Same here I don't use science or even think about technical stuff, I get ideas in my head and think about and just do it, when I built my Commando/Featherbed back in early 80s I was still young in my early 20s and was the first bike I ever built, I had an idea in my head in what I wanted and just did it, worked for me I have a great light weight bike, handles great and has a lot of torque and when I had the money I threw in a few upgrades on the way, using as much of the Commando bits that fitted the Featherbed frame as I could.
What I done worked well as to this day I am still riding it, handles even better and also a bit more lighter, the motor is still the same and it's been very reliable, so too me it has proven itself and proved to my mates who thought I was going in the wrong direction and the best thing I learn/know every bit on my bike and every nut and bolt from the motor to all my hand made engine mounts are still the same from original bits on my motor to the new bolts when it put the motor in the Featherbed all them years ago (over 44+ years), nothing has shook off the bike, no major vibrations and can ride it all day without any problems at all.
So never even thought about tail, rake, off sets and the Commando frontend works perfect on the Featherbed frame, but with a better complete front brake upgrade.
I think Al just overthinks things and 14 years off a bike is way too long, that would put me in a early grave, never been without a road going British bike in 50+ years of riding.
Now to get back into the 1960 Manxman project cafe racer build, now that's been way too long.
Ashley
