? Id like to put just a slight amount of rake in the front end maybe 4-6 degree. The bike was already hardtailed. Trying to keep to a budget so Im thinking good used is my avenue but unsure what all i need and which front ends will fit it.

Can you post pics of your bike????? Are you saying you want to rake the frontend of just longer tubes??????

[farmall]

Details help us help you. Pics are required so we see what you have. Take pics of the damage and of both sides of the motorcycle.

BTW make sure you have clear title in your name. Not doing that is a very common noob error.

[JBinNC]

If you are working with the original '76 XL frame, be advised that the ball bearings used have races with a 15/16 ID. If you are planning to rake the frame, you would be ahead of the game to cut the existing steering head off, and add a big twin steering head. The dimensions for this are in a drawing on the wishbone frame thread posted here recently.
That will allow you to use a wide variety of big twin and modern XL front ends, and make your life a whole lot easier.

Jim

[Guest]

this was the bike before it was damaged. What I dont like is how close the front tire is to the frame. Id like to move it out just a bit without jacking up the front end. basically im looking to make the bike look just a little longer. Im a 300lb guy I dont want the bike looking tiny under me so since its been hardtailed im looking to move that front tire out

[Tattooo]

Im a 300lb guy I dont want the bike looking tiny under me so since its been hardtailed im looking to move that front tire out

That's gonna be a little hard to do on a Sporty but it's worth a shot.............

[Tattooo]

That pic is pretty much useless as small as it is............

Post a pic not something with all of that clutter around it.............

[confab]

I'm a noob too and I've been looking at this very thing, lately.

You'll want to read this:

http://chopperhandbook.com/rake.htm

And I found extended tubes for my forks on Ebay and the prices weren't bad at all.

The service & parts manual helps a lot. You can find them in PDF format on the Carl Salter website.

[Tattooo]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Now your talking........ ^^^^^^^^^^

[Guest]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Now your talking........ ^^^^^^^^^^

The bike is in pieces was before I got it. I have no other pictures

[Tattooo]

The bike is in pieces was before I got it. I have no other pictures

So you can't walk over and take pics of it now?????? Is it somewhere else???

[TriNortchopz]

I

d like to put just a slight amount of rake in the front end maybe 4-6 degree.

As Jim mentioned, improved options for BT frontends; here is a budget way to get that on your XL(but no change in rake):

Old-Stf Cycle Ironhead Sportster Neck Cup Conversion 7/8 inch to 1 inch, $115.
New neck cup set to convert 1952 - 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportsters to fit a wide variety of big twin and aftermarket front ends

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/old-stf-cycle-ironhead-sportster-neck-cup-conversion-7-8-to-1.html

Here are a set of raked bearing cups(but for Sportster frontend):

Fork Cup Set, 3 Degree Rake, 1957-1978 Harley XL Sportster, $112

https://secure.vulcanworks.net/store/Fork-Cup-Set-3-Degree-Rake-1957-1978-Harley-XL-Sportster.html

Although you don't want to 'jack up the front end', another option is to cut and stretch the front rails and bend up the upper frame rail (backbone) to get the 6 degree rake you want, kinda like Dusty did with his Indian frame here:
Thread: Proper way to rake older Harleys?

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53803

[KevinN]

I changed my fork tubes to 35mm dual disc front end from a big twin. They use 10" rotors. I used my 1974 trees and stayed with the 7/8 stem. HD still sells the ball bearings. If you want more rake then raking a sportster frame from that era is a job for a competent fabricator.