American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 220 November 2017 | Page 45

Inverted front ends – the story according to Kraus Described by Cazadero, California based Kraus Motor Company as “the number one inverted front end kit for Dyna, FXR, Sportster and Softails,” its Dynamoto SP inverted front ends are “absolutely the best performance suspension product for Harley-Davidson motorcycles available,” according to the company. “The Dynamoto SP package takes all of the guesswork and hassle out of upgrading. Suspension is extremely important and is at the core of a properly functional, fun and stable motorcycle. Suspension works to keep traction, controls the reaction of the motorcycle to road conditions, controls brake dive and increases the overall stability. A well-tuned suspension ensures comfort and fun for the rider.” The SP package comes complete with Ohlins R&T forks sprung specifically for Dyna, FXR, Sportster and Softails, right and left 108mm radial caliper adapters and Dynamoto triple trees. Kraus recommends adding axle and spacers for the stock Harley or aftermarket wheel, a GPR steering stabilizer kit for extra stability and control and a headlight visor mount to bolt on the stock Harley visor and mount the original headlight. Its bottom headlight mount can be used to fasten the Harley or an aftermarket headlight to the bottom Dynamoto triple tree, FXDXT fairing mounts to run a T-Sport fairing, carbon fiber or fiberglass fender kits and radial calipers with a Beringer front brake kit, according to Kraus. Kraus also says that front forks on a motorcycle “need to be as rigid as possible, to function as effective suspension parts. They also need to be as light as possible. An inherent advantage of inverted forks is their weight - they're lighter than conventional front ends. A steel fork tube is the heaviest part of a traditional fork assembly. By design, inverted forks have shorter and thinner walled fork tubes. This results in less steering inertia and more responsive handling feel. “Inverted front ends deliver better compression and rebound dampening than conventional designs and, by design, are inherently stronger than conventional front end assemblies. “Most of the stress applied to forks occurs just below the bottom triple tree. When the brake lever is pulled, the momentum of the bike transmits through the forks, trying to push the front wheel. On a conventional fork, the force is being exerted upon a steel fork tube, just below the lower triple tree, but on an inverted front end, the tube absorbing those forces is of a much greater diameter. “Inverted forks are exponentially more rigid because they mount the larger diameter “slider” to the triple tree. Conventional forks mount to the triple tree via the smaller and heavier steel fork tube. The much more rigid (compared to a steel fork tube) slider makes up a higher percentage of the overall length in an inverted front end. This design benefit reduces flex and improves handling and feel, what we call “connectedness” when compared to a conventional design. “Additionally, inverted forks are stronger because they have more overlap – the distance the fork tube protrudes into the slider – than conventional forks. The more overlap, the more rigid the front fork assembly.” KRAUS MOTOR CO Santa Rosa, California, USA Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.krausmotorco.com XL racing style swingarm German customizer Fred Kodlin has introduced a large range of Sportster styling parts, including a Cafe Racer style rear fender and racing style rear fender. Added to his racing line for Sportsters, this racing swingarm accommodates 200 rear tires on Sportsters from 2004 and up. It comes black powder- coated with rear stainless steel axle, axle adjusters and TÜV approval. Custom Chrome Europe, Germany, www.custom-europe.de www.AMDchampionship.com AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - NOVEMBER 2017 45