Trail does what???

[ktmmudd]

I was reading the new MXA,(no flames please)lol, and they had an article about fixing the handling on the CRF450. Their theory was that by decreasing the triple clamp offset, from 24mm to 20mm,
the trail would increase, the engine would effectively be moved forward and the wheel base would be shortened. I agreed with them until I got to the part about trail increasing. Am I all mixed up,
or wouldn't the trail decrease by reducing the offset of the triple clamps. Someone help, enquiring minds want to know.:uh:

 

[dirt bike dave]

According to the link below, decreasing the offset by 4mm would increase the trail by the same amount, so MXA got that right.

http://www.vtwo.demon.co.uk/firestorm/steering.htm

Think of it this way - you are moving the front wheel toward the back, but the imaginary line where the steering head angle intercepts the ground will remain the same, so the trail increases.

 

[ktmmudd]

Trail??

Thanks, dirtbikedave! I was confused about trail and rake. The link you posted explained it clearly and simply.
;)