changing forks

[evo550]

What would be the possible implications of changing forks to leading axle from a set with the axle at the bottom of the leg (not sure what you call them) Wobbly steering perhaps?

[brent j]

hey Evo,

How the bike will handle depends on the total offset between the front axle and steering shaft and how much you change it.

Most forks with inline axles have a lot of offset in the triple clamps, and most forks with leading axles have little offset in the triples.

If you increase the total offset you will reduce the trail and the bike will turn on a 1c piece but be unstable.

Decrease the offset and the bike will turn slower but be stable.

With my XT500s I reduce the offset by about 7mm to increase the trail to make them stable but steepen the steering head angle to make them turn better.

Hope this helps

Brent

 

[evo550]

Brent,
So if I leave the clamps as standard and change the forks from inline axle to leading axle then it will increase stability and slow steering??

[brent j]

Evo,

Sorry, it will be the other way around.

By changing to leading axle forks (I'm assuming from inline?) you will increase the offset which will reduce the trail. This will make the bike very quick in the steering and unstable.

Brent