Hey guys,
I'm having my machinist make a fork brace and was wondering if anybody else was interested. Nothing too crazy just a thicker version of the original.
It will be 3/8" aluminum 6061 T6.
3/8" is about 4x thicker than the original. 6061 is as strong as the cheap steel they (most likely) used for the original, so 4x the thickness should greatly improve rigidity.
I believe there is also some 1/4" stock if anyone is interested. It should be cheaper and your stock screws will work with it.
Let me know so I can run the pieces in one shot while the machine is setup and get a price :D
UPDATE 7/13/11
looks like the price will be $30 shipped for 3/8" thickness. I am going to pick up longer stainless screws so if anybody needs them I can throw them in for $3 (4x fender screw & 4x fork screw).
UPDATE 7/25/11
interests so far
xunedeinx
stafebak
justinmc84
tialloydragon
mass-hole
steezin_and_wheezin
joneruss
ramennoodles
franke3c
aussie-gs
CarlosMendoza
DeeJRedE
lanesplitter
JAM614
UPDATE 8/8/11
They're here! Good looking and functional lol. Fits up like oem with the longer screws. No alignment issues at all.
The people in the above list will receive a message regarding payment.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/1.jpg)
UPDATE 12/1/11
ok, here goes batch 2. My machinist has the order and it is in queue for the next available slot.
It will be 35$ shipped in the continental US with stainless steel screws included (all same as above). Please send payment as a gift so as to avoid surcharges :D (I can only ask nicely so its up to you really).
Here is the short list of interests so far.
crzydood17
gs500e
dread_au
surferdave
cobalta70
Slack
Gibo
Tombstones81
BrianKD
Kms254
Jack Hass
UPDATE 12/12/11
Picked these guys up today. Aren't they beautiful.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/IMG_20111212_175239.jpg)
id be interested
Depending on the price, I'd be down.
This is the piece of metal between the forks that rests between the fender? I'd be interested, mine's got surface rust and I have no idea how to get rid of it.
I am sorry, you are correct, what was I thinking.
@chuck81 i think it's a little rude for you to intrude on my thread. can you or a mod move/delete your post.
updated original post with tentative price and details.
hey gs'ers. so i would like to get started soon on this but in order for it to be economical i will need a certain amount of orders. a good start would be like 10 pcs for my machinist's time etc.
sorry i don't have pictures but it will be the same as the original but with 3/8 thick aluminum.
so what say you fellow gs'ers?
Quote from: reload on July 14, 2011, 07:15:30 AM
hey gs'ers. so i would like to get started soon on this but in order for it to be economical i will need a certain amount of orders. a good start would be like 10 pcs for my machinist's time etc.
sorry i don't have pictures but it will be the same as the original but with 3/8 thick aluminum.
so what say you fellow gs'ers?
30 shipped, I'm in.
I'll take one.
I'm gonna try to scrub my surface rust off mine this week and once I figure that out I'll let you know if I'm in.
cool. i'll leave this open for a week or so and see if we can get enough people to make it worth while for everyone.
Quote from: reload on July 18, 2011, 06:08:29 AM
cool. i'll leave this open for a week or so and see if we can get enough people to make it worth while for everyone.
Um, you did know Buddha has fork braces available, right?
Michael
I am in!
Also I heard buddha no longer has any
count me in as well!
Count me in, too.
will you have pictures up of the finished product?
cool stuff, this may work out sooner than i thought. thanks guys!
it will be hard to do a pic since it's not worth it for my machinist to run just one piece but i will definitely post pics once we do all the pieces.
Quote from: mister on July 18, 2011, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: reload on July 18, 2011, 06:08:29 AM
cool. i'll leave this open for a week or so and see if we can get enough people to make it worth while for everyone.
Um, you did know Buddha has fork braces available, right?
Michael
Nope not any more - round ignition covers yes, pay up suckas and ... last few on those as well. Fork braces yea reload is your best bet now.
I love it when people ask for pics ... you'd think they've never seen a fork brace ... which if that is the case, never mind the pics, get one now cos it is needed to keep the thing from wiggling all over the place.
I dont have the time to run after the machinists and the material and what not, I did all that in 09 when I was unemployed, in 2010 when I was unemployed I made the west coast run, and in 11 so far have had a job, so its rather slim pickings. These things take a lot more time and $ and work than any one ever imagines. Crap goes awol, machinists die (my stem guy did) they leave em in the dirt and it gets rained on, bolts dont show up for the things ... 100 things to go wrong, and most of them do.
BTW I dont know if reload is doing bolts too, but you need 3/4 inch or so for a 3/8th thick brace, and much longer like 1 inch will dig into the fender, else I'd unload my crop of bolts on you guys. But they all 1" ...
Cool.
Buddha.
yeh thanks buddha, i was planning to get the bolts too since i'll be needing them anyway and its not worth it to buy single bolts. a couple bucks extra is what i will ask for them.
I'll take one
Quote from: The Buddha on July 20, 2011, 06:56:06 AM
Quote from: mister on July 18, 2011, 11:57:34 AM
Quote from: reload on July 18, 2011, 06:08:29 AM
cool. i'll leave this open for a week or so and see if we can get enough people to make it worth while for everyone.
Um, you did know Buddha has fork braces available, right?
Michael
Nope not any more - round ignition covers yes, pay up suckas and ... last few on those as well. Fork braces yea reload is your best bet now.
I love it when people ask for pics ... you'd think they've never seen a fork brace ... which if that is the case, never mind the pics, get one now cos it is needed to keep the thing from wiggling all over the place.
I dont have the time to run after the machinists and the material and what not, I did all that in 09 when I was unemployed, in 2010 when I was unemployed I made the west coast run, and in 11 so far have had a job, so its rather slim pickings. These things take a lot more time and $ and work than any one ever imagines. Crap goes awol, machinists die (my stem guy did) they leave em in the dirt and it gets rained on, bolts dont show up for the things ... 100 things to go wrong, and most of them do.
BTW I dont know if reload is doing bolts too, but you need 3/4 inch or so for a 3/8th thick brace, and much longer like 1 inch will dig into the fender, else I'd unload my crop of bolts on you guys. But they all 1" ...
Cool.
Buddha.
First off I have to say to Reload - I
really really really appreciate you doing the fork brace, I've been meaning to buy one... and this looks to be a good opportunity.
Buddha - Isn't it common place to ask for pics when buying things online? I know what the fork brace looks like... I wasn't asking to literally "see" what the finished product looked like....
Honestly, as you stated there can be a 100s things that can possible go wrong. I am always cautions when purchasing items online... But what if that one thing went wrong with this fork brace.... If you made a batch of 30, didn't prototype, didn't test fit a single one and if one is bad there's a good chance they're all bad, TQM. you're going to be in over your head ... granted these are fork braces and it should be easily reproduced...
Reload - I don't mean to knock you, just putting a suggestion out there... it might help to prototype at least one.. just in case.
Is your machinist really that trustworthy? If so, then I apologize...ignore everything I wrote.
P.S. count me in for one....
sure i understand completely. i also see what my machinist is saying when it doesn't pay for him to waste time to run one and possibly hold up the cnc. if they don't come out right on the first run then too bad for him cause he will have to correct it.
i will certainly test them out before i send them out or anything.
i'll speak with the machinists this weekend and maybe get everything moving by early next week hopefully. sound good to everyone?
How do you get pics of stuff that is yet to be made ? especially when he's asking for pre orders.
Besides I see pic requests for everything.
Wheels, tars, cables, carbs ... before and after jetting please ... WTF not kidding, I have been asked that.
Reload: pre orders you need to get pre paid, else you'd get stuck with 1/2 the number. I'd also do an extra $5 or whatever you deem fit for ones that are not paid in advance.
Cool.
