Frame Terms and Options

At Gambler, we build frames to order, and we can customize the various dimensions to your specifications.  Because of this, we want to clarify what is involved in Stretch, Rise, and Rake (Head Angle).

Rake

This is actually an incorrect term.  Properly speaking, this is "Head Angle". It is the angle that the steering stem of the triple trees goes through the frame.  We have a selection of "Standard" steering heads that are available at no extra charge, but our special tooling can provide ANY steering head angle from 31 to 46 degrees.

Effect on handling: Generally speaking, the steeper the head angle (lower number) the faster the handling is on the bike.  A Standard HD Softail runs a 30 degree head angle.  We have found that a 35 degree head is a nice compromise between looks and handling.

Usually, Heads 38 degrees  and above don't handle as good because the front end starts to feel heavy and want to flop over, particularly at low speeds.  This can be corrected to some degree with adjustable trees, which we recommend for the more extreme head angles (40 degrees and above).

Front Leg Rise (or "Rise")

The front Legs of the frame  are the two tubes that run in front of the engine, between the motor mount and headstock. Our frames come standard with 0 front leg rise.  We can provide Front leg rises up to 6" above this.  This was the "stretch" used in the 70s style "Choppers".

Front leg rise is independent of all other dimensions, and is measured STRAIGHT UP from the base of the frame table.  It is NOT extended along the angle of the front legs.  THIS IS IMPORTANT! As front leg rise increases, the front tubes get closer to the cylinders (see picture above).  For this reasons, Frame rises above certain heights MUST be combined with backbone stretch. or the front tubes will hit the front cylinder of the engine.

These tables show what minimum backbone stretch to use with  front leg rises

Effect on Handling: Requires a longer front end, which in turn makes the front end a little "heavier" in steering.

Backbone Stretch (or Stretch)

The Backbone is the tube that the fuel tank sits on, between the steering head and the seat pan..  We offer several different backbone stretches available at no extra charges.  This is the "Stretch"  used in the 80s and 90s style customs as popularized by builders like Arlen Ness and Donnie Smith.

Again, Backbone stretch is independent of any other dimension on the chassis, and DOES NOT MOVE THE FOOTPEGS.  It only moves the steering head forward.

Important note: There is a real different between our Rubbermount frames (G-2000 and G-6000) and the solidmounts (all other part numbers) and it involves backbone stretch:  The rubbermounts were initially developed around the HD FXR chassis, which is about 2" shorter than a factory Softial in the backbone.