fork flex

[wjw11teen]

i know these bikes need a fork brace,but holy smokes they have alot of fork flex!

if i hold the front tire between my knees and try turning the bars i can actually see the forks flex..along with the front fender

anyone tried to use like 1/4inch high tensil steel plate to make a brace that would be somewhat hidden under the fender?

i know a good external brace would be best but this is just a thought..

i would make it tight to the contours of the fender, but still leave some relief so it didnt rattle...or get in the way of the tire..

just a thought ..what you guys think?

[motoman]

i know these bikes need a fork brace,but holy smokes they have alot of fork flex!

if i hold the front tire between my knees and try turning the bars i can actually see the forks flex..along with the front fender

anyone tried to use like 1/4inch high tensil steel plate to make a brace that would be somewhat hidden under the fender?

i know a good external brace would be best but this is just a thought..

i would make it tight to the contours of the fender, but still leave some relief so it didnt rattle...or get in the way of the tire..

just a thought ..what you guys think?

The arc needed for clearance would eliminate any ability for ridgity needed for side-load support. Straight line between forks is best option, otherwise your wasting your time...JMO as a retired steel fabricator and cert. welder familiar with stress loads and their transferred direction.

BTW, an actual fork brace will also substantually redue any wear on unobtainable slider guides.

[wjw11teen]

good point...do you think it would help at all with the rotating flexability?

[jetmechmarty]

There's a lot of flex, but it was not an issue until I updated the forks with heavy straight rate springs and valves. Then it became very apparent. With the Tkat brace on there, at least they stay together. FJ forks would make it better, but I have decided I have transformed it enough. It works well and I'm happy.

[D0wn5h1ft]

There's a lot of flex, but it was not an issue until I updated the forks with heavy straight rate springs and valves. Then it became very apparent. With the Tkat brace on there, at least they stay together. FJ forks would make it better, but I have decided I have transformed it enough. It works well and I'm happy.

Are the stock XS11 standard/special springs progressives??

[James England]

Are the stock XS11 standard/special springs progressives??

Only very slightly different pitch at one end. I fitted Progressive springs to my last XS and they made a big difference.....

[jetmechmarty]

New tech is available for the forks if you want a modern ride. There are valves offered by the likes of Race Tech and Traxxion Dynamics. There are also Chinese knock-offs. All are to be paired with straight rate springs to your specifications.

My XS11 is so equiped and I'll never go back.

[BA80]

I'm sorry, this might be a stupid question to some. But, how can springs and valves eliminate fork flex?

[jetmechmarty]

Greg,
They don't. I have a brace, and at least that tends to keep the forks working together. Flex is something we have to suffer as you know. Unless you swap the front end.

[TomB]

anyone tried to use like 1/4inch high tensil steel plate to make a brace that would be somewhat hidden under the fender?

just a thought ..what you guys think?

I made one, it works well, I have a plastic front fender on one of my XS's and made a thick fender bracket like an upside down U, the fender bolts to it. It works really well.
Here it is before painting.


The Standards have a brace like this in the fender already, dunno about the Specials

Personally I found if you sort your forks out so they work well the flex is kept down to a level where a brace isn't needed on a naked XS11, I have another XS with plastic fender and no brace that handles great, with heavy fairing? yes very much needed, just my opinion.

[BA80]

I don't know if anyone has tried it but the XJ fender has that built right into it. It might fit on a special.

[crazy steve]

The XJ front fender will fit the Special and is a stout piece, but it's incredibly heavy; it weighs quite a bit more than the Special fender and won't help unsprung weight at all.

The standard fender is pretty flimsy, also the lightest of the three. But won't fit the Special/XJ forks...

[jetmechmarty]

FWIW, when I made my suspension upgrades with stout springs and hydraulic valves, it made the flex in the forks more noticable than less. It made the brace all the more valuable.

[motoman]

Are the stock XS11 standard/special springs progressives??

Only model that got progressive springing from factory stateside was the 81'Venturer.

[motoman]

I'm sorry, this might be a stupid question to some. But, how can springs and valves eliminate fork flex?

Amplifed more with the increased load Greg. You have two seperate pieces, joined per-say at the cyls. end, without the needed support caused by the rotational gyro effect at THAT critical area. Side-load from that effect is at its highest leverage point at THAT location. Big gap there, with just a fender as a 'token' support between the axle mount and lower tripple tree mount. IMO, may as well be none, with the XJ being an improvement without being intrusive lookin', but still not tottally as fuctional structual wise compared to an actual straight lined support of cyl. tubes.