Buddha.
good idea buddha. hopefully the good folk gs gstwins will be easy to work with :D
I used to pretty much spend all the $ in pre orderes to make stuff. I usually have maybe 10-20% more, say I got 40 bucks X 100 (just random numbers) I'd buy material and labor for the 4K say that is 110 pieces. That would leave me @ 0 except I'd have 10 more, I sell those for 45 and that is my profit.
Something like that.
Cool.
buddha.
Quote from: The Buddha on July 21, 2011, 07:23:32 AM
How do you get pics of stuff that is yet to be made ? especially when he's asking for pre orders.
Besides I see pic requests for everything.
Wheels, tars, cables, carbs ... before and after jetting please ... WTF not kidding, I have been asked that.
LOL Before and after jetting....
This is a more grass-roots group buy... so I suppose the additional risk is there and will have to be dealt with.
Reload - I'm in for one, but where do we send money paypal?
Would you send one to aust?
Quote from: franke3c on July 21, 2011, 07:19:44 PM
Quote from: The Buddha on July 21, 2011, 07:23:32 AM
How do you get pics of stuff that is yet to be made ? especially when he's asking for pre orders.
Besides I see pic requests for everything.
Wheels, tars, cables, carbs ... before and after jetting please ... WTF not kidding, I have been asked that.
LOL Before and after jetting....
This is a more grass-roots group buy... so I suppose the additional risk is there and will have to be dealt with.
Reload - I'm in for one, but where do we send money paypal?
i will speak with the machinist and arrange the paypal stuff when this week. looks like we have enough people so i'll start tallying everything up. thnx guys.
Count me in as well with screws. My GS wiggles a little sometimes, so this is a much needed upgrade. Thanks
Count me in, Im interested.
hey can everyone update if they want screws or not? thnx
this is still open btw so all aboard :D
screws w/ mine!
McMaster-carr can solve all your bolt woes. And pretty much any other woes you have.
yeh its easy to get but since i have to order a pack anyway i'll have a few extra.
Well ill takes some with mine if that helps.
I'd like screws with mine too
I'll take one with screws please.
Another Aussie interested, with screws please.
Quote from: mass-hole on July 26, 2011, 11:35:27 AM
McMaster-carr can solve all your bolt woes. And pretty much any other woes you have.
Yea, except they want to sell you a 1000 ...
I have them in boxes of 100 from I think Brighton-Best and I have stuck my locat store with the other 900 ... and I did that with 10 sizes and 5 types ... like allen head, button head, flanged hex etc etc all in metric.
Man do they hate me.
Fastenal may be the next best option, and they sell packs of 100 in most cases unless you get em off the shelf.
Cool.
Buddha.
I'll take screws with mine as well.
I'll be the oddball and pass on the screws. I have a Sears Hardware by my house that I have used to replace a ton of hardware on my GS.
Count me in for one with screws.
ok guys, looks like we're on for this weekend. i should be heading over this weekend to check everything out.
i'll update pics and paypal info when it happens.
reminder 30$ shipped no hardware. 33$ shipped w/ hardware (8 screws)
I'll take one w/ hardware please.
Jeff
Updated original post with pics and info. Looks like i may have a few extras so pm me if you are interested and not on the list already. thanks!
Quote from: reload on August 08, 2011, 08:08:11 PM
Updated original post with pics and info. Looks like i may have a few extras so pm me if you are interested and not on the list already. thanks!
I sent my payment...but it got flagged for dispute? I have no idea why, but it says it is waiting for your response. :dunno_black:
payment sent!
Payment sent.
sry guys it's t-storming here in ny. i'll send out the pieces tomorrow for whoever pays today
Payment sent.
Payment sent. Thanks
thanks guys. people who payed on mon + tues, your package is in the mail (usps).
esp thanks for the guys that sent the money as a gift...dam paypal surcharge.
I got this in the mail today. that was fast. This thing is beefy. Looks nice too. Installing tomorrow. thanks
Reload. Still want one. Will paypal soon, on travel and need info to verify Paypal :technical:. Pics look great BTW.
Thanks,
Jeff
got mine friday, and the part is GORGEOUS! can't wait to get this on
Fork brace came in the mail yesterday and it is very nice. Just so i dont repeat adjectives, i'll say it is THICK!!!!! Thanks for doing this Reload.
wish i wouldn't have gotten my hopes up for a 10 minute swap haha. gotta pull the front wheel to get the fender and brace off :mad:
will get it on friday when i put the new white wheels and bt's on!
Got mine today and it is indeed a very nice beefy piece. Well worth the $$ :).
Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on August 16, 2011, 02:24:00 PM
wish i wouldn't have gotten my hopes up for a 10 minute swap haha. gotta pull the front wheel to get the fender and brace off :mad:
will get it on friday when i put the new white wheels and bt's on!
Not neccesarily. If you do this.
Cut off the 4 fender to brace bolt heads. Careful here, dont heat up the thing, you can spray water etc and get it to stay cool as well as use a thin blade that takes off very little material and hence doesn't make much heat.
Then separate the fender and the brace and remote the fork leg bolts and remove the fender.
Then fit the new brace on the legs, put the fender on the wheel in position, put 2 sided emblem tape on the fender or the brace but leave the backing on, thread long zip ties through the holes, pull off the backing off the tape and put it in place and pull the zip ties tight. Done.
OK not 5 mins ... but not the whole enchilada like pulling the wheel either. One more Idiotic design if you ask me.
Cool.
Buddha.
Received my brace yesterday. Thanks Reload!
Got mine today. Thanks, reload!
:D no problem guys. glad you like it
got like 4 left. take them away please. don't know the next time they'll be back.
i'm willing to organize another batch if there is a demand after this but that depends on you guys. :cheers:
I guess this parts whore should have a couple for our projects.
PM me to order 2.
Came in today. Thanks. They'll be on the bike build.
cool cant wait to see
Hi, I'm new here and this is my 1st post but I'd like one if they are available...
I'd love to have one too if you've still got them. Thanks.
I am new here. I would like to buy one with longer screws if you have one available. Please provide me with payment instructions.
Very respectfully, Tim Hunter
Reload,
I received my fork brace in the mail yesterday. If this was eBay I would rate you as ueber-Excellent! The brace looks and works fantastic. It took me all of 15 minutes to install and the improvement was noticeable from the first time I hit the brakes. The 'pulling' to one side when I apply the front brake is much less pronounced. Thank You for taking the time to make these fork braces available.
Very respectfully, Tim
awesome. i'm very glad to hear the excellent review. its not everyday that i get to do something like this.
BTW gs'ers. I am sold out of these. I am totally willing to produce more tho if you guys show interest. :cheers:
Id be in for the next batch :icon_mrgreen:
awesome, ill keep you guys updated
anyone in oz get one? or would it be better for a group of us down under to get them made as a batch localy?
Quote from: gtscott on October 03, 2011, 05:57:40 PM
anyone in oz get one? or would it be better for a group of us down under to get them made as a batch localy?
no one outside of the US took one. the postage prices killed it. cause you're talking about 15-20$ vs 5$ domestic + customs papers.
I'm in for the next batch!
I'm in for next batch.
Quote from: reload on October 04, 2011, 05:21:35 AM
Quote from: gtscott on October 03, 2011, 05:57:40 PM
anyone in oz get one? or would it be better for a group of us down under to get them made as a batch localy?
no one outside of the US took one. the postage prices killed it. cause you're talking about 15-20$ vs 5$ domestic + customs papers.
I've combined 4-5 peoples orders for an Australia run, 30-40 bucks for somehting weighing north of 9-10lb. But split it 5-6 ways and its not too bad. I'd think they'd have to mail it to each other on top of that ... unless they all lived next door to each other ...
Cool.
Buddha.
hey if someone down under wanted to take it on then that could work.
put me down for 2 when the next batch is due. Thanks
I'd definitely take one when they are available too.
i will have one as well,the postage to the uk is not a problem,got a two sets of brake adapters from svrp and the postage was only $24,blair marked the item as little value,so if there is any braces mark me down for one,cheers eddyr
I would be in for one of these as well, if/when they become available again.
I'll take one if you have another batch milled.
interested!
Are there any more available?
ok guys, i will contact my machinist shortly. :cheers:
need one here too :thumb:
gotta replace mine, edges from the PO were bent a few times and hammered back straight.
also stripped screws ><
Whenever another run comes around for these, count me in as well
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/349/9/e/shut_up_and_take_my_money_by_lolikips-d34yx16.png)
hahaha that pic got a chuckle out of me.
hey, i just spoke with my machinist. he can fit us in within the next couple of weeks or so. pricing should be about the same, maybe a couple dollars more for the rising cost of metals these days.
anywho a couple more definites would help speed up this batch as i do not want to be stuck with a pile of merchandise. :D
I would be interested as well
PM sent
Quote from: reload on November 29, 2011, 09:15:39 AM
hey, i just spoke with my machinist. he can fit us in within the next couple of weeks or so. pricing should be about the same, maybe a couple dollars more for the rising cost of metals these days.
anywho a couple more definites would help speed up this batch as i do not want to be stuck with a pile of merchandise. :D
< is a def.
when ya find out the cost lemme know.
and ur mailing address
i'll have the ca$h mailed to ya anytime from Friday on. (hate waiting on paypal to take its sweet time taking $ out of my checking account)
ok guys, material costs are up a little but not too much. so its going to be 35 shipped for the continental U.S. 2$ more than last time.
another week or two and these should be ready to go out the door.
For the guys outside of the US it will be a little more, we'll take care of those details when we get there.
oh and thats with the ss screws. same as the last batch
Reload. Put me down for one. PM sent
Original post has been updated with the interests so far. :D lets get this rolling woohoo group buy.
any estimated time frame on these yet?
In the process of putting my bike back together finally.
so I am buying a few parts each paycheck.
In no hurry, just want to know if I should possibly mail the $ out Friday when I get paid, or make sure to put the $ aside if it will be a little longer then that.
Just covering a few Must have's to be able to finish putting it back together and be able to have it on its own 2 wheels and start.
To even put my front end on I need this fork brace and new steering stem bearings & seals.
Also a new chain and 15T front sprocket.
Plan to get those 4 items next pay, so im just trying to get things situated.
I just picked them up today so they are in house and ready to go. members that have shown interest already have been pm'ed.
Message me if anyone else wants. :cheers:
Heck Yeah!
Awesome timing!! :thumb: :thumb:
PM sent for mailing details as paypals empty and would take probably a whole nother week from Friday to get the $ in there.
Just got mine a few days ago. Thanks! Pics soon!
Just got mine :thumb:
Thank you
With the help of my roommate, I finally put it on! It looks great and feels solid. Here's a time-lapse of us putting it on and discovering that I did something to make the front pads drag on the disc. I'm going to explain that bit in another thread.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w02hOjugEnw
Thanks again!
^^^^ Nice vid and soundtrack :D :thumb:
awesome stuff. cept for the disc dragging, gluck
bump. i still have a few of these left. take em away guys!
Sorry - posted on wrong parts thread. oops :cookoo:
are these all taken or is there still an available one kickin around?
Still have some. pm sent.
Could I please get one of these shipped to 4680, Australia please.
i still got some of these left. how can you deny these beauties?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/IMG_20120910_172409.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/IMG_20120910_172443.jpg)
Pm sent
Just pulled mine out of the parts pile. Still as gorgeous as the day i got it in the mail. Can't wait to bolt it on!
check this out. i was able to use a milling machine at a friends shop to flycut a couple of these. sweet
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/jmana/gs500/IMG_20120912_171823.jpg)
I should get mine tomorrow according to USPS :cheers: now to spend weekend installing frame sliders and fork brace
Ron
bump
i have about 5 left. dont know if i'll make them again after these are done.
take them please :)
Quote from: reload on January 21, 2013, 07:57:17 PM
bump
i have about 5 left. dont know if i'll make them again after these are done.
take them please :)
PM sent
2 left. packaged and ready to go. :D. this is the last of them
PM Sent