The new front end. Built similar to a springer, but using rear motocycle shocks for the springs. This type of front is refered too as a Leading Link type front end. These front ends work very well, but care must be taken to build them properly. Its very important that the trees and the rockers be drilled just a like and the legs are the same length and that every thing is the same on one side as it is on the other. I spent a lot of time building a wood mock up front end first to make sure I was in the ball park on the rake and trail that I wanted. I used the same size wood as I planed to use for the metal. After I was sure that things were going to work, I started with 5/8" flat stock to make my trees. I cut them to the size I wanted then spot welded them together so that when I drilled them, the holes would all be the same. After I shaped them I broke them apart. Same with the rockers. I used 1/2" flat x2" to make them. Spot welded and drilled them, shaped them the broke them apart. I welded 3/4" nuts inside the 1 1/2" square heavy wall tubes to be able to bolt my legs to the trees. Make sure your bolts are in the center of the tubes so as to not cause anything to line up wrong. Welded a piece of heavy metal in the other end to have something to weld the tabs too that I added to bolt to the rockers. I have been using this setup for only a few days, but so far the results have been very good. My rake is 42 degrees, trail is 1 1/2". Corners like a dream at all speeds. In fact I find myself taking curves a little faster than I probably should be, but so far, no problem. The point I wish to make is this. I have seen and read several times on the BTW forum that rake and trail don't matter to much on a Trike. I say, Bull Shit to that statement. Rake is of no concern, but anytime you have more that about 4" of trail, your steering will be hard at speeds above 30mph.
