Easy XS fork brace

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

OK Crazy's

OK, just a poll, how many of you XS1100 owners have been saved by this kind of brace I mean really, how many are James Dean rock hard bike ridding, push it to the limit, saved by a fork brace kinda riders I would bet, if any were honest, the stock set up is more then enough to handle your baddest ridding days If you were a bad ass cannon racer, you would be ridding a different bike

[Schming]

Scored...

...this last week off the 'bay
It's adjustable for either the Special or the Standard by adding or removing the spacers.

[old_skool]

That makes me wonder, how many of us have gotten into a bidding war against each other on the bay, and if we would have known ahead of time it was a fellow member would we have conceded or prefer to be anonymous for our own ability to get what we want....its not like we can tell who we're bidding against as flea-bay now hides identities. I think most here would probably concede as I've seen generosity knows no bounds by many here, but as human nature goes, not all share the same values...makes you wonder.

[old_skool]

...this last week off the 'bay
It's adjustable for either the Special or the Standard by adding or removing the spacers.

by the way, nice score, I missed that one, was it a lot cheaper than t-kat's? I see another one of those on there, but they want $80+$10 for ship

[James England]

OK, just a poll, how many of you XS1100 owners have been saved by this kind of brace I mean really, how many are James Dean rock hard bike ridding, push it to the limit, saved by a fork brace kinda riders I would bet, if any were honest, the stock set up is more then enough to handle your baddest ridding days If you were a bad ass cannon racer, you would be ridding a different bike

The XS1100 doesn't need to be ridden as you've described above in order to benefit from a fork brace. In fact, I've found on the four XS1100's that I've owned that a fork brace is a definite plus at any speed at all. Basically, the forks can try to 'walk' (try it with your fingers) and do so in response to potholes in the road, uneven surfaces, cambers in the road etc. It's not a speed thing which 'saves' you from catastrophe. The fork tubes are thin diameter compared to modern bikes and the fork brace which is an integral part of the front fender is thin. It's also a rust point on the fender and they get corroded. Even when new, they flex (if you remove the fender you can flex it with your hands, to and fro). So, fitting a fork brace reduces that walking/flexing and makes the bike more stable at any speed. Hitting a sunken manhole cover at 30mph becomes less hazardous, the bars are less likely to wobble in response to hitting a lump in the road etc.

The first thing I've ever done on my XS1100's is to fit a fork brace, usually Micron or Telefix and they do make a difference, even for relatively calm riders like me......

[STEPPENWOLF]

So, we're saying this one is "less than ideal"?

I installed that kind from CC Products back in '81 and as far as I remember it was the only one avaliable at the time.

[James England]

I installed that kind from CC Products back in '81 and as far as I remember it was the only one avaliable at the time.

I think I'd describe it as "very ungainly"

[STEPPENWOLF]

I think I'd describe it as "very ungainly"

Thinking back I probably thought the same thing when I put it on
But 31 years later I can't picture my bike without it
Weather it does any good or not...I don't remember from the stock set up.
It may have been one of those all in the mind deals..I spent the money and so it has to work but I don't ride hard anymore,I just take it easy and don't care what the bike looks like as long as it is reliable

[natemoen]

...this last week off the 'bay
It's adjustable for either the Special or the Standard by adding or removing the spacers.

That is the brace I have, although it does not say ATK on it anymore. Never knew who made the thing, now I know!

[Schming]

Atk

Oldskool, If I hadn't won the ATK for about $ 87.00 shipped I was fully prepared to order one of TKats braces. IMHO I wouldn't pay over $ 80.00 or $ 90.00 for a good used fork brace.

Natemoen, I wouldn't have purchased this if I hadn't read XS Eleven Heaven, as it is what Bob Jones used, so I guess We have a pretty good brace

[natemoen]

Even better that I only payed $30 for the brace a set of front and rear floorboards, and something else that I can't remember!

Not to brag....

[Schming]

ATK on the 'bay...

by the way, nice score, I missed that one, was it a lot cheaper than t-kat's? I see another one of those on there, but they want $80+$10 for ship

...is a 48mm and my '80G forks measure 57mm. I don't have anything in the Man Cave that'll fit.

About bidding against another member of the site, on the Atk brace I probably would've conceded 'cause TKats is a nicer looking brace and not much more than I paid, If there was some possible code...Oh I know end all bids with .11 cents.

However, a couple years back I stumbled upon these:



...that weren't described quite like they should've been and I would'nt have conceded on something as rare as Skettis

[old_skool]

...Oh I know end all bids with .11 cents.

Can't, ebay only increases your bid to the next max level, whether it's 5 cents or 50. And I know no one will annouce what they're bidding for fear of someone hoarding in, paranoid bunch aren't we...
My latest ebay score-->

[jetmechmarty]

how many of you XS1100 owners have been saved by this kind of brace

As James pointed out, it's just an impovement. I really noticed how flexible the forks are, after installation of Race-Tech emulators. Every improvement you make on this (or any) bike leads you to another shortcoming. It will never be perfect, but it's certainly OK to make it better, at least enough until it satisfies you.

[Schming]

Can't, ebay only increases your bid to the next max level, whether it's 5 cents or 50. And I know no one will annouce what they're bidding for fear of someone hoarding in, paranoid bunch aren't we...
My latest ebay score-->

I beleive You're correct on the bidding increments sooo...uhh...maybe bid in mutiples of 11 e.g. 11.50 , 22.50 , 33.50 , etc.

Nice score by the way! A couple years back I found a NOS rack / backrest (low), on the bay that still has the factory Yamaha sticker on it for my '80G.
I'll be putting my old rack and some other bits and peices in the 4 sale section soon.

Oops Sorry TucmanXJ didn't mean to get off topic or hijack your thread