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: 707 632 6252
[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
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