Tkat Fork Brace

[RiskyBusiness]

Re: Tech Tips

Originally posted by Jerry
Several of you are relatively new to the XS/XJ. You should spend some time reading the Tech Tips section of this site and check the links to off-site articles as well.

This link deals with upgrading the XS/XJ suspension:

http://facstaff.uww.edu/fieldsj/mcycle/XS_Suspension.html

The XS/XJ suspension was OK when new, not outstanding, but age has taken its toll. There are several upgrades you can make, including the famous Tkat Fork Brace, and a few other tricks that will make your bike handle better as well. Check out the article for some ideas.

Jerry, thanks for the reminder on that link.

Those of you running progressive front springs, where do you buy them? What's the model number and what price?

[dAMIAn-78]

Originally posted by Lord Grizzlon
You're not the only odd-ball with this being their first bike. Go big or go home!!

My sentiments exactly! I got mine last summer for $700, all i did was change all fluids and rear brake pads. The bike seems super reliable. And for a 20 year old bike is in surprisingly good shape.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/lurkking1/lst?.dir=/Various+Pics&.view=t

I can never get these links to work, I might as well try again.

[sixtysix]

Originally posted by dAMIAn-78


My sentiments exactly! I got mine last summer for $700, all i did was change all fluids and rear brake pads. The bike seems super reliable. And for a 20 year old bike is in surprisingly good shape.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/lurkking1/lst?.dir=/Various+Pics&.view=t

I can never get these links to work, I might as well try again.

You play UT in Inhuman mode....remind me not to play you!

[dAMIAn-78]

I guess the pics work. Wow, someone actually recognized the game.:up: I'm average and sometimes damn good, but I get spanked just the same..

About the bike, since that pic I have changed the bars to cafe style, painted the fenders, painted the rims, added a black Jardine 4-1 exhaust, tires and the Tkat fork brace. The bars change the whole look of the bike IMO.

[schpiff]

ok..I give..UT?...just finished half-life....

[Jerry]

Small bikes = fun

Don't wnat to get to controversial here, but if you really want to lean to handle a bike, get yourself a 125 or 250 dirt bike and get out and throw some mud around.....

As much as I like my XJ, for some types of riding it is just to big. I also owned a 550-4 Honda and my much-appreciated Yamaha XS400 Maxim twin. Light, agile, easy to ride, park, and good on gas. Fun to ride. The XJ beats them hands down for acceleration and long-haul comfort, but if you have not owned/ridden a smaller bike or a dirt bike, you are missing a lot of fun.

[sixtysix]

Originally posted by schpiff
ok..I give..UT?...just finished half-life....

UT = Unreal Tournament, I spent MOST of last winter (a year ago) playing that and Quake III Arena. This year it's been Medal Of Honor and Return to Castle Wolfenstien. UT 2003 is out, I have played some but it is more of the same from UT.

[Snow]

Wow, there are other gamers in the XS family? Heh, someone should start an xs11 gaming clan

[beechfront]

i played medal of honor for about two months straight this winter.

[capocrimini]

In the last 3 months, I have cruised through RTCW, Hitman2, Mafia-City of Lost Heaven(bigtime recommend here), and...well, I guess that's it. Played UT for awhile, don't like UT 2003. I'm waiting for Thief 3 to get here!! Played and loved 1 and 2, and am a big fan of Need For Speed (except Hot Pursuit 2, it went back to an Arcade style physics, as opposed to improving on the almost lifelike simulator physics of Porsche Unleashed).

Beechfront, the XS1100 was a DOHC 8v horizontal 4. I think a lot of the differences between more modern renditions have to do w/ the 16v heads, more radical cams, possibly larger valves, ram air induction(on the sport bikes), and just general improvements in efficiency that newer technology provides.
78-81 XS11--95hp
79-81 or 82 GS1100--102-105hp(somewhere in there)
83 GS1150E--119hp
Just an example of the ranges of H4's in the early 80's. Below is some bike's with the V4 configuration

83-84 V65--116hp
85 V65--121hp
85 Vmax-119hp
mid 90's Vmax up to 145hp
Late 90's Royal Star and Royal Star Venture 1300cc V4--98hp

Then mentioned before was an example of the sport bikes, w/ King 'busa leading the speed pack w/ ~150hp(153 to be exact I think). ZX12 is 156hp, with the ZX10's of the late 80's reaching 150hp. As early as '85 w/ Yamaha's FZ750, smaller engines were up to and above 102hp. A late 90's GSXR750 would be around 112hp. A good resource to look stuff like this up is MCreports.com under the Motorcycle Reports section.

[Jerry]

Just a comment.

The shaft drive arrangement used on the XS/XJ and some other bikes absorbes more HP than a chain drive. Chain drives are more eficient at transfering power. Therefore, the performance difference is greater than the raw HP numbers indicate. Given about equal ratings, the chain drives will generally be faster, at least in acceleration, than the shaftie.

The XS/XJ partialy compensates for this by having a motor that runs 'backwards' from other inline 4s, which helps put more power to the ground. Chain drive pulls the wheel up, shaft drive pushes the wheel down. This helps 1/4 mile times, and is one of the reasons the XS was, for a short time, the fastest 1/4 mile production bike available.

[sam_cg_cook]

Back to the topic.....

When did you guys order your FB's from TKAT?..... just curious... I ordered mine in Feb, when I bought the bike...which, yes... is my first ever as well.... and I guess I'm wondering if his list is just that long, or whether he lost my info.... or what?!

[Snow]

It took about 7 or 8 months from me asking to be put on the list to paying for and receiving my brace last week. But let me tell ya, it is definately worth it - no longer do I fear the ripple!

[RiskyBusiness]

Re: Back to the topic.....

Originally posted by sam_cg_cook
When did you guys order your FB's from TKAT?..... just curious... I ordered mine in Feb, when I bought the bike...which, yes... is my first ever as well.... and I guess I'm wondering if his list is just that long, or whether he lost my info.... or what?!

If I were you I would follow up with tkat. I got an email from him this morning saying, "7 left, 5 promised, 1st come, 1st served." I mailed him a check this morning for a brace for a Special.

He does this just because he is a good guy. At $85 he can't be making any money on these. I would follow up and see if he misplaced your order.

[xssiveone]

Just a further note on Tkat. His wife has had some very serious health problems as of late and he has been very busy because of it. If he said he had a brace for you, then I am sure he has it. Life has just gotten in his way for the moment.