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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fork Brace Recommendations /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1469455058 Message started by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 06:57:38 |
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Title: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 06:57:38 I didn't see a list of suggestions in the tech section so I am posting here (versus a PM) so others can also benefit from the discussion. Dave and MM encouraged me to get a fork brace which I think I will do. Considering my bike is structurally stock (not a cafe or rebuild of any kind) what is a decent, inexpensive, and somewhat slimline and not obnoxious fork brace that would be good for me just to add a little stability? 90% of my riding is mostly flat-ish with no "twisties" to speak of other than my 2-3 trips/year to the Dragon for the weekend. Thanks! |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by KennyG on 07/25/16 at 07:04:01 Stew, I like the T-Kat fork brace. It does what it is supposed to do and was not awfully expensive. I am sure I purchased it from a guy here on the Savage forum. Kenny G |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 07/25/16 at 07:31:53 http://www.tkat.com/forkbrace.html He makes them when he has enough interest. so send him an email and so interest. Here's another one and it been a long time coming... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1429822904/6#6 |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/25/16 at 07:45:51 I really like how the TKat looks on bobbers, but a stock bike , IMO, looks better with a more streamlined look. The Superbrace was on mine, but DANG , they cost a lot.. I will probably be getting a T Kat when I get it home. Maybe together we can inspire him to get the equipment set up.. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 12:49:50 Yeah, that superbrace looks nice and sleek. I tried to get my brother to make me a brace, but since I think ours needs the hump to clear the fender it doesn't look like he can. He said he has some 3/8 and 1/2 aluminum and a waterjet and can easily craft it sans the hump. I'm still trying to see if I can work around the hump issue for him to make one. From your experience and knowledge, will a straight fork brace work at all on our bikes if it is positioned correctly (high enough)? |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by KennyG on 07/25/16 at 13:01:12 Stew, Telephone SuperBrace they will probably have pictures of their products installed. The SuperBrace is pretty neat looking, but the T-Kat does the job. As I recall the SuperBrace is usually back ordered. Kenny |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/25/16 at 13:32:20 If he can cut, he can hump. Look at how TKat is done. Three pieces. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 07/25/16 at 13:34:49 I think most people would want an old style U shaped brace. Based on the designs I see, main functionality of the braces is too keep the tops equal distant apart. Some twisting too. But as far as anything else, no as they are too slim. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/25/16 at 13:48:04 Yeah, I am not hammering on the bike day in and day out, which is why I am not too keen on spending $200+ on the superbrace. It looks great, but that's a bit much for my riding style. If I can get my brother to cut one, even if it is somewhat simple in design and not beefy, it's better than what i have been riding with for the last 4 years! |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/26/16 at 06:45:54 I emailed Tkat to see what his situation is. Still working with my brother to see what we can some up with. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by Dave on 07/26/16 at 07:08:19 If you keep your front fender intact....the fork brace most likely isn't mandatory. The fender does bolt in a way that reinforces the forks, and it is a strong fender. MMRanch and Oldfeller don't use a fork brace, and you don't see them wobbling around in the curves while they are dragging their pegs! If you remove your stock fender, or use one that doesn't provide much reinforcement - then a fork brace is probably a good idea. Would you notice a change if you added one? Most likely you wouldn't notice any change on your commute to work - maybe a small difference on the Cherohala or Dragon ride. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/16 at 07:19:34 I noticed a change. But I definitely pushed it. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/16 at 07:34:20 depends on the road and how you ride. you don't need it for riding smooth roads at the dragon 8-) you need it for riding I5 :o |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/16 at 07:49:27 Smooth roads? A blind passenger knows when the road goes from Gregg to Upshur county. The Gregg county roads are better, but I don't know if Smooth is exactly what I would call it. And that left hand, off camber sweeper that pitches the bike up and down is Gregg county. It will be interesting to see how this new, older bike handles it. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/26/16 at 07:57:36 Thanks for the input. I definitely intend to keep the front stock front fender intact since I like the stock look (along with my stock petcock :o). If my brother wants to make a science project out of this (and he usually does...much worse than me) maybe we'll work something up just for giggles. Otherwise it sounds like I am in pretty good shape with the stock fender. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by KennyG on 07/26/16 at 09:44:11 Stew, Where I found the T-Kat brace of most benefit is on roads that have the asphalt snakes running the same direction as the roadway. In North Texas that is virtually every road that I ride on. Before I had a lot of wiggle on the snakes, after no perceivable wiggle. Kenny G |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by Paladin. on 07/26/16 at 17:18:59 http://savageriders.com/paladin/images/Rides/GasStop1.jpg T-Kat is functional, the Superbrace is smoother. Both do the same job. I don't push the bike, but definitely noticed the bike was stabler with the brace. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/16 at 17:29:36 Mine was so stable I stopped using the sidestand when the wind wasn't over twenty MPH. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by old.indian on 07/26/16 at 17:40:27 5F4046415C5B6A5A6A52404C07350 wrote:
