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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: 500rider on October 19, 2004, 09:56:59 AM

Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 500rider on October 19, 2004, 09:56:59 AM
I searched the forum and didn't find this already discussed.  Does anyone use a fork brace?  Does it make any difference or only on race day?
Title: Race...
Post by: The Buddha on October 19, 2004, 09:59:14 AM
I have 1 last one for sale, made out of thick ass 6061 aluminum 1/2 inch thick, $40... and no idea of race... but on the street huge difference.
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: skrap1r0n on October 19, 2004, 10:49:27 AM
What is a fork braced used for? Sorry I know its a stupid question, but what purpose does it serve?
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: pixelmonkey on October 19, 2004, 11:18:38 AM
a fork brace supports the forks so they stay stable. *compressing and rebounding at the same time*

the stock brace is thin and is commonly known the crack at the bolt hole location, thus giving a *loose* or unsteady feel to the front-end.

here is a photo (http://www.pbase.com/aplitz/image/32025214)


ridgid is good!
chris<pixelmonkey>:D
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: seamax on October 19, 2004, 11:27:15 AM
Srinath, if 500rider does not take it, I'll take it off your hands. Do you have a pic?
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: aplitz on October 19, 2004, 11:51:09 AM
I had a sweet one off machined aluminum brace on my GS that I just sold.  I bought the brace from a racer who was parting the bike, and I feel that it made a huge difference in the bike's front feel and response.  Highly reccomended.

Aaron
Title: Like...
Post by: The Buddha on October 19, 2004, 12:16:18 PM
Quote from: seamaxSrinath, if 500rider does not take it, I'll take it off your hands. Do you have a pic?

Its like the stock one but has 1/2 inch thick aluminum... wait a sec... someone put pics up... that nicebelair guy... look for that... and BTW Mine are pre polishing... he seems to have put in some elbow grease... bling bling...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: BTW...
Post by: The Buddha on October 19, 2004, 12:22:34 PM
BTW 500rider hasn't responded... its $40 and shipping.. damn seamax we could have combined all the stuff we sent back and forth into 1 big ass lot and saved ourselves (well yourself) a bunch of $$$ and time. You want carbon/titanium exhaust, I guess everything else you dont need. I also have been working on 1 idea at a time, cant handle 10 different things...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: seamax on October 19, 2004, 01:56:59 PM
Srinath, no I won't need the CF exhaust because my undertail one is coming.  :lol:

Hey I still owe you for the rejet. Do you want to do a trade for the price of rejet and the brace for two front fenders. Both are in excellent paint condition. One is maroon/burgundy with a little warpage on the back due to the exhaust and the otehr is red without warpage. I don't know the market price for these so we can work out a straight trade or trade plus $.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: skrap1r0n on October 19, 2004, 02:00:57 PM
What undertail exhaust are you getting? Is there any signigicant mods (besides new headers, I mean to make the new headers fit.) required to install one?
Title: fenders...
Post by: The Buddha on October 19, 2004, 02:13:04 PM
Quote from: seamaxSrinath, no I won't need the CF exhaust because my undertail one is coming.  :lol:

Hey I still owe you for the rejet. Do you want to do a trade for the price of rejet and the brace for two front fenders. Both are in excellent paint condition. One is maroon/burgundy with a little warpage on the back due to the exhaust and the otehr is red without warpage. I don't know the market price for these so we can work out a straight trade or trade plus $.

Well I dont need fenders ... I traded with gooseygoose. The 1 red one I get from him should complete the bike, I need whole sets, not just some parts. Anyway, yea I said 25 for carbs and ~$9 for shipping right, and 40 for these and shipping, ~$7 or so I guess, so make it 80 bucks...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 500rider on October 19, 2004, 07:50:23 PM
Quote from: seamaxSrinath, if 500rider does not take it, I'll take it off your hands. Do you have a pic?

Thanks for your consideration seamax.  I don't have any dibs on this so please go ahead.  My question was for from a technical standpoint if a fork brace makes any diff.  

Looks like there is some merit to them.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: Mk1inCali on October 19, 2004, 10:17:41 PM
To the original question, yes they do make a difference, I know because I've got a stock steel brace on my '00 with Progressive springs/15wt oil, and I rode aplitz/Daniely's bike with his aluminum brace/stock springs/needing oil, and it felt much more direct and stable.

