Thicker fork braces

[manofthefield]

Is anyone planning on making beefed up fork braces anytime soon?  I know Srinath used to make 'em....

I know these are available:

but...
1. I don't want something with that logo on it
2. I don't wanna pay that much for something shipped from the UK
3. I can probably paint/polish it myself and save some green

Definately something I wouldn't mind puttin on my bike, I'm sure others would be interested too

[Mandres]

What purpose would it serve?  I've never heard of anybody who has had a problem with the stock one. 

-M

[CirclesCenter]

  What purpose?

You know that little tin foil thin piece of metal over the fender bit? Yeah, that's what holds your forks together near the wheel. Take it off and look at it (or just look at it on the bike.) and think of the forces it sometimes undergoes... (Granted I wake up on Wed. and go "Trackday!" for my ride to work. Thursday for that matter too...)

Yeah I'm interested too.

Mandres, I can't say i've ever heard of problems either, but I don't trust the stock piece once you start beefing up other parts.

[Turd Ferguson]

Yes, many people have reported a very noticeable difference in handling with a thicker fork brace.

Is that supposed to be brass knuckles?  WTF?

-Turd.

[manofthefield]

Is that supposed to be brass knuckles?  WTF?

-Turd.

Yeah, its something like that... maybe one of the Brits can explain it

[Mandres]

Yes, many people have reported a very noticeable difference in handling with a thicker fork brace.

No kidding?  It just seems like the front axle is the main support for the forks.  I assumed the brace was just there to hold the fender on. 

[Alphamazing]

Yes, many people have reported a very noticeable difference in handling with a thicker fork brace.

No kidding?  It just seems like the front axle is the main support for the forks.  I assumed the brace was just there to hold the fender on. 

It is on our bike, but there are thicker ones on pretty much every sport bike out there. Extra reinforcement couldn't hurt.

manofthefield, You're an ME. Why not do it yourself? 

[werase643]

you can make one pretty easily and quickly using the stocker as a template....i could cut one out in about 30 min with hand tools...so could you
get a 4 1/2 grinder or dremel and do it in 15

[Anakist]

Is that supposed to be brass knuckles?  WTF?

-Turd.

Street fighter. Hence the crass knuckles.

James

And I am from Australia. Not the UK.

[sledge]

The part is made in the UK by this company.
http://www.chmartin-engineering.co.uk/sitemap.htm for the streetfighter boys hence the knucle-duster sysmbol. For the right person its not a difficult thing to make. Find a Local Engineering shop, take the picture and the old brace as a sample and ask them to make you something similar, offer to pay cash as it keeps the cost down. You could choose stainless-steel, aluminium or just ordinary mild-steel. You could have it plated, painted. polished or chromed. There are plenty of options, the only real issue is how much it will cost and what you are prepared to spend.

[denman]

i made mine out of 1/4in 6061 t6 alum.  i dont see any defernce in handling,but it looks cool.

[dgyver]

1/4" aluminum is too thin to do much more than the thin stock fender mount. For the first one I made, I used 1/4" aluminum but sandwiched it between 2 stock steel mounts. Now I use 1/2" 6061 aluminum and cut them with standard tools. They are not as shiney and pretty as a CNC part but then I can still afford a beer or three later.

[denman]

my brace was a left over weld plate from my welding test,and i heatreated it my self at work free is good.    and op beer is better.

[thirdman]

Why not just order a second stock brace and some longer mounting screws?  Sandwich 'em together and presto: your brace is twice as strong.  Bike Bandit has the stock brace for around $13.

[The Buddha]

I got a few left over - The problem is - none of these are drilled. Youd anyway have to oocate and drill the outer holes for the legs for the best effect. These will also take a hidden mount for the fender if you so choose.
Now if some one wanted all of them drilled - I can do that.
There is only like 3-4 left, so I am inclined to sell as is.
How is $35 and shipping. They used to be $40, but I forgot about these and hence ...
They are 1/2 inch thick 7075 series Actually 7475 but similar to 7075 - aka 15% chromium and super super hard alloy aluminum. Un weldable, but great for machining as per the enginnering specs on it. Hard and stiff and dont weld to your fork brace - yea like that's a problem.
Cool.
Srinath.

[manofthefield]

Why not just order a second stock brace and some longer mounting screws?  Sandwich 'em together and presto: your brace is twice as strong.  Bike Bandit has the stock brace for around $13.

I considered doing that, but they use such crappy steel that it rusts really fast (like the rest of the GS).  I removed the rust and repainted mine a year ago and it probably didn't take 6 months to start rusting again.  No something I really want to keep doing every year.



edit(srinath posted while I was typing): I may take you up on that Srinath, look for a PM

[onefastgs500]

fork braces cause stiction would use one if i wanted to improve suspension,legs are supposed to move independently

[The Buddha]

Not quite - hit the brakes and the front wheel will get yanked to the left since the right fork will get shoved forward.
Cool.
Srinath.

[dgyver]

If the fork tubes can move independently, then there is flexing in the axle or clamps. This would cause more friction in the sliding of the forks. There is not enough clamping surface to secure the axle on the GS without some movement. The fork brace reduces the flex stress applied at the axle.