I see that you neglected to take your meds AGAIN... |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/26/16 at 18:44:48 I'll get back on them First thing in the morning Chief, Scouts Honor... |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/26/16 at 19:55:47 So it looks like to install the tkat we have to remove the plastic fork shields, right? I was out measuring my forks per the tkat measure guide and it seems like the shields cover up the area that I need some measurements on but I don't want to just rip them off. Is there a way to remove the shields safely or do I have to cut a slit in the back so I can peel them off? Also, did those of you that got the tkat have to give detailed measurements or just your make, model, year and he took care of it? Said he has been making these for 30 years so I want to think he has a stockpile of measurements and knows what he's doing. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 07/26/16 at 20:04:26 I understand someone knocked them off with a piece of wood. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/26/16 at 20:15:23 3B283F3E212C2A28237C4D0 wrote:
You're not referring to jog`s head are you? |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by old.indian on 07/26/16 at 20:23:05 737465776D696C6C73000 wrote:
You're not referring to jog`s head are you?[/quote] Indubitably .... 8-) |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by KennyG on 07/26/16 at 20:36:43 Stew, I just told him I had a 2013 S40 and he shipped the correct fork brace. I split the seal protectors with a brand new utility knife blade and I could contact cement them back on if I ever removed the fork brace. If you buy the brace make sure you cover the fender with cardboard when doing the installation to prevent scratching the paint. Off topic, I am now using your rubber thingy on my rear wheel. I had a flat tire on an almost new rear tire on a hundred degree day..... Kenny G |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by Dave on 07/27/16 at 03:37:12 Yep....a small block of wood with a nice square corner, and a tap from a hammer will knock them out of the retaining grooves. You will have to work your way around before you drive any one side up very far. Work them up a little at a time. Then....you need to decide if you want to cut them off so they aren't dangling around - or remove the fork tubes from the triple clamp so you can save the shields. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 07/27/16 at 05:35:35 Thanks folks! That makes me feel better as I was not sure I was measuring very well. I'll probably cut the shields off delicately to save them...I don't want to have to start taking apart the forks, etc. KennyG, I hope the shim is working well for you. Hate to hear about the flat. I had a new rear last year with about 600 miles on it and picked up a nail. Rode too far to feel safe with the damage to the tire and had to buy a new tire and tube. :( |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 12:28:15 So I got my TKAT in the mail today. For those that have had to remove the fork guards, did you just use a piece of wood like this (see image) and give it a few whacks at the bottom lip of the plastic and it will then jump out of the groove? My goal is to carefully split it down the middle (backside) to remove it from the fork so if I ever need to, I can snap it back on with a little glue and it still look nice. I thought cutting it first with a utility knife right there in the groove but I am trying to avoid scoring a line in the fork...and my hand :o Thanks! |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 08/11/16 at 12:44:55 I found an image with the fork protectors removed. It shows a locating notch on the inside next to the fender. I think that's where I'd go after it. Remove the fender, and wheel, put the wood there and give it a smack. At least, this would be a hidden place in case YOU screw up. ;D http://www.bikepics.com/pics/2011/01/11/bikepics-2130277-800.jpg |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 12:59:32 Now...these are reportedly from a 1987, but I see no indents? I presume it is different on the 2008 model? |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 08/11/16 at 13:41:46 The savage didn't get fork protectors till after... maybe '04? |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 13:54:32 Lookie Lookie! I think this 'splains it! |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 08/11/16 at 14:15:43 hope that's yours 8-) |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 14:25:16 Nope, but I think it should look just like it. I will be sure to take pics so we can have a little how-to for the tech section....how to remove these as well as installing the fork brace. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/11/16 at 20:08:09 Got the fork protectors off. Just a little nudge with a piece of wood working slowly around all sides and it eases off. The indent is very shallow, and the "notch" on the fender side of the right fork and outside of the left fork is to center the protector...otherwise it would spin in the indent. As long as the protectors are centered, and they should be, they will ease off without issue. I'll post a brief guide with pics for the tech section later along with some pics and guide to installing my TKAT brace. . |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by verslagen1 on 08/11/16 at 21:35:10 great, glad it worked for you. |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/12/16 at 08:29:31 Instructions on fork protector removal posted in the tech section forum: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1471015706/0#0 |
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Title: Re: Fork Brace Recommendations Post by stewmills on 08/12/16 at 09:09:20 Instructions on the TKAT fork brace install (with fork protector removal included) posted in the tech section. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1471017987/0#0 |
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