Fork Braces..Good Upgrade or Stupid Idea??? What's the Scoop

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

On my 82 GS850, I'm about to install Progressive front fork springs and Progressive series 412 shocks with heavy duty springs. I'm about 250 lbs.

They are due here Wednesday.

What's the scoop on aftermarket fork braces?????

Good Upgrade????......Stupid Idea???.....

My riding is about 65% back country roads with twisties, 35% around town and 5% interstate highways.

Help me out, I don't know squat about the subject.

[SqDancerLynn1]

It keeps the forks from flexing, Good idea if you like the twisties, Yes I have one on my GS850 too! If you have the front end apart? have you checked the steering stem bearings?

[Anonymous]

I have not started yet......my plan was to NOT tear the whole front end down as that may be more that I can handle at this point in my GS mechanics curve. I was planning to replace the springs from the top (after multiple flushes to clean out the tubes).

Regarding the head bearings, I can not feel any noticable stiffness or stickiness anywhere along the turning arc. Either while riding OR with the front wheel off the ground. I have also had a 25+ year mechanic look at it and he felt like they seemed fine to him as well.

For those who haven't heard me say it before.....I'm getting back in after 18 years without a bike. And my last one was a GT-380, almost exactly 200lbs lighter.

So I want every REASONABLE suspension upgrade I can get to keep my @ss out of trouble in the turns.

[jimcor]

I bought one for my Concours. Cost about 90 bucks. Money well spent. Where the older Connie bikes need help is in the high speed stability area and the fork brace does the trick. The one I bought was made by a COG member and could double as a brace for bridge.

[bwringer]

Glad to see you're getting new legs on the old girl.

As you may know from our previous correspondence, I ride like a bat outta H-E double-hockey-sticks. :twisted:

I do not yet have a fork brace on my GS850G, mainly because I've always had too many other uses for the $100. I haven't seen any odd tire wear, high speed instability, or anything attributable to fork misalignment. By the time I'm riding hard enough to get much fork flex, a lot of other things are flexing, too, and I start to go into the light, and Jesus and Grandma welcome me to the pearly gates...

Um, anyway, the fork works well enough without the brace. As good as it gets for an early '80s bike.

If you can comfortably part with the money now, then a fork brace would be good to have. The people who have them seem quite satisfied. If you want to wait and see what it's like with all the new suspendage and then add the brace later, that's a good plan, too.

One factor that might tip the scales is if you plan to add a fairing and/or carry a passenger a lot of the time. In those cases, I would make the fork brace a priority because of the extra weight placed on the fork. If the bike doesn't have stainless stell brake lines already, I would make them a priority over a fork brace.

If you don't like the brace, you could always send it to me for, um, "testing"!

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you could post your impressions of the Progressive Suspension stuff when you've got that installed. I've done the fork springs, but not the rear. I want the heavy springs, too. PS's website recommends them at my weight/accessories, and the stock parts are a little overwhelmed anytime I give an adult a ride.

[Anonymous]

Hey BW,

Thanks in large part to the encouragement in your previous private emails I decided to go "whole hog" and do both fronts and rears at the same time. That's what made me think about fork braces....Thanks again.

Yup..SS Lines been done (fronts only).....feels MUCH more solid. And they give me great peace of mind that I can stand on em if I need to.

To Diet,

Email BW he did the "whole hog" with HD shock springs already.....he can give you a good update. Real helpful dude.

BTW....I searched the web pretty hard....I got BOTH my Front springs and series 412 rear shocks with HD coils from BIKE BANDIT for $304...DELIVERED

[Anonymous]

I think waiting until you ride the bike after the suspension mods is good advice. I have Progressive's springs up front and Fox Street Shox (gas charged with heavier springs) in back on my 850. My bike rides like a sport bike with the comfort of a tourer. I've never felt the need for a fork brace. 8)

[sharpy]

fork brace

Why fit a brace when it will wobble some place else. At least you know when you are getting to the bike's limit?

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen any odd tire wear, high speed instability, or anything attributable to fork misalignment

You may think things are fine, but a good brace will still make a surprising difference. I fitted one to my 86 GSXR750 and was amazed at the difference in feel and precision. Prior to installing the brace, I would have said the front end was fine and did not need improving. If you think you might need a brace, then you definitely do. 8)

Mark

[KGB]

I put Progressive suspension, front and rear on my S model a year or so ago.
I forget the model of rear shocks, but I got 170/210 springs in the rear.
I'm a pretty big person, 6-1, about 270. Ok I am big.......but I ride hard.

Anyway I can run the rears on the lowest setting, no problems.
Put my wife on the back, up one click. The works great, no leaks no noises, nothing, just firm suspension. No soft or plush
The fronts are wonderful with 15 weight oil, not 10 weight.
I run MAYBE 5lbs in the forks. Usually none.
I do have a fork brace on it. Old style that clamps down over the fender.
The bicth was putting it on and tightening it evenly.
Otherwise she handles like a dream.

I have an old style "loop" fork brace I haven't used. Think BMW fork brace.

Make me an offer if you want it, say $25 plus shipping?

[oldschoolGS]

If you ride hard- hard cornering and braking -then you will probably benefit from a brace. It will make the front end feel more rigid-but again something you will probably only notice when riding at a pretty fast clip. If you just sport tour and do not ride aggressive, spend the money somewhere else. Tire type is a good indication of this- are you running sticky premium rubber or hard compound high mileage tires? If you answer no to the first option, don't worry about a brace. Good Luck, Ed.
1983 GS750ED
2001 TL1000S (sold)

[fastpakr]

Interesting, I didn't realize the brace I removed from mine wasn't a stock piece. Guess I don't need to think about buying one!

[Anonymous]

Thanks ED,

Actually I may be barking up the wrong tree (regarding a brace) so to speak.

I do not ride aggressively in the corners. Actually after 18 years away from riding I don't have a high level of confidence in my skills so I am just looking to give myself every edge to keep from becoming a cager's hood ornament.

I run Dunlop 491 Elite II's front and rear. They came with the bike and are virtually brand new. I have no clue whether they are good tires or not.

If anyone knows I'd be glad to hear>

[KGB]

Dunlops good tire, 491 good tire.

I run the GT501 model tire on my S.
Little more aggresive tread pattern, less grooves, more rubber.