Cheapest price fork brace???

[Prisoner6]

It most certainly is the case..it's not cutting corners, as such, but it is a compromise between enhancements and cost. They have to make a bike which is sellable to their mass-market at an affordable price and therefore things which would enhance the bike are not necessarily included and things on the bike when it leaves the factory are not necessarily the best. It's a compromise between enhancements, therefore the manufacturing cost and the final selling price of the machine.

For example....in the 1970's and 80's, everyone I knew who bought a brand new Japanese bike nearly always removed the original Bridgestone tyres immediately because they were nowhere near as good as after-market ones available at the time. So, the bikes left the factory with tyres that were inferior to ones which they could have used. Most manufacturers, apart from Yamaha (who used Allen bolts) used rubbish metal cross head engine casing bolts which always got chewed up when trying remove them...the metal was soft.....but cheaper. Stainless steel would have been far better but not a single fastener on a bike that left the factory was ever stainless. Chrome thickness was the thinnest they could get away with and not as good as after-market chroming which is better when thicker, hence the Japanese bikes being notorious for rusting easily. Rubber brake pipes are inferior to braided stainless steel which are not fitted as standard. The XJR leaves the factory with a single diaphragm spring on the clutch which isn't as good as the six spring after-market conversion. OEM drive chains were not the best available. The XS1100 benefits from progressive front springs but these were not fitted as standard. Etc etc.

All of the above, and lots more besides, were done to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce the end price of the bike and therefore increase sales. It didn't sabotage sales. What would have sabotaged sales would be a far higher selling price which was beyond most people because the bikes were the very, very best they could be when they left the factory.

Re hard evidence of improvements, as opposed to the psychological ones you mentioned.... The XJR1300 is what bhp when it leave the factory? 105? On a modern Dyno, mine had 127bhp. It didn't leave the factory like that...

+1 You hit the nail dead-on the head, James. Best post so far ... there is always a compromise from the factory between "enhancements and cost", as you put it.

[b.walker5]

Me thinks many 'doth protest too much'. My comments were about MY opinion of a fork brace fitted to MY bike and MY opinion of that certainly hasn't changed. I didn't, and still don't, feel I needed to justify MY opinion to those with a different opinion, but from the indignation expressed by some, I think they expect me too. Good thing about freedom of speech is that we can disagree without fear of retribution.
I disagree. Plain and Simple.

James. Good on you for finding more horsepower. The question (rhetorical btw) now is Did you need it? I don't, and don't plan on looking for it. As far as I'm concerned its not lost.

[Prisoner6]

Me thinks many 'doth protest too much'. My comments were about MY opinion of a fork brace fitted to MY bike and MY opinion of that certainly hasn't changed. I didn't, and still don't, feel I needed to justify MY opinion to those with a different opinion, but from the indignation expressed by some, I think they expect me too. Good thing about freedom of speech is that we can disagree without fear of retribution.
I disagree. Plain and Simple.

James. Good on you for finding more horsepower. The question (rhetorical btw) now is Did you need it? I don't, and don't plan on looking for it. As far as I'm concerned its not lost.

My comment was in no way intended to be indignant towards your opinion. I was merely agreeing with James' post that there is, indeed, compromise on the manufacturers' part when these motorcycles leave the factory. Anyone is free to modify his/her motorcycle to the hilt, just as you are certainly free to keep yours bone stock if you wish. I, for one, love to see the variety of mods done to our Elevens, just as I enjoy seeing one painstakingly restored from the brink of death to bone stock condition. And I completely agree with your comment about freedom of speech.

By the way, how are you feeling these days? We would certainly like to have an update ...

[Bonz]

Never did I equate what I was saying in regards to the fork brace with a show bike. It goes without saying we all understand what that entails. I am strictly speaking of handling and ride qualities, so stick to that aspect and a fork brace is a win-win that any guy with a tool kit could remove when he gets to the show to boot. Geez...

I am still waiting for any down-side element the fork brace brings to the overall ride and handling...

[b.walker5]

I am still waiting for any down-side element the fork brace brings to the overall ride and handling...

Gonna be waiting a long time then. No one has said theres a down-side.

[TomB]

Added unsprung weight, it would be little compared to the unsprung weight already there but its still detrimental to handling.

[James England]

Added unsprung weight, it would be little compared to the unsprung weight already there but its still detrimental to handling.

Realistically though, it would be negligible. 250g or so wouldn't make any noticeable difference.....

[James England]

James. Good on you for finding more horsepower.

The point is, whether one needs or, better put, wants, more horsepower, the bike did not leave the factory like that. It wasnt the best it could be when it was made..because cost would have prohibited it. No corners cut, no sabotaging of sales, just a compromise.

I'm sure everyone understands that you personally are perfectly happy riding a totally original, unimproved or unchanged bike, exactly as it left the factory, and that's fine. But it's no good putting a point forward on a forum and then somehow wanting to remain above all comment.... It's not "howls of indignation." And asking rhetorical questions equals your wanting to make a point without getting a response. Or saying people are protesting too much. You made a point about manufacturers not "cutting corners" or "sabotaging sales" etc and people responded.

The bottom line is, you're happy riding your bike exactly as it left the factory, even down to the restricted inlet manifolds and retarded ignition. and that's fine. I personally am happy riding my XJR unrestricted, 30kg lighter, faster, more manoeuvrable and more responsive...but NOT original and certainly not as it left the factory. That's the great thing about bikes.....they cater for all tastes and meet a great variety of wants and needs...... vive la difference!

[jetmechmarty]

I enjoy sharing what I've done to my bike. Some improvements and some not so much. Show up at a rally and I might even let you give it a try. If we aren't sharing and paying attention, there isn't much point in coming here.

[b.walker5]

Since most of you completely missed the point of what I was saying there's nothing to be gained from further comment by me on this subject.

Over it. Out.

[trbig]

Wow.. 9 pages of appendage measuring, posturing, and arguments. So... What's the cheapest price fork brace?

[jetmechmarty]

So... What's the cheapest price fork brace?

$69.95 at Mike's XS.

[Prisoner6]

Does anyone know if the "fast from the past" brace will fit both Standards and Specials?

[jetmechmarty]

Fast From the Past sells Tarozzi fork braces. They have one for the standard, and another for the Special.

For standard:


For Special:

[Prisoner6]

Thanks, Marty ... From Kyle's original post, it didn't look like it would fit a Special, but then again he does have an F, after all - guess I should have looked more closely at the website.