What is the purpose

[cougar]

What is the purpose of a fork brace? I see a few people add them and was wondering what the gain of having them and what they do????

 

[gbw]

A fork brace is like Viagra for your motorcycle. It will make your forks stiffer :-\\\

 

[Big Rich]

Next time you're out by the bike and the fender isn't mounted, try this: stand up in front of the bike, facing the headlight, and squeeze the tire with your knees. Then grab the handlebars and twist - there's a VERY good chance you can move the bars further than the wheel can twist. And that's with, what, 80 pounds of pressure? Normal riding puts much more pressure on the front end so it can flex more.

A brace basically keeps the wheel true with the forks, and stabilizes the front end.

 

[Guest]

Next time you're out by the bike and the fender isn't mounted, try this: stand up in front of the bike, facing the headlight, and squeeze the tire with your knees. Then grab the handlebars and twist - there's a VERY good chance you can move the bars further than the wheel can twist. And that's with, what, 80 pounds of pressure? Normal riding puts much more pressure on the front end so it can flex more.

A brace basically keeps the wheel true with the forks, and stabilizes the front end.

Yes siree, that is pretty much spot on.

 

[Guest]

When I see a poorly-done 'caf? conversion', with no front fender or bracing, and it's described as a 'caf? racer', I grimace, for what's been 'created' is not a 'racer' of any kind. Just ignorant conceptions of what the genre is. When I lived in London 50+ years ago, and saw the steaming, smoking Nortons, etc, parked up, clip-ons and all, I thought it was SO cool, a REAL caf? racer. I favored the racer-replica concept for many years after that, and when the manufacturers actually started building stock replicas, both in performance and appearance, I felt vindicated in my admiration of the style and substance. Now, looking at some of these over-priced, badly done, fenderless, and unsafe owner-modified abortions, I just shake my head in depressed wonder.

 

[cougar]

Thanks for the replies now all I need to know is where do I get one to suit a GS1000E ????

 

[hampshirehog]

Thanks for the replies now all I need to know is where do I get one to suit a GS1000E ????

Copy of a Micron (no longer made and the best ones):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fork-Brac...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3cd6b87ade

 

[tkent02]

Now, looking at some of these over-priced, badly done, fenderless, and unsafe owner-modified abortions,

Well that's all fine and dandy, most are made from Ls anyway so no loss, but why on earth would they even call it a cafe racer? Bobber, chopper, sure but a racer? Flimsy forks, cheap old school tire designs, clapped out stock suspension or better yet none at all, often no front brake, stupid looking artsy fartsy crap everywhere does not any kind of a racer make.

 

[jeffasaurus2]

Why not build a bike with the performance upgrades you're interested in and allow function to create form? I seem to find myself admiring cars and bikes alike with purpose driven parts rather than aesthetic qualities.

 

[Guest]

Well that's all fine and dandy, most are made from Ls anyway so no loss, but why on earth would they even call it a cafe racer? Bobber, chopper, sure but a racer? Flimsy forks, cheap old school tire designs, clapped out stock suspension or better yet none at all, often no front brake, stupid looking artsy fartsy crap everywhere does not any kind of a racer make.

The first sentence in my 'screed' said basically the same thing:-\\\

 

[tkent02]

Why not build a bike with the performance upgrades you're interested in and allow function to create form?

That used to be what a cafe racer was until it became the latest style.

 

[850 Combat]

Try here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...geo_id=10232&keyword=gs1000+fork+brace&crdt=0

 

[postman_pat]

Thanks for the replies now all I need to know is where do I get one to suit a GS1000E ????

You could try here.

http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

[GSXR7ED]

Replies

Replies

Next time you're out by the bike and the fender isn't mounted, try this: stand up in front of the bike, facing the headlight, and squeeze the tire with your knees. Then grab the handlebars and twist - there's a VERY good chance you can move the bars further than the wheel can twist. And that's with, what, 80 pounds of pressure? Normal riding puts much more pressure on the front end so it can flex more.

A brace basically keeps the wheel true with the forks, and stabilizes the front end.

Yes siree, that is pretty much spot on.

Bill, you also described it as the forks NOT having any support between the front axle and the triple tree (where the dust cover are/fender being the only brace)

You could try here.

http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/StoreFront

Fastfromthepast is where I bought my Tarozzi Fork brace ($99) + shipping. You'll need measurements so get that measuring caliper. As a matter of fact, here's a pic after install:


http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=216696&page=6

I feel much more confident in the ride at higher speeds. Changing the fork oil to 30W also helped.



Ed

 

[cougar]

You could try here.

http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/StoreFront

Went there and got confused as I thought all 1000's were the same size forks. they have four listings for the gs1000 and all part numbers are different but no sizes to check with.

 

[GSXR7ED]

I believe my "T's" measurements were:

117 mm from center to center of forks
58 mm diameter from thickest portion where dust boots cover forks

Mine shares the same forks with an 1100, I believe.

I'd call them...or give me your bike's measurements and I'll find out for you.


Ed

 

[Grimly]

Thanks for the replies now all I need to know is where do I get one to suit a GS1000E ????

You can pay through the nose for an aftermarket brace, or look for a GSX1100EZ fender with a big hefty brace built-in. A substantial bit of bent steel, you won't need a brace on top of that.
I've seen a couple offered by breakers here, and the price is around the ?35 / $50 mark.

 

[posplayr]

A fork brace is like Viagra for your motorcycle. It will make your forks stiffer :-\\\

And you with more testosterone filled confidence.

 

[bagpipes]

I know the advantage to the brace but for my stock 1100G does the stock front fender serve the same/similar purpose even if it shortened? I've never like the look of the large front fender and planned to shorten a spare that I have just to change up the look over the winter. My guess is that it should still serve the same purpose since I have no play in the front end while doing what was outline in the second reply to this thread.

Thanks for reading. I scroll through this site like I'm re-discovering school again. "every day has a lesson to be learned"

 

[Samikoo]

Went there and got confused as I thought all 1000's were the same size forks. they have four listings for the gs1000 and all part numbers are different but no sizes to check with.

On the bottom of the Fork Braces page you'll find this link http://www.fastfromthepast.com/PDF/fork_brace_dimensions.pdf .