TKAT Forkbrace on an XJ???

[madmax-im]

heres the latest...tkat saw all the pics I sent and then he recalls that neither the Special nor The Std bike are the correct application for the F/B... he has to make one specifically for the XJ... and its not $95 but $150...so I'd have to send him another $55... and return the F/B he sent...
So I'm taking it I'm the only one with an XJ that has had a problem getting tkat to 1)remember whats correct and 2) getting to me the correct parts... Not sure what to do but I think I'll go ahead and pay up the other $ and get the damn thing....

[crazy steve]

If you could come up with a Special front fender, I'll bet that type brace would fit as that's the only difference.... Save you $55....

The Special fender is quite a bit lighter too, so that would be some unsprung weight off the bike.

[madmax-im]

If you could come up with a Special front fender, I'll bet that type brace would fit as that's the only difference.... Save you $55....

The Special fender is quite a bit lighter too, so that would be some unsprung weight off the bike.

Oh good point Steve...well I have the rest of this week to ponder what to do...I might be able to find a special fender locally...

[KA1J]

Too bad, I had just made an order with him and he notified me of the $150 for the brace instead of the $95. I told him to cancel the order. As much as I'd like it, I just can't see paying that much & especially as I'm out of work at the moment. To get the regular XS variety brace & then pay someone for their Special fender & the shipping, I'd be back up to the $150 so I'm just going to have to do without.

Maybe I'll just get the regular brace and hammer down my fender to match.

Kidding... Maybe I can find some thick aluminum spacers or cut some aluminum round stock and make tight fitting spacers and insert them as "legs". Probably would work & if I drilled a couple holes through both bracket and spacer I could pound in a slip pin to hold them steady as a back-up to help prevent any motion.

If I do, that'll be down the road.

[Lonerider62]

I can remember that even back in the 80's when these bikes were currrent, they had handling problems when pushed and fork braces were one of the most common remedies, or at least improvements. When a person compares the 37mm fork tues of the XS 1100 bikes to the 43mm, or larger tubes, on inverted forks at that, it's no wonder trying to play knee-dragger on these things isn't an easy task. Although I don't consider my 80 Special a performance bike, once the tires and shocks are set up, it still can be quite sporty as long as it's limits are recognized.

[madmax-im]

well anyone who knows me knows I am not always cheap and if I want something and can afford it...I'll get it. Its kinda like the glass is half full so another $55 aint too big a deal. Now if I wasnt working then this thread wouldnt even be here...but at this point I think I'd rather have tne F/B made for this bike rather than replace the front fender to make this one work,anyway you slice it..its been a PITA when it shouldn't have to be...

[jetmechmarty]

I think it might be challenging to find a Special fender for sale that's as nice as your bike. You should have gone with the $460 option.

[Axel]

XJ content

Following this thread with interest . Go for it Ben !

[madmax-im]

I think it might be challenging to find a Special fender for sale that's as nice as your bike. You should have gone with the $460 option.

Well as much as I pay out the big bucks for stuff this one is just a bit out of reach right now...I will rebuild the front forks but not upgrade...that will be down the road a ways...and its more like $500+ when you add in shipping...I only ride this bike...on average a few thousand miles a year...so I cant justify spending that much on it...when I have another bike and other more pressing priorities...

[madmax-im]

Following this thread with interest . Go for it Ben !

Hey Alex...where you been??? Good to see you post here...you coming to XSNorth? I plan to be there....

[motoman]

Maybe I'll just get the regular brace and hammer down my fender to match.

Brace fork leg pieces don't interchange. The Standard fork legs are a couple millimeters smaller than the Special fork legs at he clamped area.

[KA1J]

Brace fork leg pieces don't interchange. The Standard fork legs are a couple millimeters smaller than the Special fork legs at he clamped area.

Thanks Moto, I didn't know that.

[madmax-im]

Update!!!

Got the correct tkat forkbrace and its on the bike...took it out for a test ride and the front forks are much improved in stability at speeds where before I was getting vibes now its not as pronounced.

[Axel]

Sweet

Right on . I can see one of those in my future !

[KA1J]

Beautiful photos and... I have one of the Stibel Nautilus Air Horns too!

Loud little suckah And the brace looks great!