TKAT's fork brace

[jetmechmarty]

I used to go like stink without one!


It's way better now! To be fair, the upgrade included .95KG/cm springs and Race-Tech emulators. These made the brace a requirement.

[flyingdakota]

Can't wait to get my Tkats!

Ordering mine today....will post pics and report!
Cheers!
Tim

[MPittma100]

Fork Brace

I just put one of these on my SG. If you want your bike to handle like a sport bike you NEED one of these.

As many of you already know the XS11 has notoriously spindly fork tubes for a bike as big and heavy as it is. Feeling a scary wobble in the front end when you dive into the curves? The Tkat fork brace is the remedy.

Wobble???? My 1978E that I bought new back in the day, that had no fork brace, would wobble pretty noticeably at 125 MPH (straight line) unless I leaned down behind the handle bars??? What's up with that?

All kidding aside, I did put TKAT's brace on my Special (no other fork mods). I like it.

Mike

[BA80]

It's a weight distribution thing Mike. There's a video on it somewhere if I can find it.

When the bike does that if you lean forward it'll stop. It can be adjusted out with suspension. I used to have it on my SG but with the XJ shocks and fairing ect. ect. it has gone away.

[motoman]

Road pegs, throwing a bit of your leg weight forward helps stability of bike in nasty crosswinds also.

[BA80]

Here's that video......

http://youtu.be/fvsDIq3WwVA

[madmax-im]

That was a cool video on leaning forward Greg...Murray Walker's bike is a beaut...no doubt thats a vintage film...LOL
So humor me if you will...i cant hear the audio but is that weave/wobble shown at high speeds?...it looked like it was...how fast do you have to go to induce such a weave/wobble?...I have never experienced this in 30+ yrs of riding an XJ/XS...

[BA80]

Hey Ben! Did you ever get anything done on the suspension of The Swamp Thing?

[madmax-im]

Hey Ben! Did you ever get anything done on the suspension of The Swamp Thing?

Ok I know you had an accident but i didnt think it affected your memory... Oh actually we didnt talk about it last year at the XSSE rally but I went with new progressive fork springs and 15w oil up front...bike already has Telefix fork brace...out back my shocks were fine...i had bad Continental rear tire that I replace with a Shinko712 and that cured the unstable weaving and bobbing when leaned over...unfortunately you wiped out early on in the rally and thus we never had a chance to ride together...the bike handled flawlesly and doing the Cherohala and Foothills Pkwy was a blast.

[BA80]

I still think you would like the handling and especially the old dude cush ride with the Venturer air forks and XJ air shocks.

I had a set of Standard shocks on the back of my SG for a while, I thought they were gonna make me loose my kidneys.

I saved those Venturer forks I was going to put on my E when I sold it. I'm going to put them on ebay for $125 plus shipping but I would make a friend a deal.

They are in pretty much perfect shape.

XJ shocks are just slightly longer than the XS, like 1/2" but they ride like a Cadillac on the highway and keep the rear tire glued to the twisties.

[madmax-im]

so my question...How fast does one have to go in order to induce the type of weave/wobble as seen in the video???????

[jetmechmarty]

so my question...How fast does one have to go in order to induce the type of weave/wobble as seen in the video???????

Put a 50 lb weight on the luggage rack. Add weight nowhere else. You might get it and 65 mph. There are a lot of variables, Ben. It comes down to your suspension, how the bike is loaded, and maintenance items.

[madmax-im]

Interesting ...Thanks Marty...in all these years i have never experienced such a weave/wobble...My XJ was setup pretty good from the factory...I did add a TKAT forkbrace but i really did not notice a dramatic improvement like others have...so i attribute that to the XJ's airforks and rear airshocks...I did notice that when leaned into a corner at speed i was able to maintain a tighter line and have a bit more stability...after the TKAT was added...

[madmax-im]

BTW TKAT's product quality is first rate...finely machined and can be polished up real nice and shiny...if you so desire...The man always gets confused about the forkbrace for the XJ as it is not the same as either the STD or Special...so after sending me the wrong sized brace he recalled what it was and sent me the correct one...it took all of 5 mins to install and it looked great..still wish i could get that bike back...

[madmax-im]

I still think you would like the handling and especially the old dude cush ride with the Venturer air forks and XJ air shocks.

I had a set of Standard shocks on the back of my SG for a while, I thought they were gonna make me loose my kidneys.

I saved those Venturer forks I was going to put on my E when I sold it. I'm going to put them on ebay for $125 plus shipping but I would make a friend a deal.

They are in pretty much perfect shape.

XJ shocks are just slightly longer than the XS, like 1/2" but they ride like a Cadillac on the highway and keep the rear tire glued to the twisties.

I know you're right...miss the handling of my XJ...