Fork brace!?

[maro]

You should read over the instructions, but when I installed my GSXR one, I left all bolts in the triple, forks, brace, and fender loose.

I went in the following order : Push the forks up all the way to insure there is no binding inbetween each step(springs out):

1.) make sure to tighten the steering stem nut.

2.) tightened the F wheel axle and made sure that the heights of the stantions into the fork tubes are equal (note if this does not check make sure your axle spacers are clean and have no nicks).

3.) Tighten the triple clamp bolts

4.) Tighten the fork bace and fender bolts

it was pretty straight forkward just making sure everything was aligning straight as it tightened up.

I dont think the installation directions are this detailed so anybody want to take a swack at my proceedure go ahead.

You can visualize the forks forming a structural load box which extends across the top triple down the two fork legs and through the wheel axle. The lower triple and the fork brace serve are cross braces to this box. Tightening the axle and then the upper triple establishes the box. The cross braces are then tightened (upper triple and theh brace itself)


The reason I started at the axle is that even if you have your forks nice an smooth going into the forks, if the wheel axle cause the whole thing to tweak over it will bind. Fortunately my axle tightened with the stantions as identical as I could eye ball them in the triple.

POS, thanks so much for the details. As always, you knowledge very appreciated! Can you check out the link to the tarozzi instructions. They seem to be much simpler than your installation descriptions. Is there something I am missing?

Yes, they do. The brace on my bike is the Daytona (version-2, with the additional top bolts) pictured there, that I had powder coated black. Basically, you are looking to add rigidity with the brace to prevent flex, but not tighten it up to the point that it compresses the legs, and prevents the tubes from telescoping freely......you could also measure the precise distance between the fork tubes just above the brace location before & after installation, and ensure that it remains the same.

thanks for this link!!

[TooManyToys]

I've got an age appropriate fork article from my GS1100E folder, but it's mB so I can't post it here. It just covers the same things as POS did.

[posplayr]

POS, thanks so much for the details. As always, you knowledge very appreciated! Can you check out the link to the tarozzi instructions. They seem to be much simpler than your installation descriptions. Is there something I am missing?



thanks for this link!!

I looked at the link, it basically says to keep moving the the fork up and down as you tighten things up.

I did not have any directions so just went through the thought process of what needed to be done first. That is really the axle. Of course if something is really bent you will likely have problems one way or another so it is best to go set by setp making sure as one thing is tightened it doesnt cause a bind. Fork brace included.

[Don-lo]

26 years on my Telefix with no problems. I still recall vividly the day I installed it. Everyday at work, I had to drive across a parking lot that had a small 1/2" curb cutting 45 degrees across. I did not realize that the front end was deflecting on that curb until I rode across with the Telefix and it did not deflect at all! The brace also removed a vagueness in the front end, but that change was not as dramatic.

[TooManyToys]

Agreed, I though it was an strong handling improvement.

I wish I could find my missing 1100E folder as I believe there was an article in there about adding specifically to it.

[posplayr]

if you even have a chance to pickup and examine some USD forks you will start immediately wondering what you can to stiffen up a set of RSU 35/37mm GS OE forks.

wont turn the OE's into 41mm USD but it will help.

[mapball]

I have the tarozzi fork brace, installed it 2 days ago and finally took it for a spin last night. BTW, The instructions were very good. Methodical, well written, and a really good pictures but they did not get in depth about loosening the triple clamps, front end off the ground etc etc.. So, i didnt do any of that but I think it makes sense and will follow the advice given here...

anyways, last night i didnt push it too hard because it was dark, but i did take it through some twisties and I felt an immediate difference! (It made me wonder why everyone does not have one, i guess to each his own!) What I noticed was greater response and rider feel of the road. The bike felt much more predictable and thus was easier to pilot through a turn, which to me is the essence to being fast on a road or a track. My early theory is that both fork tubes are sort of forced to work together in how they respond to a given road condition, so they behave more simliarly to one another resulting in less variable reaction and vibration. Secondly they are locked to one another minimizing their flex in relation to each other. So one cant be moving forward while the other moving back, or up down, left right etc. etc. All this resulting in a better, more stable and consistent tire contact patch to the road.

Ride quality? Certainly the bike is more responsive, and i saw it in how the light from my headlamp was reacting to the road, so it is stiffer, but it doesnt vibrate unnecessarily as much as it used to. One interesting observation is that I have a loose brake handle that would vibrate when i accelerated hard. after install of the fork brace, it is gone!

Anyhow, i cant wait to do more testing. The great thing about a fork brace is that you can go back to stock in a matter of 5 minutes! Perfect for back and forth comparisons.

Finally i want to say that the Tarazzi brace was very well designed. It fit perfectly above my front fender and it comes with high quality allen bolts. It works with the stock boot covers and it looks awesome. Stylistically I love mods that make a statement of performance but dont scream for attention. This fork brace accomplishes that perfectly. I highly recommend it for any performance oriented GSer.

[maro]

Thanks for the great review. Can't wait till mine arrive!!

I have the tarozzi fork brace, installed it 2 days ago and finally took it for a spin last night. BTW, The instructions were very good. Methodical, well written, and a really good pictures but they did not get in depth about loosening the triple clamps, front end off the ground etc etc.. So, i didnt do any of that but I think it makes sense and will follow the advice given here...

anyways, last night i didnt push it too hard because it was dark, but i did take it through some twisties and I felt an immediate difference! (It made me wonder why everyone does not have one, i guess to each his own!) What I noticed was greater response and rider feel of the road. The bike felt much more predictable and thus was easier to pilot through a turn, which to me is the essence to being fast on a road or a track. My early theory is that both fork tubes are sort of forced to work together in how they respond to a given road condition, so they behave more simliarly to one another resulting in less variable reaction and vibration. Secondly they are locked to one another minimizing their flex in relation to each other. So one cant be moving forward while the other moving back, or up down, left right etc. etc. All this resulting in a better, more stable and consistent tire contact patch to the road.

Ride quality? Certainly the bike is more responsive, and i saw it in how the light from my headlamp was reacting to the road, so it is stiffer, but it doesnt vibrate unnecessarily as much as it used to. One interesting observation is that I have a loose brake handle that would vibrate when i accelerated hard. after install of the fork brace, it is gone!

Anyhow, i cant wait to do more testing. The great thing about a fork brace is that you can go back to stock in a matter of 5 minutes! Perfect for back and forth comparisons.

Finally i want to say that the Tarazzi brace was very well designed. It fit perfectly above my front fender and it comes with high quality allen bolts. It works with the stock boot covers and it looks awesome. Stylistically I love mods that make a statement of performance but dont scream for attention. This fork brace accomplishes that perfectly. I highly recommend it for any performance oriented GSer.

[posplayr]

these are nice braces as well

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1252203#post1252203

[maro]

Well my tarozzi just arrived. I'll be installing it after work today... review to come.

thanks for all the great info on this subject...

and

fast for the past delivered the brace.......fast.



Well, It went on with ease. Followed the directions to the "T". I have definitely noticed a difference and the bike handling far better and more stable on the front for sure. For 100 bucks I can't believe I waited this long for this mod.

thanks again