|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> What is a fork brace, and why would I need one? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1339775094 Message started by Dave Sisk on 06/15/12 at 08:44:54 |
|
Title: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one? Post by Dave Sisk on 06/15/12 at 08:44:54 I've seen the term "fork brace" used several times, usually in some discussion of highway riding. What is it, and what does it do? Cheers, Dave |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by splash07 on 06/15/12 at 08:47:42 A fork brace is a piece of metal, usually aluminum, that you bolt between the two lower sliders of your front fork. It prevents flex in the forks and makes them rigid so that you get less wobble on uneven roads, turns, and at lower speeds. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by 360k+ on 06/15/12 at 10:45:15 595A464B59421A1D2A0 wrote:
At least that's the theory. Fork braces have been around for a long time, and in some circles I've ridden in they are somewhat controversial; some folks swear by them, others can't tell any difference (like me). |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Serowbot on 06/15/12 at 10:57:09 I'm with 360k on this... I think most people that buy fork braces, are actually looking for the benefit of a steering damper... Our stock front fender is steel and has extra metal reinforcing in it... I don't notice any difference between my bike without a fork brace, and my buddy Gerry's Savage with one... Gerry, on the other hand swears he does... as do many others... For problems like speed wobble, and highway wind buffeting, and brake shudder, a steering stabilizer does the job... Fork braces just might make a difference with uneven road surfaces and tar snakes at low speeds... I come from dirt riding, and tend to be insensitive to these... :-?... JMHO... ;)... |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by babyhog on 06/15/12 at 11:11:22 I've debated getting one (even considered trying to have one made) but haven't done it yet. SuperBrace has a simulation of what they say it does. Watch this: http://www.superbrace.com/simulation.html |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Serowbot on 06/15/12 at 11:25:06 Man!... there is so much wrong with that "simulation"... ::)... |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by arteacher on 06/15/12 at 11:39:49 Basically what it does, along with the axle and fender, is stop the two sliders from working independently of each other. I had one on before the rake kit, and it made (to me ) a substantial improvement on bad roads. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by bill67 on 06/15/12 at 12:25:30 697F68756D78756E1A0 wrote:
No there isn't just over done,I had a that brace on a bike 35 years ago I thought it helped,Since that bike I had 10 others and never thought about using it again,I got on here and they talked about it and S40 has small forks so I got one and had it on 3 days after I got the bike so hard to say how much it help,The place I notice on the first one because I had the bike a while before I put it was going around bumping curves it helps.If you live in the south and the ground doesn't freeze,I wouldn't think you will notice it much.Because your road are smoother. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by lch2 on 06/15/12 at 13:16:58 I think that I will use it only if I remove the front fender, as I think it needs something to hold them together |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by WD on 06/15/12 at 13:17:30 I've ridden bikes with and bikes without. The longer the fork tubes the more noticeable the difference. Even with its puny fork tubes, the front end on our bikes isn't very flexible. The springs on the other hand are pretty light. So it might help balance out side to side rate differences. Want a real difference? Get a steering stabilizer. Not cheap but worth every penny on rough roads, especially with primitive hydraulic forks. Side by side, my 1963 Honda's fork are more advanced than those on my 1998 Savage. You can find good stabilizers at shops that handle cafe racer parts. Try www.fastfromthepast.com for a good starting point. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Dave Sisk on 06/15/12 at 14:07:03 180B4F0 wrote:
Hi-jacking my own thread... ;D ...but what's a steering stabilizer? Dave |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by 360k+ on 06/15/12 at 14:46:53 I've seen different methods, but most employ a tiny shock absorber connected between one fork only and the frame. It dampens the steering as the shock takes up small jerks and vibrations caused by the road. It also gives the steering a kind of squishy liquid feel from side to side. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Serowbot on 06/15/12 at 15:44:25 It's kinda' like those things that stop big office doors from slamming... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Shindy_Daytona_steering_damper_on_2006_Sport1000.jpg/220px-Shindy_Daytona_steering_damper_on_2006_Sport1000.jpg Hmmmm?... a DIY office door steering stabilizer... :-/... |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Cavi Mike on 06/15/12 at 16:23:51 6F6C6D606278010 wrote:
That looks RIDICULOUS and totally wrong. From what I understand is that the brace is to prevent the individual forks from getting out of sync with each other. Without the brace, the only thing keeping the forks at the same position is the axle, which is pretty friggin' small. A steel fender will do the trick but a plastic fender on a sportbike? Not-so-much. I've seen plenty of companies that sell products, even very popular products, that have no idea what they do. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by arteacher on 06/15/12 at 16:39:34 As a bit of an aside here, I have noticed no difference since removing the SuperBrace and installing the rake kit. I suspect it has something to do with the extra width (the new trees are about 4" wider than the old ones) providing a wider stance, the heavier fork tubes, and the progressive springs. I was all ready to buy a T=Kat, but I don't think I need one. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Greg on 06/18/12 at 18:30:40 So I gather that if I relace my front wheel to a 21" and lose the fender, I should get some sort of brace? I didn't realize the fender did anything aside from keep the crap off my engine. |
|
Title: Re: What is a fork brace, and why would I need one Post by Starlifter on 06/18/12 at 20:40:23 I have the super brace and I sure can sure tell the difference. At slow speeds the "squirreleness" in the steering is 100% gone. |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |