NEW TKAT Fork Brace

[GhostWolf]

New owner/member here, 1980 XS1100G bought over Labor Day, with a question.

Will this brace fit my G with the KYB forks? If so, who would I need to contact about pricing/ordering one?

Starting to slowly replace things here and there on the old girl and one thing I do notice is the flex in the front end, especially with having a Windjammer on it. Still debating about taking it off, though I did buy this bike for long rides. I have a bar hopper for back and forth to work.

[Tat2demon]

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showpost.p...54&postcount=9

[MPittma100]

Forks

Is the fork brace a necessity for the Standards as well?

MP

[jetmechmarty]

Is the fork brace a necessity for the Standards as well?

MP

The necessity is all in the driver. Some will never notice it. For me, it came into play more after I did the custom springs and emulators. It's all in how you ride, but yes, it does improve the machine.

[crazy steve]

'Necessity'? No, not really although there will be some that disagree. Depending on how aggressive a rider you are, a fork brace can markedly improve handling, or if you're running a tour pack or other items that add weight it can help. These bikes were sold without them, so it's not like they're 'unsafe' without one.

The stock forks are pretty flimsy on all XSs, but that was typical of just about everything when these bikes were new. The brace will stiffen the forks a lot, but you may or may not notice the difference.

[GhostWolf]

Thanks for the link.

Upon checking the frame and motor serail number against the ones in the forum FAQ, it turns out I have a SG, not a G.

So I guess now I just need to figure out what forks I have, Showa or KYB.

Is there some way to identify the forks, either a number or mark on them?

[GhostWolf]

Sorry, went back through the thread and re-read post #15.

So, that tells me I have Showa forks. Yippee.

[crazy steve]

All the forks are Showa, it's the rear shocks that vary. To identify which forks you have (and don't depend on numbers, as too many of these bikes have had parts swapped over the years), look at the axle mount. If it's at the bottom of the fork tube, they're 'standard' forks. If the axle mounts on the leading edge (and the fork extends below the axle), they're 'Special' forks.

[motoman]

All the forks are Showa, it's the rear shocks that vary. To identify which forks you have (and don't depend on numbers, as too many of these bikes have had parts swapped over the years), look at the axle mount. If it's at the bottom of the fork tube, they're 'standard' forks. If the axle mounts on the leading edge (and the fork extends below the axle), they're 'Special' forks.

Exactly correct, the KYB's were on the rear, and in a heavier, more dampening adj. on the one year only touring Venturers along with the stock progressive coils up front.

[bikerphil]

All the forks are Showa

If you look at a pair of Standard forks, you will find a KYB sticker (if it is still there) on the inboard side down near the axle. I'll check my surplus parts and snap a pic.

[thibtyson]

I too just installed a Tkat Fork-Brace on my Midnight. Tkat was super quick getting it to me and it's really easy to install. I probably ride more aggressively than I should some days and I noticed a difference as soon as I sat on the bike after I installed it. So for me, the fork-brace makes a noticeable and performance enhancing difference. So far the best thing I have done to my bike.

[PapaBear1950]

How much do these cost?
I have one of this kind that came with bike.

[skids]

If you have a fork brace, why replace it? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it..."

[crazy steve]

How much do these cost?
I have one of this kind that came with bike.

I've seen this one before but don't recall the brand. Any of this type will do the job, the one pictured is the equal of the TKat brace if properly installed. The best one IMO is the Telefix, but it's out of production for the XS11 now...

[Rasputin]

It would be interesting to know the answer to your question as ebay and other venues list stuff differently and the name of your manufacturer may still exist. I do not know what it is but yes I am interested.