What does the fork brace actually do?

[BaltimoreGS]

I know the short answer is it stiffens the fork but here's what I really want to know:  Does the GS have a fork brace because the forks are weak or because the triple clamp is weak.  I'm looking at sliding a CBR F1 front end which does not have any sort of fork brace into a stock GS triple clamp and want to make sure I won't be having any flexing issues or triple clamp failures.  Thanks for the help!

-Jessie

[Gisser]

Because the GS has a single disc brake.  Tying the fork sliders together helps reduce torque steer under braking. 

Bear in mind, often times the fork brace is build into the fender. 

[Mauricio]

Because the GS has a single disc brake.  Tying the fork sliders together helps reduce torque steer under braking. 

Bear in mind, often times the fork brace is build into the fender. 

That's some brake you got on your 500 that you can feel torque steer. On my fi-hunnert what I feel most is the front diving... 

On older bikes a fork brace really helps because the fork legs used to be so spindly and bendy. I adapted one SV650 caliper to my GS450, and when you really nail it you can feel the stiction on the one fork leg with the caliper attached. I guess it is all relative... when your frame of reference is calibrated around a GS450, you ride a 500 and the feeling of togetherness and stiffness is just dandy.

[The Buddha]

The bike will with out the brace pull when braking ... usually to the left.
Brace reduces that. Thicker brace reduced it further.
Buddha sell braces for 40 bucks shipped with all bolts in stainless included for putting it on.
Cool.
Buddha.

[tt_four]

I don't think it takes a terribly strong brake to feel it. My wifes moped with an awful drum brake with pull the bike to the left in a pretty unsafe manner if you grab the brake too hard. Makes no sense considering the drum is inside the hub, and not actually on the left side of the bike. It helps some if I tighten up the triples as much as I can, but it still does it.

Are the F1 front ends 37mm as well? My clipons came from an old bike with 37mm forks, maybe that's what they're from!

[BaltimoreGS]

Yea, the F1 is 37mm.  I guess since it has dual front rotors pull won't be an issue.  Thanks guys!

-Jessie

[The Buddha]

In fact the Fonda F 1/2/3 gets by without a brace at all. Some design feature they have, maybe a beefy triple set. And yea the dual disk helps too maybe.

BTW on a savage you do notice it though not as severe as a GS, but my chopper with 43mm legs and beefier triple clamps not 1 bit.

Anyway a katana FE on a GS and you wont need it, not only is it twin disk its also a lighter bike than the forks were built for.

Cool.
Buddha.

[gregvhen]

"What does the fork brace actually do?"

Keeps your brains in your head instead of on the road where a motorcyclist could easily loose traction in them and crash.

[galahs]

I got a nice thick billet fork brace on mine and when I added it to my gs after upgrading the front springs the front end tracks more confidently on rough roads.