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Is Anyone using a Fork Brace??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

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Is it worth it ?? Does It actually improve the handling as they state that it does??? Thanks for the input
 
There is a fork brace on Dink's Tractor, he tells me this is standard equipment for that model. I think anything that will help reduce flex in the forks/front-end has got to help with handling. When I was racing bikes fork braces were fitted and deemed to aid in bike safety. If you are having handling problems now check all your bearings and bushes to be sure there is not a problem there first.
 
Jean
is dink referring to the fork brace that comes standard under the front mud guard??
 
SLOWPOKE said:
Jean
is dink referring to the fork brace that comes standard under the front mud guard??
Click to expand...
Yes he is but he tells me that it is heavier on the 1150 than on previous models and thus does the same job as one that you would fit yourself
 
I run a solid aluminium fork brace on the old 1978 GS1000. It definitely stiffens up the front, most noticeable at high speed and rough roads (normal Australian roads!). For sane or easier riding it would be a plus but not essential.
 
Hi Saaz,

Welcome to here. Whereabouts in Oz are you?

Kim
I'm really on posting this to have three Aussies in a row. :-)
 
Yes a fork brace will help.
Kim saaz is in Canberra and I am answering for him to make it four Aussies in a row
Dink
 
Yes, I am in canberra. Just been locked out of here for a while and haven't had the chnace to check back in.....I just need riding time in between work. and other things....

John
 
I run a folk brace on my S but not on the E. When pushed hard into corners the forks tend to walk. Another trick to getting the 2valves to handle is to put a very sticky tyre on the front and a harder compound on the rear and then power slide it around the corners. This works well for me
I am also an aussie. I am I Brisbane

Regards
Mick
 
HEY DINK
WITH ALL OF THESE AUSSIES IN THE FORUM SHOULD I CALL THIS AN INVASION OR A BLOODY INVASION??? (((WHATEVER THAT MEANS))
 
Mick GS1000 said:
I run a folk brace on my S but not on the E. When pushed hard into corners the forks tend to walk. Another trick to getting the 2valves to handle is to put a very sticky tyre on the front and a harder compound on the rear and then power slide it around the corners. This works well for me
I am also an aussie. I am I Brisbane

Regards
Mick
Click to expand...

Hey Mick,

Welcome to here.

Dr.Shifty
 
Thank you for the welcome I was on the old gs list but I don't get back here that often

Mick
 
That piece of metal under the fender is a brace? I have only had 3 of the 4 bolts holding mine on since I bought it and I have a wobble every time I change lanes. I'll have to find another bolt...

Steve
 
srivett said:
That piece of metal under the fender is a brace? I have only had 3 of the 4 bolts holding mine on since I bought it and I have a wobble every time I change lanes. I'll have to find another bolt...

Steve
Click to expand...
IM NOT ANY GOOD AT TWISTIES BUT SOME OF THE BETTER RIDERS SAY THAT MOST GS BIKES WILL WOBBLE IN TURNS EVEN IF ALL THE BOLTS ARE THERE 8O 8O
 
They don't wobble the frame flexes. If you have a wobble when you change lanes I would make sure that your wheel bearings and swing arm bearings are ok and that everything is tightend up properly

Mick
 
It is a combination of frame flex, relatively skinny forks (bigger than many tho)and an old fashined (but big for its time) swingarm. It is only now they talk about "tuned flex"..GSs are just ahead of the game! GSs are still good for other than race track speeds
 
The really good thing about them is they let you know how hard you are pushing them before they let go. They don't just fall over like a lot of the newer bikes. They are still good at race speeds. I have found that a lot of the younger riders just don't know how to ride a bike that moves around on them

Mick
 
Fork Brace

Fork Brace

I purchased one for a Yamaha FZ off of eBay. They are beefy! Whereas the original was stamped 16th inch sheetmetal, the Fork Brace one is about an inch thick machined aluminum. I have yet to find out how well it works, as I can't get the damned thing to fit. It's just a hair too wide. I'll either hone it down or take apart the fork to get it in there one of these days.

I haven't purchased one for the Suzuki yet, as I plan to upgrade to a newer fork one day. Figure I'll wait till then to buy one.

My assumption is they help, or else why would they have started putting them on stock bikes, selling them aftermarket, etc. The question is how MUCH do they help?

Of course, you can argue that a wobbly front end and skinny tires make for a more entertaining ride. It takes skill to ride an old bike...anyone can ride today's bikes...just look at all the idiots out there on them!


Josh
 
Here's something for the mix: I had a '95 H***a VFR750FS :oops: ( I got over it...) and believe me, that bike handled
These bikes have no bracing on the forks whatsoever. Just a plastic mudguard, and this was standard. Also when I did a front end overhaul, I found the steering head bearings(balls by the way, not taper rollers) badly worn and the front wheel bearing on one side was knackered. The day before I had been taking bumpy corners at 120mph plus. Total stability.
On the other hand, when I fitted a brace to my GS1000 engined 7/11, there was a marked improvement when changing direction. Since then I have gone the whole hog and fitted GSXR forks and wheels to the 7/11 ('79 750 frame, 1085 engine) and ...hey presto!.. the damn thing handles like a demon!! I think the 41mm GSXR forks have much more built in rigidity, and also that there is a massive difference between cross plies and radials.
Also steering geometry, weight and the sprung/unsprung weight ratio will make a difference as to whether or not a fork brace makes some difference or none at all. The VFR obviously didn't need one. GS's need all the help they can get!
You'll be glad to know that I'm fully recovered and own 2 GS's now.
 
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