TKAT Forkbrace on an XJ???

[Elevener]

I don't plan on riding like that much any more, so I'll stick to stock. I'm getting tired of trying to replace the 30 year old bits of the bike I break and grind off when I crash.

Ill believe that when I hear about it.

[motoman]

Ben, you'll notice the difference right away!........even leaving a stop sign and turning a corner. Reaction of the front increased incredibly. Just a test as is.....put the scoot on the centerstand, grab the left bar standing beside it and sharply jerk it back and forth while watching the front of fender and front of tire. That seperate movement of both is TOTAlly eliminated with the TKat brace! On top of that, the slider guides in top of fork tubes recieve less wear(another unobtanium) and tire wear is more even and reduces the cupping, some of which can't be helped with the front braking even though yours is linked. Stability is beyond comparison in windy conditions, specially with a fairing mounted or large widshield. With the leading front forks like the Specials, likely be the same fork brace.

[madmax-im]

Thanks Brant and everyone else for your input...looks like $95 will be well spent...gonna pull the trigger on this item tmrw. Looks to be as easy an installation as one could ask for... Oh and Brant I'd have to remove the exhaust to re-install the centerstand......

[motoman]

Oh and Brant I'd have to remove the exhaust to re-install the centerstand......

Bummer...................mean to tell me you didn't put that nice original XJ system you had back on the bike.......shame on you......double shame if you sold it.....

[jetmechmarty]

My TKAT brace has only a couple of millimeters clearance on the fender. I expect it won't fit the XJ without swapping to a XS fender. I'm pretty sure that's going to be the case.

[trbig]

I talked to that Tkat guy in emails a while back, and he told me at that time that the XJ was a bit different height than the XS. Someone might take some measuerments.


OR.... I can't do it today since I'm not home, but I've got the Tkat brace on my '81 special. I can try to put it on the XJ and see if it's going to fit.

[madmax-im]

I talked to that Tkat guy in emails a while back, and he told me at that time that the XJ was a bit different height than the XS. Someone might take some measuerments.


OR.... I can't do it today since I'm not home, but I've got the Tkat brace on my '81 special. I can try to put it on the XJ and see if it's going to fit.

sure I can wait...no rush to spend 95 bucks to find out its a no go..

[madmax-im]

Bummer...................mean to tell me you didn't put that nice original XJ system you had back on the bike.......shame on you......double shame if you sold it.....

Oh that? I never got it...have a badassed kerker on there now...and love it...worth not having the CS on there. My feeling is that what Steve and Marty said about the possibility of needing an xs fender to get it fit right...might be how to go here...hope not

[Poprock]

Maximan had a TKAT brace on Godzilla. Seems like I remember him having to run a Special front fender. Worked great, and he pushed the performance envelope.

[madmax-im]

Maximan had a TKAT brace on Godzilla. Seems like I remember him having to run a Special front fender. Worked great, and he pushed the performance envelope.

Hmmm I do believe you're right...didnt think I'd be the 1st one to do it...A special fender from any yr?

[jetmechmarty]

A Special fender from any year or any model except XS650 or XS400.

I say forget the brace for now and go to emulators and straight rate springs.

[madmax-im]

A Special fender from any year or any model except XS650 or XS400.

I say forget the brace for now and go to emulators and straight rate springs.

please elaborate further...as I am ignorant about emulators and straight rate springs...

[WSL91]

Just got an email back from tkat...says that the brace for the special is the one to get...so looks like maybe I'll be the 1st XJ owner to do this?? I doubt it but ya never know

I'm thinking about it too. Would like to see how it turns out

[jetmechmarty]

I did it to mine, and it's like a new bike! I've been tweaking it after speaking to Matt Wiley of Race-Tech. Here's what they are: http://www.racetech.com/page/title/Emulators

I spent a good bit of money making errors. I would recommend you call Traxxion Dynamics. 770-592-3823 They did my springs. To do it over I would have them set up the whole thing. They deal in Race-Tech's emulators and sell them cheaper than Race-Tech does. You can have a new front suspension for the price of an inexpensive pair of shocks. (Their website won't tell you this) The only thing it won't fix is the spindly forks. TKAT helps that a good bit, but doesn't cure the shortcomings entirely.

As soon as I drove 100 yards, I could feel the difference, especially braking.

[Eveready1100]

I don't know if they have the same guard as an XJ, but the XS1100RH's have the same forks. Here's a snap of the TKat Special brace fitted to Steptoes RH. Fitted straight on and he keeps raving about the handling benefits.