I'm going to put daniely's spare stock brace on top of my stock brace, stack them up, and compare with the machined alum. brace on daniely's bike.  I'll try that here soon and report back with what I find.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 500rider on October 20, 2004, 04:48:21 AM
Quote from: Mk1inCali
I'm going to put daniely's spare stock brace on top of my stock brace, stack them up, and compare with the machined alum. brace on daniely's bike.  I'll try that here soon and report back with what I find.

Cool, thanks!  I noticed a huge difference in the bike with the progressive springs.  If a similar leap in handling can be made with a brace then it is $$$ well spent.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: Mk1inCali on October 20, 2004, 02:05:43 PM
I'm going to get Daniely to give me his stock brace tonight, and I'll go for a quick ride and report back here.  If I can tell a difference, I'm gonna buy a chunk of aluminum and put my dremel to good use on that baby.  I'll let Danny know about this thread, and maybe he can trace out his piece and we can put it up here.
Title: Saw...
Post by: The Buddha on October 20, 2004, 02:17:36 PM
Dremel... 1/2 inch aluminum... you will go through most of your local hardware stores inventory of blades brfore you get anything that resembles a brace... I have tried hole saws... and it also chews up the metal before it gets even 1/2 way through. My only cheap ass tool which might work is a jig saw... Never tried it but I might ... I do have a hunk of aluminum lying about...
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: Kerry on October 20, 2004, 02:45:17 PM
Wow - does it really need to be 1/2" thick?  Would 1/4" or 3/8" thick aluminum provide a significant improvement over the ~1/8" stock plate?

As for tools, how about a drill press for the holes and a 12" sanding disk for shaping/smoothing the outer edge?  (See the pictures in THIS post (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=70951#70951).)  My drill press is nothing fancy - just an 8" Delta benchtop jobbie.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: Daniely on October 20, 2004, 03:09:03 PM
When i get home tonight from class ill trace out my pattern and measure the thickness and post it back up on here. If Tony and i go ride tonight ill get a pic of the brace also.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: aplitz on October 20, 2004, 03:50:23 PM
Dan-

There is a pic of it on my page:

//www.pbase.com/aplitz

To get measurements you will have to pull the front wheel and remove the fender.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: bcutrufelli on October 20, 2004, 04:08:01 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10534&item=7928448513&rd=1

related and cool also http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10534&item=7928069503&rd=1
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 500rider on October 20, 2004, 04:17:39 PM
Quote from: DanielyWhen i get home tonight from class ill trace out my pattern and measure the thickness and post it back up on here. If Tony and i go ride tonight ill get a pic of the brace also.

I have an AutoCad drawing of the stock brace from my Kat and I think its the same as the GS.  If anyone wants it I can e-mail it.  I could eventually add some dimensions to it and post a jpeg.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 70 Cam Guy on October 20, 2004, 04:40:21 PM
Quote from: aplitzDan-

There is a pic of it on my page:

//www.pbase.com/aplitz

To get measurements you will have to pull the front wheel and remove the fender.

[thread hijack] Cool Brick racer!  The 242's are cool cars in modified form.  My buddy had a 240 GL with the IPD sway bars, chassis braces, and turbo wheels.  Those things RAIL with only minor suspension mods.  It wasn't a turbo though so it a bit of a slug :mrgreen: [/thread hijack]
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: bcutrufelli on October 20, 2004, 08:04:14 PM
can i see the autocad drawing?
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: 500rider on October 21, 2004, 06:49:39 PM
Quote from: bcutrufellican i see the autocad drawing?

sure.  if you have autocad then I will just send you the dwg file.  IF you don't then I can add some dimensions and make a jpeg.  let me know.  pm me with your requirements and e-mail address.
Title: Make more...
Post by: The Buddha on October 21, 2004, 07:35:25 PM
OK guys ... I can make more... or you just want the drawing. If I can get some numbers up costs will go down... like I have screamed my head off before... 10 and expect a 10% drop, 20 and say ~15%, 50 and maybe closer to 18-20%.... Ofcourse it wont go on indefinetely... like order 500 and they are all free  :lol:  ...  Numbers are everything. Heck I'll prolly order it and pick it up and ship it all in 1 trip, and not spend all my time making a UPS run  :x  .
Cool.
Srinath.
Title: Any opinions on fork braces - racers?
Post by: EazyAsOne23 on October 21, 2004, 08:19:53 PM
ill buy one :-D