Is Anyone using a Fork Brace??

[Anonymous]

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

[saaz]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Here's something for the mix: I had a '95 H***a VFR750FS ( 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.

[saaz]

I have run a solid fork brace on my GS1000 (78) for many years. It tightens up the front end very noticeably, particulalry if you run a full fairing, go two up or loaded with camping gear or on rough roads. I would not say it is a do or die modification, but it makes things more solid.

Remember, these bikes are 24 years old with worn front ends etc built as all round road bikes, not race replicas. The engines cases scrape if you are not careful, so this must mean something.....

[Anonymous]

One of the tricks used to be to brace the swing arm. Another trick was to replace the steel one with the one from a Katana or GSX1100.

I think I still have the info here for the bracing of both the steel and alloy swing arms. Let me know if you want it and I will try and find it and send it to you

Mick