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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fork brace /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1232324883 Message started by 88pagan on 01/18/09 at 16:28:03 |
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Title: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/18/09 at 16:28:03 Does anyone know where to get a fork brace for a better price than the dealers site? I'm looking at the superbrace site and it's-- $155+25 if you go with the fork protectors (anyone know about these?) +25 to get it black. Also, is there another brand brace anyone would suggest? Thanks for your help like always folks. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Skid Mark on 01/18/09 at 16:46:33 Check out this site. Tkat [tkat@tkat.com] I don't have one yet, but from reccomendations they are good. Tkat quoted me $97 fob Calgary, which is a pretty darm good price. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/18/09 at 16:49:30 Hmm that sounds like a good price. I looked at that site but assumed they were yamaha specific. Thanks man |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 01/18/09 at 18:22:56 Tkat is what I got. Email 'em, he does them in batches, so you may have to wait. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by savagedml on 01/18/09 at 18:40:01 Try: https://www.onestopmoto.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SBSB-S12-AMA3335 This (143.74 US) was within a few dollars of the cheapest on the net. I went through AMAZON.com and got an additional $30.00 US off by just applying for their "Instant" credit card online. When the bill comes for $113.00 (plus 8.76 S&H), I'll just pay it off. I put mine on last night so I haven't been able to try it out yet. Keep me posted on how it works out for you. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Starlifter on 01/19/09 at 06:25:36 Well the add says LS-650, 84 thru 04. Will it fit newer bikes? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by bill67 on 01/19/09 at 06:36:12 I have an 06 and its the same stock number 3335 and it works |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by klx650sm2002 on 01/20/09 at 00:00:47 I got this secondhand for about £25. http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o147/klx650sm2002/lightbrace.jpg Clive W :) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 01/20/09 at 12:41:39 3A293E3F202D2B29227D4C0 wrote:
I e-mailed Tkat and he said he has them ready to ship... I might go that route... Do you have a picture of his setup installed? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 01/20/09 at 13:47:56 There's a side view in whale. I'll have post one later. Bobbert asked about it last weekend. I told him that as I now have another bike w/o it, I can really tell the difference between the 2. I went around a corner and felt like I was gonna fall off. As far as looks go, it looks like it was factory issue. The finish and color match exactly. I aggonized about purchasing it cause of the finish. The machined finish didn't seem to match the bike as it has polished chrome accents and thought that the polished superbrace would be better. But not being able to find anything but the list price disapointed me. So I went with the Tkat the next time it was available. No regretts. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/20/09 at 16:27:45 Thanks for the info Verslagen, I'm sending tkat some $ also. Someone should make a deal with these guys and get a discount, throw em in the Savage store haha |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Dj12midnit on 01/20/09 at 18:21:53 what is the going price for the TKat |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/20/09 at 18:27:11 $90 domestic. $92 USD Caruck $97 USD international. That includes shipping. No plastic or paypal. Checks, cash money order blah blah blah are ok. Specify S40 or LS650. Include legible ship to address and send money to- Tkat 1745 Grant St. Unit #5 Santa Clara, CA 95050-3936 USA I don't know if I'm allowed to do that but there you go. Some free advertising for them and saves a lot of trouble and emails for all of us. Also..anyone live in Antarctica?? The first order he gets to there is free since that's the only Continent he hasn't shipped to. How about someone there places the first order of 2 or 300 and hooks us all up?? LOL |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by gerald.hughes on 01/20/09 at 19:15:31 I just put a TKat on my LS650, and I am very pleasantly surprised by how much it improves the handling. The bike now corners like it is on rails. It goes where you point it. I was curious however, about the distinction between the S40 and the LS 650. Does anyone know why this distinction is made? I had assumed that the fork tubes would be the same. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by drharveys on 01/20/09 at 19:26:36 5F5D4A59545C16504D5F505D4B380 wrote:
Because Suzuki is branding all their cruisers as "Boulevard". Now you have to look real close to see where it actually says "Suzuki" on the bike! As for the S-40, all the other Boulevards are B-something, and they've switched from cc's to cubic inches in the numbers so as not to confuse crossover Harley guys, I guess. So, we have a Single of 40 cu in, I suppose the twins have the B designation so you know it has "Both" cylinders! ;D Oh yeah, I have the Superbrace on mine -- major handling improvement. Now upgrade the shocks (I have Hagons) and see how the rear wheel likes it! |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 01/20/09 at 22:01:39 2A283F2C21296325382A25283E4D0 wrote:
Printers trying to save ink. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Red_S40 on 01/22/09 at 11:06:43 3F29333A292D3E22285B0 wrote:
Because Suzuki is branding all their cruisers as "Boulevard". Now you have to look real close to see where it actually says "Suzuki" on the bike! As for the S-40, all the other Boulevards are B-something, and they've switched from cc's to cubic inches in the numbers so as not to confuse crossover Harley guys, I guess. So, we have a Single of 40 cu in, I suppose the twins have the B designation so you know it has "Both" cylinders! ;D Oh yeah, I have the Superbrace on mine -- major handling improvement. Now upgrade the shocks (I have Hagons) and see how the rear wheel likes it! [/quote] I've seen designations of C50, C90, T50, T90, and so on; I'm guessing it stands for Cruiser, and Touring, judging by the accesories on them. They also make an S50, and I think an S90. I'd say it stands for Sport, (or Supercool! 8-)), since the S50 is supposed to be quite the little hot rod judging by what the owners say. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by gerald.hughes on 01/22/09 at 12:37:08 I guess that I wasn't very clear in my last posting. When I purchased my fork brace from Tkat, I had to specify if it was for an LS650, or and S40. That would lead me to believe that the fork braces for the two bikes were different. I was wondering what the difference was between the LS650 and the S40 that necessitated a different brace. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 01/22/09 at 12:50:33 On the later S40's, there's a fork protector. A little plastic plate in front of the fork seal to keep bugs from splattering on the tube and the parts getting sucked into the joint. The shell and wings abraid the oil seal. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by bill67 on 01/22/09 at 13:15:14 That protector has to be cut off,At least on the Super Brace it does |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 01/22/09 at 13:47:58 Haven't looked at one with a protector, but if it doesn't extend beyond the dust boot (in diameter) I don't think the tkat will interfere with it. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by gerald.hughes on 01/22/09 at 15:22:33 Since it is raining here today, I am not riding and can post the following pictures of the Tkat on my bike. http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/gerald_hughes/Bikebrace.jpg http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/gerald_hughes/Frontbrace.jpg http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/gerald_hughes/Frontbrace2.jpg |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/22/09 at 17:28:07 I wrote to Tkat inquiring about the difference in fork braces for the two models. Looks like it doesn't matter. Here's the emails -- "Hope you don't mind but I posted the info you gave me over at the suzukisavage forum. I'm sure you'll be getting some sales from there as a lot of the folks are interested in installing a fork brace. A question, what is the difference in design between the s40 and ls650 brace? There is some discussion about it and I figured you could give us the answer. Thanks!" His response: "Absolutely none in my parts. I don't know the bike so I had a local owner bring his by for sizing. He got the Beta version and said there was no difference btwn the 2 models. All I know is that I ship the same one for both bikes (are there 2 different ones?) & so far nobody's complained. Thnx for the post to the Forum. So far I've only received about 30 orders. Note: In the 15+ yrs I've been mak'n them for the XS Yamis I've sold over 2000. Tkat * Riding a motorcycle is 90 % mental, the other 1/2 is physical." |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by gerald.hughes on 01/22/09 at 19:06:36 I wonder why he bothers to have you specify which bike you have if there is no difference? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/23/09 at 05:42:17 Who knows, probably just to make it feel more official or something..haha. Looks good Gerald, can't wait to install mine and feel the difference! I'll have to keep my eye out for you and Serowbot next time I'm in your hood :) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by savagedml on 01/23/09 at 06:04:01 Gerald, I really like the extra clearance between the fender that your brace has. If I had known about the TKat a month ago, I would have saved myself $50. It looks great! I still haven't ridden with my Superbrace yet and although today will be 57 degrees here, I'm still sidelined with pneumonia >:(. Thanks for the pics. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by WoodLark on 01/23/09 at 10:17:22 I took a look at my S40 and compared it to gerald.hughes' pictures. The plastic protector goes around the fork tube in exactly the same spot as the tkat brace is located so I think it would have to come off. It might be possible to either modify the existing protector to fit over the tkat or to fabricate some sort of replacement. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/23/09 at 11:40:53 I'm sure Tkat would make the necessary mods to fit it with the fork protector if someone informed him. From the map it doesn't look like anyone is in his general area though |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 01/23/09 at 19:04:30 That looks great! I have to order mine sometime soon I guess. :) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by T Mack 1 on 01/23/09 at 19:21:47 5E6460626359786B6B4A78740D0 wrote:
You should have been on the Sept ride. "Fido-the-Cat" had one on his..... I'm gong to get one, just have to talk the better Half and the son into spendig less money .... Just to rub it in.... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1222094506/0 |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 01/24/09 at 05:16:55 TMack - Yea, yea! I'm sorry! I'll be there for this years ride though if someone is planning something. :) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 01/29/09 at 05:54:59 My Tkat is en route...hope it has quick legs! ;D |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 01/29/09 at 16:08:52 I'm hoping to order mine this coming pay check... I had almost 10 hours of extra time at work this pay, so that should cover the cost. :-P |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by savagedml on 02/01/09 at 14:34:24 I rode my bike with the Superbrace for the first time today. What a HUGE DIFFERENCE a fork brace makes! It eliminated the "wobbles" at highway speeds, and rough road surfaces and grooves are barely noticeable now. It looks like Tkat owners are reporting the same kind of performance improvements. The bike responds now to the slightest handlebar movement. I'd like to think I'm going to be able to enjoy that responsiveness in June riding the Tail of the Dragon! Again for safety and performance a fork brace is a great investment! |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 02/03/09 at 18:42:43 Wow what a difference! I highly suggest this inexpensive, easy mod |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Skid Mark on 02/07/09 at 07:28:35 Just sent a money order to Tkat for a fork brace. Looking forward to a stabler ride. Spring is Just around the corner. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by T Mack 1 on 02/07/09 at 12:26:46 Sent my check on Tuesday (2/3). In his email, he said he had two left. But.... I told him he was getting good reviews on the forum and he should keep at least 5 in stock. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 02/07/09 at 13:24:14 inquired yesterday, says he's out. must not like me. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 02/07/09 at 21:52:45 Naw Verslagen..everyone likes you. Maybe he's getting overwhelmed lol. I told him I posted his info on the site and he should be expecting more orders. Btw for anyone wondering, they polish up real nice and easy. Was going to post before and after pix but I got too excited to shine em up, install em and try them out. ;D |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Puddle Pirate on 02/07/09 at 22:04:45 Hey Verslagen, did tkat say when he would have more available? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/07/09 at 22:15:28 Dang, Vers, he didnt tell ME he was out. You been a bad boy? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by verslagen1 on 02/07/09 at 23:36:05 Well I did tell 'em I wanted sometin' different. A lip to mount a fork boot to, just like what's on the xs fork brace And he said he was going to make another run next month. Well that's what he said before we got talkin' about a mod anyway. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Skid Mark on 02/08/09 at 08:50:46 Tkat told me he had 1 left, and has put my name on it. Perhaps a little marketing ploy? Anyway, he should have my money order on Monday. The recent posts would indicate he's gotten a bit busier than usual. And so he should be. He's got a quality product for a good price. I just waited till now to order since it will be at least a month or 2 before we can start riding up here. I'm really looking forward to riding with the fork brace installed. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/08/09 at 09:48:45 Superbrace has fork protectors available. I suspect they could be had seperately. Drilling & tapping the T-Kat to take them would be no big deal, just make sure you use Tap Magic for Aluminum & reverse the tap often & go slow. I put the S/brace on & yes, the black plastic protectors have to come off. If the Inside Diameter of the braces had a ridge to fit the groove the protectors ride in, then they would grip tighter, but making that work out would be really tough. With the machining variations of the braces & the forks it would be possible for the brace to have a slightly taller ridge being clamped into a slightly shallower groove & wind up with the clamping forces being higher in the groove than on the rest of the forktubes. Might be a bad thing, possibly creating a crack. Note, this isnt an indictment of anyones work. Production tollerances can just work out to create a situation that causes problems, like the rare event we see with the engines, sometimes the fattest piston alowable gets slipped into the smallest bore allowable. Tends to create a problem later on down the road. Now, I am not a machinist or metalurgist, so maybe I am waaay off here. Someone with real knowledge & experience could pitch in here & Id appreciate it. If I hadnt gotten this Superbrace so Right, pricewise, I would have gotten that T-Kat part. I like both of them, the Superbrace is so slick looking & the T-Kat is so Straight Up, No kidding, No Appologies, in your face. I like the tough look. It would "fit" the look of some bikes better than others. If I was dressing the Savage for a show, I'd want the S/brace, if I was building a bobber or allowing the bike to slowly morph into a Rat, Id sure want the T-Kat. No mods? No real agenda for the style? Id take either one, based on price. I dont understand why anyone would have a Savage & not have a brace, unless their riding style is just very, very laid back. The change in the feel & ride was as dramatic as putting new tires on, replacing some very worn out ones. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Puddle Pirate on 02/09/09 at 21:54:46 Received an e-mail from tkat today. Currently he is out of braces but expects to begin working on a new batch and have them sometime around 2/16. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Starlifter on 02/10/09 at 09:06:51 How do you remove the plastic fork protectors? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/10/09 at 11:59:08 X-Acto knife will do it. The bigger one is easier to push on, or a utility knife, even a small wood chisel woud get it. Just have to cut the band that sits down in the groove. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by DocNeedles on 02/10/09 at 13:26:11 787E677478232C150 wrote:
I have just been in touch with Tkat and am forwarding this message, maybe it should be on Marketplace but here goes: "The next batch is underway as we speak. They'll be ready to go next week. ATM the price is $92.)) USD to you Cannucks. That's delivered. Unfortunately, soon I've got to raise the prices all around. Not quite sure to what yet, but aluminum has gone to well over $3.50 /lb, my rent's gone up , andpostage is now $11.00 to you guys in the north. Even the domestic rate has gone to $5.00. When I started doin' these for the XS riders, it was $3.50 domestic. Ouch!! I'll hold prices thru March orders but come April 1st, ;) seems appropriate date, there will be a jump, sorry. Would you please post this to yer list?" Ciao Tkat." Hope this is helpful. DocNeedles |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Skid Mark on 02/10/09 at 19:56:53 Oops. I did put the wrong Cdn price down. Even at the higher price, its still a good deal. Looks like we drummed up some business for Tkat. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by Savage_Amusement on 02/10/09 at 20:03:03 I will be in for one maybe later this year. I'm glad someone is doing this! |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 02/11/09 at 05:13:32 Thanks for the info. My check is going off as soon as the new batch is ready. :) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by T Mack 1 on 02/11/09 at 12:00:06 Christmas in February...... My Fork bracket arrived in the mail...... Plus it's 64 deg F and I'm telecommuting....WOW what a day. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by 88pagan on 02/11/09 at 14:16:08 Take notice, Tkat himself posted some info here for us in rubber side down. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/11/09 at 22:32:04 Plus it's 64 deg F and I'm telecommuting.... Isnt that what they did on Star Tek? Why you even NEED a bike if you can get around that easy? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by bill67 on 02/12/09 at 04:36:10 Be sure your forks a parallel when you tighen the top bolts or you will be binding the forks.The top slides back and forth. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by T Mack 1 on 02/14/09 at 13:17:30 253A3C3B2621102010283A367D4F0 wrote:
J-O-G, That's teleporting. Telecommuting means you can hop on the bike and take a quick cruise to un-stress and no-one will know the wiser. If they ask where you were when they called, you just say "in the can". It also means you can have whatever liquid refreshment you want....... Back to the Topic...... I polished the fork brace....looks nice. Just have to figure out what I'm goig to do with my Bell front bag. Currently it's just under the headlight and the windsheild won't let me mount it above the headlight. Hmmmmm...... scratching head here.... EDIT: pictures added. CLICK the picture for bigger image As received (can added for size reference): http://www.users.fast.net/~tommack/TKAT_sm.JPG (http://www.users.fast.net/~tommack/TKAT.JPG) Polished: http://www.users.fast.net/~tommack/TKAT-Polished_sm.JPG (http://www.users.fast.net/~tommack/TKAT-Polished.JPG) |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 02/25/09 at 07:20:21 03080D0D5756610 wrote:
Bill - Are you saying that the top, when all bolted together should slide from side to side when everything is said and done with? |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by prechermike on 02/25/09 at 07:34:27 Simon Mine does not slide back and forth. I took that to mean make sure everything is straight before you tighten it up. I used a straight edge to make sure the brakets were both the same before I put the top piece on. The I tightened things up slowly and evenly, skipping from one bolt to the other, like the lugs on a car tire. Mike |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 02/25/09 at 07:47:52 That was my thoughts too as well... The Superbrace design for the S40 is 2 pieces that open length wise... So, the front goes on and the back goes on and then clamps, vs. this design. I can't imagine that the brace would do very much if the top piece was able to move. :-P Thanks! |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by T Mack 1 on 02/25/09 at 14:19:17 It all gets tightened down. What Bill67 was refering to was.... There is play in the fork lower's and axle and .... and....etc etc. If the bike is on the sidestand and the wheel is in the standard turned direction that play may mean the wheel is slightly to one side. If you tighten down the brace that way, you lock in a slightly skewed/off-side alignment. Probably best thing to do is get the bike level and the front end up in the air so the play is neutral or centered. Then tighten the brace. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by bill67 on 02/25/09 at 15:32:06 I had one like that about 35 years ago,they said to move the forks up and down as you tighten the bolts so theirs no binding. |
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Title: Re: Fork brace Post by SimonTuffGuy on 02/25/09 at 18:42:35 I had better luck removing my fork protectors with one of those screwdrivers that accept the little plug bits (so you can change from phillips to flathead to Torx, etc)... It was broader than a normal flathead (where the flathead, even put sideways wanted to just cut into the plastic)... A few taps with the hammer and the protector pieces popped off. I've got to give the forks a bit of a cleaning... Polish up the brace and then it's install time. But for tomorrow, I think I'm going to ride the bike as is. I've got 5 blocks~ into work and it's supposed to be near 50! |
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