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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Tkat fork brace order READY! /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1180722129 Message started by skatnbnc on 06/01/07 at 11:22:09 |
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Title: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by skatnbnc on 06/01/07 at 11:22:09 As promised I am starting a new thread on the fork brace order because it went off tangent from the original. Message from the person making the run: >>Chips are go'n on the floor now. But there's a "honey do" list that takes top priority this w/e so it may be a cpl of more weeks. Ride Tall, Tkat<< So hopefully in a few weeks those who expressed an interest will be hearing that the run is complete and ready for purchase. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by ALfromN.H. on 06/01/07 at 12:54:23 That's awesome. I'm on the original list and can't wait. AL |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by SteveRocket on 06/01/07 at 17:37:57 excuse my ignorance but what is the Tkat fork brace and is it better than the super brace Steve |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by ALfromN.H. on 06/01/07 at 17:43:10 http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C12%5C03%5Cbikepics-738236-full.jpg |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by barry68v10 on 06/01/07 at 17:46:56 Steve, only "better" in the sense that it's much cheaper and easier to install. Once it's installed, it works exactly the same way. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by SteveRocket on 06/01/07 at 17:49:10 How and where do I order one as I have noticed my Savage does like a bit of a wobble on the free way in the wind. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Jack_650 on 06/01/07 at 20:31:18 I too am interested in the brace. I usually check in a couple times a day to see what ya'll are talking about, but I missed this one. Price and availability please. Jack |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Fido_the_Cat on 06/01/07 at 21:27:08 Jack I missed it too.... Email Tkat@Tkat.com Yes the email is correct. He is a machinist that has made them in the past for people of our group and others, I'm sure. He stopped making them due to lack of interest. Right now interest is high and he has decided to make another run. Comparatively he is selling his for $90.00 delivered. Superbrace is $125.00 and less installer friendly. It serves the same purpose. If your interested I suggest emailing him and getting your name on the list. Production will begin soon. For some reason he prefers to have at least six or more interests before he will run it. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by SteveRocket on 06/02/07 at 08:26:29 I emailed TKat today, I will post any reply I get |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Sarge on 06/02/07 at 11:03:00 I E mailed Tkat a few weeks ago. Hope I'm still on the list as I still want to purchase one. ::) Sarge |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Reelthing on 06/02/07 at 12:29:18 Fido_the_Cat wrote:
Not knocking the Tkat - likely to order one my self - however if a person finds the superbrace hard to install they might not should have open the second 12 pack. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by barry68v10 on 06/02/07 at 13:30:22 Quote:
Not hard, just hard-ER... ;D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by verslagen1 on 06/02/07 at 20:36:27 I hope he was smart and made a few extra. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by strangeling67 on 06/02/07 at 21:01:33 This brace will fit both the S40 and Savage right ? |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Savage_Rob on 06/03/07 at 09:09:33 strangeling67 wrote:
Yes. On an S40 you'll have to remove the plastic fork protectors. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by verslagen1 on 06/03/07 at 09:15:07 I asked tkat if there was enough room for boots and he said there is. So perhaps you won't need to remove them. You would have to remove them if you got superbraces. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Savage_Rob on 06/03/07 at 09:36:31 verslagen1 wrote:
They aren't boots. They're hard plastic flanges. Boots would be on the "top" side of the brace. You can see the stock protectors below. http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/S40K7_aBlack_000000.jpg |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by skatnbnc on 06/04/07 at 08:01:16 The reason tkat waits for a number of people who are committed to getting the brace is because of the time and cost involved. It takes time and effort to set the CnC machine up to cut the parts, and it is not worth doing for just one piece. It is quicker and more effective to do a production run - cut part A 10 times, reset machine, cut part B, reset machine, cut part C, etc etc etc. And according to the last email I got from him, he is cutting parts right now. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by PhotoProf on 06/04/07 at 13:26:56 I just e-mailed Tkat this morning and he was still accepting people for his current production run... maybe he decided to make a few extra braces since he was up and running. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by SteveRocket on 06/04/07 at 14:55:48 Me too I got a reply that I am on the list for next batch. I would suggest that if anyone would like one to let Tkat know as soon as possible. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Fido_the_Cat on 06/04/07 at 19:53:50 Reelthing wrote:
You are absolutely right. But man we had a good time back then... Didn't notice things like "losing your grip" on the road. BTW..... I'm on the list, makes a nice stocking stuffer (for me!). |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by klx650sm2002 on 06/05/07 at 05:53:14 ALfromN.H. wrote:
Hey AL how much was your tool roll ? thanks, Clive W :D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by ukrider42 on 06/05/07 at 05:53:26 Hi I too am very interested in this fork brace from tkat. But would he make me one and ship it to the UK???? I would be willing to pay that price plus shipping. Trying to get hold of Savage spares and or parts are a nightmare :'( in the UK. Thanks Kenny |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by skatnbnc on 06/05/07 at 06:01:58 Email him and ask. I don't see why not. It would be about £9 max for shipping, plus the £45.17 for the part (i ship stuff over the pond fairly often) :) email to: tkat@tkat.com and don't forget to work out the USA to UK currency converstion thing beforehand. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by ALfromN.H. on 06/05/07 at 06:17:23 klx, that wasn't my bike. I was just showing someone what the tkat brace looks like. by the way, I'm looking for a tool roll also. I'll probably get one in laconia next week at motorcycle week. There is usually a good selection of leather goods there. Maybe a new set of saddle bags too if I can find a good deal. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by klx650sm2002 on 06/05/07 at 06:31:53 Thanks man I was interested as I'm gettin' one for £14.99. Clive W :D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by Woody on 06/05/07 at 15:15:05 the fork bag can be picked up for about $25 - $30 at Walmart. I have one and like it real well. ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order Post by skatnbnc on 06/06/07 at 05:36:13 Message in from TKAT! >> TA-DA!! OK, Guys. The next batch of Suzook Savage F/Bs are ready for shipping. Thanks for the response. I built what I figured was gunna be enuf for the requests and a few extra. WRONG! Over 2 dzn ppl have requested TBN. There WILL be another run. The material hit the floor 2day. To try to be s’what fair about the distribution I’m gunna send out notices to the oldest 20 names on the list and then wait a few days for the response. After that I’ll post to the list and the others on the waiting list. A few tid-bits of info: The raw aluminum for 1 F/B weighs just under 4 lbs. [@ $3.75/lb = $15]. The screws cost another 50¢. Postage is now $4.60. It takes about 2 hrs/unit after getting a set-up. Shop rate for CNC is $85/hr. or $170 per unit in machining. Then the pieces spend 90 minutes in the tumbler. Do the math: Basically, I’m just do’n these to help the M/C world and a pitcher of Margarita now & then. FYI. The finished F/B weighs in @ 1 1/4lbs or so. Lotsa chips onna floor. Not that I’m complaining. Scheech! I sell the chips back to the reclaimers @ $0.39/lb. (;^) Ordering info follows Costs: $90 Domestic, $92USD Canuk, $97USD off shore. That includes shipping. No PayPal or plastic but personal checks OK. In stock now. Make check payable to: R.C.L. Mail To: Tkat 1745 Grant St. #5 Santa Clara, CA 95050 USA Include legible "ship to" snail mail addy. Ride Tall, Tkat |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by skatnbnc on 06/06/07 at 10:19:54 And tkat sends his thanks to the forum for the nice large order! Looking forward to getting mine and will post results. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by barry68v10 on 06/06/07 at 15:14:09 I have a TKAT forkbrace, it was supposedly "the last one he'd ever build." I couldn't be happier with it unless it filled my tank with gas. ;D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by BCman on 06/06/07 at 23:07:57 Tkat's current price is $90 shipped to the USA; $92 to Canada and $97 for offshore. This price includes the shipping. For non- US purchasers, send a money order for the correct amount in US dollars. The level of interest was more that expected, so another production run is being planned. ;) BCman |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by verslagen1 on 06/11/07 at 20:47:43 Got mine in the mail today. It's on and I'm ready to give it a go! ;D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by ALfromN.H. on 06/12/07 at 04:41:31 did you guys get any correspondence(sp) from tkat before you got it in the mail? Like, did he e-mail you to let you know it was coming? I sent a check but haven't heard from him yet. AL |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by skatnbnc on 06/12/07 at 06:47:37 Well i was hoping to see my brace in the mail this week, but now will email tkat with my model and year. East coast to west coast USPS the check last week, so no telling when he will get the payment. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by verslagen1 on 06/12/07 at 07:20:13 No, I didn't get an email that it was on it's way. Was kinda surprised it arrived so quickly. Normally, they wait until the check clears. 1st ride report... You know that line in the road that make your bars wobble and the rear feels like it in sand? Somebody smoothed them all out last while I was sleeping. I'll have to go look for some more. ;D Update! 2nd ride report... Yep! somebody sanded down all the wobbles off the east bound side too! Was able to straight line a crack that made me look like I was sloloming the bop dots. ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Trippah on 06/13/07 at 15:16:57 Arrived today ;D put it on, and hopefully the rain will stop someday so I can test it out. Thanks Tkat. Was there a thread about polishing up the aluminum?? Thinking ahead to this coming Winter. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by ALfromN.H. on 06/13/07 at 15:28:55 I had My tkat delivered to where I work and it arrived today. I went out and put it right on (it took about a minute) and on the way home I noticed an amazing difference. I intentionally drove over as many pavement snakes as I could and couldn't even tell they were there. And on a few sharp curves that usually have me wobbling all over the road, well lets just say the difference is like night and day. probably the best mod I've done yet(except the sporty muff and sporty seat and re-jetting and....I guess they were all good mods). Can't wait to do something else to it. Any suggestions? |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Holodeck on 06/13/07 at 17:02:29 I got a heavier bike for $90. Got it in the mail today. Very easy to put on, the fit was amazing. I could feel the difference in first gear. Took it down to the 30 mph ( posted ) twistys around Lake Washington, ran her up to what I thought was 40+, looked down at the speedo and it read almost 60. I'm going to hit the much hated super slab this weekend and see what happens. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by justin_o_guy on 06/13/07 at 17:10:57 Get a cam from Lancer. Puts a noticeable Whoomp in it. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Savage_Rob on 06/14/07 at 05:41:25 Yup, a fork brace is definitely a worthwhile addition to the LS650. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by smokey02 on 06/14/07 at 11:54:55 klx650sm2002 I got that fork bag at a co. xmas gift exchange a year and a half ago, so I don't know where it came from. Brand name sez 'Bell' but it's probably from China? As for the Tkat fork brace, I've had it since Aug '06 and it really smooths out the ride, changes those tar snakes and wobblies to more like a straight up and down motion. http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C12%5C03%5Cbikepics-738232-800.jpg http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C12%5C03%5Cbikepics-738236-800.jpg http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C12%5C03%5Cbikepics-738238-800.jpg |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by BornOnFire on 06/14/07 at 14:02:13 Saw the leather "Bell" Fork Bag at Wal Mart last weekend for $27.00. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by eglidegirl on 06/15/07 at 07:19:57 Lurker here, don't post very much. Luv the site though. I just emailed Tkat to be put on wait list too. Looks like we're on our way to getting enuf people in line to make a 2nd run worthwhile! |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Trippah on 06/15/07 at 15:21:38 secondary bonus- my savage seems to run better over the "snakes" and, as an added bonus, the wind blasts on my windshield didn't seem to make the bike shake it head as much. :D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by skatnbnc on 06/16/07 at 15:03:26 An update at last - the tkat fork brace came in late last week, and I finally got it on last night. This was done VERY easily, and it fits together better than some of the stock parts already on the bike. So today was the big test; and guess what? This bike is now TIGHT! :D That was the word that came to mind when I took a 2 hour ride over the back roads, tar snakes, potholes, curves, with passing logging trucks, and wind gusts from the open fields at 15-20+ From a girl perspective (as a girl with not much upper body strength) it comes down to this - the fork brace steadies the front end significantly and you no longer have to fight to keep it straight when encountering these obstacles. I noticed right away that the wind gusts didn't wobble the bike anymore. Then it took WAY less strength for me to cruise long distance over tar snakes and past open fields. This in turn meant a more comfortable, longer ride (no need to take a rest break because my arms and shoulders are tired). The entire ride is more comfortable, and I felt like I had much better control, therefore rode more relaxed, and had a great first ride with the new brace. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED addition to our Savage! 8) |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Savage_Rob on 06/28/07 at 05:33:40 mickthelimey wrote:
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by PhotoProf on 06/28/07 at 05:45:02 I am on the list for the "second" run and received confirmation from Tkat that production is underway but going somewhat slowly. Glad to hear that the brace is making a positive improvement on performance. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by theikeman on 07/01/07 at 22:37:47 Hi, Been away for a while since I sold my 87, but I am back looking for another Savage. I am very glad to see that TKAT is still making the braces for the 650. I had one of his on my XS650 and when I bought the Savage I asked him to take a look see at our Savage group. Glad he did, after I find a Savage, I too will get another brace. Thanks, good to be back Ike |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by LANCER on 07/02/07 at 05:21:51 Hey dude! Good to see you again :D |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by jaeger on 07/03/07 at 10:28:30 Is it too late to get in on the Tkat F/B deal? --Jaeger |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Savage_Rob on 07/03/07 at 10:34:44 jaeger wrote:
You need to contact Tkat. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Strafford_Guy on 07/24/07 at 08:17:42 Just got the Tkat yesterday. Got done putting it on about 5 min. ago. Fit like a glove! It was said before but I think it's great that he would send the brace even before the check had cleared. There are not many ppl the would do that for folks he does not even know. There are some great folks at this forum, Willing to share knowledge and their hard work without expecting anything back. Thanks from a new member of the Savage family. Well it's not raining finally and I want to check out the brace. Ride safe. ~ Strafford Guy~ |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by barb36jack31 on 07/29/07 at 17:06:43 Got my TKAT yesterday. WAited until today to polish it up a bit with some 600 grit wet/dry paper. Looks great and tomorrow I will install. Looking forward to see what handling improvements will result. Jack H. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by RNsavage on 07/29/07 at 17:51:32 got my brace and installed it and its amazingly different. feels very solid even in cruising at 35-40 mph. can wait to take it on the freeway. thinking of getting it chromed. did the 600 grit do the job? is there anyone here that had it chromed or anodized. finish is great but needs polishing. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by barb36jack31 on 07/30/07 at 13:38:47 The 600 grit wet/dry paper did a good job. It now matches the fork tubes in luster. Installed the brace. It took me significantly longer than the 1 min. and 5 min. times reported. Maybe it's my 76 years showing up. My approach is assemble the brace, keep bolts loose, gentle taps with a small rubber mallet to align, tighted finger tight, check all parts one more time and then gradually tighten the bolts. End result was fine. Bike much steadier and holds lines in corners much better. For TKAT - from an old sailor - Well done sir, well done indeed! Jack H. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Beatduck on 07/30/07 at 20:26:31 The TKAT brace rocks!!! Thanks so much!! |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by TVR on 07/31/07 at 17:04:41 Highly recommended mod.. http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u193/TVR_LS650/BracemPegs.jpg http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u193/TVR_LS650/TKATBrace4.jpg |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by toddlamp8 on 08/01/07 at 21:39:42 I am another satisfied TKAT brace customer. It works great and went on in about 10 minutes! Its a no-brainer |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by Rockin_John on 08/02/07 at 11:12:45 Tkat status report: I just got around to emailing Tkat about one yesterday (8/1/07) and as I figured, all of this current run were spoken for. The good news: He says he'll tool up for another run next week! So... my extra wobbly 4" over forks on the 99 should stiffen up some pretty soon! |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by verslagen1 on 08/02/07 at 11:14:55 I wonder how many he's made so far? |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by PhotoProf on 08/02/07 at 13:49:15 The tkat brace is a nice addition! Tkat himself is great to work with and is very good to respond to e-mails/questions. |
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Title: Re: Tkat fork brace order READY! Post by RoadToadOregon on 08/28/07 at 19:10:27 It's great!! After much time wonderin' how much would it help with front end stability......saved my pennies and ordered one of Tkats braces.....took me maybe 10 mins.[to make sure doing it right, and not leave any marks on a beautifuly made piece], went for a ride on one of our [in]famous rutted hwys [blamed on tire studs?] Anyway, it works [to me] every bit as good as it is made!! I'm very pleased I did this.... |
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