Rake or no rake ?? 250R triple on a 350X

[Dirtcrasher]

I've read about this for quite awhile. TRIED to do my homework.......

Apparently you bore the 250R lower triple to accept the 350X stem for a 250R front end on a 359X upgrade. The steering stops must also be made/changed/fabricated.

The 250R has no rake in the triple, it's all done in the neck; Everyone has agreed to that.

For anyone that doesn't know, the 350X stem is longer/fatter and has to be used in the 350X frame or at least that is what I'm seeing after hearing this......

I'm told or read that the 350X triple does have rake built in it, however once you run trailing axle with this new 250R setup, your close to the same rake (or I have that arse backwards....) and your overall ride angles will be AOK, yet a much better front fork.

I started on this the other day. While indicating everything in, both the 250R and 350X had no rake, just one straight plane from the stem to the tubes.

Maybe I got a bum triple? but too me, the rake hasn't changed, merely the positioning of the axle be it trailing or leading axle - whether it is a 250R or a 350X triple clamp.

So, is there rake built into the 85 or 86 350X triple and or the 85/86 250R, versus the mounting stem. My indicator says that neither has rake which goes against everything I "thought" I knew and read.......

I don't know Jason's phn number or Bills who could answer this quickly, I thought I PM'd him but I don't wanna bother the guy with the crap he was doing 4 years ago, he's moving forwards.

For now, I'll rebuild the 39MM forks for the 350X crate motor trike I'm building. In the rear I have questions about geometry, what swinger to use, what linkage to use and of course whether I can get my brand new FOX podium (cannondale) shock to work or if I have to buy a 250R shock.

The ultimate goal is a great front end with nearly 2"s of additional travel and a rear set up to soak up some larger jumps (using newer parts) and a crate motor with a mid range cam and 10.25:1 Wiseco.

I need very few parts or this just could never happen in my financial situation.

I hope the parts will swip and swap because they are paid for and this is a low budget build based on the parts I paid for years ago :D.

THANK YOU for any input and I'm open to near it all.........

[swampthang]

I always thought that the rake was build into the neck. Isn't the rake farther out on the 85r then the 86r do to the frame?

[fabiodriven]

What Bill's number do you need? TPC Bill? I have his number if you need it.

[Dirtcrasher]

Yep, that works - Thanks John, I'll give you a yell later.......

[Dirtcrasher]

OK, maybe I screwed this one up.....

It appears, the 350X is all on the same plane, rake in the neck - By itself......

The 250R seems to have about 6 or 7 degrees of rake in the triple - By itself.....

I must have ate some mushrooms when I did this or I didn't press the stem in far enough to see. I guess I got it arse backwards.....

:lol: but at least I can proceed with building the forks now :D See you in a couple ............

[Jason Hall]

DC, I sent you my number In response to your PM last night!!! NO Rake Is my suggestion. Give me a call... The stock 350x rake angle Is a good setup. IMO, on a 3 wheeler the more the forks are angled, the harder It Is to keep the steering from wearing on your arms!!! As you turn the handle bars, the outer most part of the front axle gets closer to the ground. That would be considered your caster angle like on a car (CASTER / CAMBER). Caster Is what make's the front wheel return back to center. Playing with that angle Is what make's a GREAT front end!!

[Dirtcrasher]

I must have f-d it up, I could not find it..... Fabio said he'd hook me up. Whats a good time and Sat or Sun??

Thank you!! :beer

I'm outside welding :D

[Jason Hall]

Saturday anytime. Have fun Welding :D

[Vealmonkey]

I've been following this thread and I vaguely remember reading some things awhile ago. I think I remember reading the 83 and 84 atc forks will fit in the 350x triples. Now my big question would be, could you use the 83-84 atc250r fork tubes in the 350x lower legs? I have pretty much everything to rebuild the 350x lower legs, all nos except for the lower legs, the springs and the fork tubes. If you could swap the 250r fork tubes and springs in the 350x lower legs, that would seem like the deal to do then. And if you could swap the fork tubes and the springs, then maybe the progressive springs for the 83-84 atc250r would be even a better deal. Now I just have to figure out if these parts swap over and where to get some 83-84 progressive fork springs from. Has anyone swapped these parts out before?

[Billy Golightly]

I wouldn't use the 250R triples..way too much rake for something that originally did not have any built into them like the 350X. Is there not enough room to just bore the 350x clamps (4mm total, 2mm each side of the hole? thats only like .080)

[Dirtcrasher]

Supposedly spinning them around (trailing axle) is close enough and I'm not afraid to chop the neck and tweak it it.

I'll riode it, I'll try it and I'll have you guys take a stock 250R and measure the center of the fork to the center of the footpeg if need be.

A 250 or 450F is not in the budget now :D, but I need more suspension travel......

VM - The 83/84 fit right in the 350X but must have some travel loss. The hot ticket is to use the 84/84R damping rod and the rest from the 350X. Thats what I run now but it's just not enough......

EDIT, I don't want to bore them, I'll feel safer. How many degrees will I be off 2,3,4 ??"

[Dirtcrasher]

Jason, your # isn't in my inbox? and Fabio isn't around.....

Can anyone PM me Jason Halls phone number?

THANK YOU!!

[sandpuppi101]

DC I ran into this issue on my MDR 600X build but that was 2 year's ago now but if memory serve's me correct I went with a set of '83 or '84 tripple's and I used a set of 350X fork's .I did have to modify the steering stop's but the fork's did in fact switch rite over.The air R tripple's brought the tire back enough where I did'nt get the chopper effect.If it help's any I did a write-up on that build or if you need more pic's let me know.Hope I helped ya out and did'nt confuse ya any more ,LOL...

[Dirtcrasher]

I wouldn't use the 250R triples..way too much rake for something that originally did not have any built into them like the 350X. Is there not enough room to just bore the 350x clamps (4mm total, 2mm each side of the hole? thats only like .080)

Billy, I'm only boring the center stem of the 0 rake R tripples so no strength will be lost. Running them trailing axle on an X is supposedly pretty much the same rake as stock.

So, I'll try it and it I don't like it I'll cut and weld the dam steering neck exactly where I want it :D

This is my "I don't have any money, budget build........." :lol: