Fork Brace... Wow!

[Michael March]

Once more kudo for tkat's fork brace. I was kind of skeptical at first, but when I read his testimonials, I decided to give it a try. Wow what a difference. I don't get the physics actually, but I do get this: Much tighter in the corners, xs goes into the turns much more controlled and smoother. I'm amazed actually at how much better it handles. Fantastic. Thanks to this board for putting me on to such a major "fix" for only $85. I'm a believer!

[Pat Kelly]

"We told 'ya so"

[MAXIMAN]

HERE HERE! Same for Kong...before I sold it yesterday. HUGE improvement. Took the "mush" out of the front end.

WAHOO! TKAT ROCKS!

[XS1100DRAGRACER]

I have something interesting to say. I installed a forkbrace a few weeks ago, I couldn't believe how much better it handled. I noticed the difference right away (within 1/2 mile of riding). My fork brake is stock though, I believe. It was on an XS that had the Fairing and Bags. It was a pain to install, just barely fits between the forks, but it was on my parts bike, so the price was well worth it!! I have never seen another type of brace like mine (except one sold on ebay for like 58.00 a few weeks ago). Did they come stock on any bikes?

[tab1324]

does the brace fit an XJ1100

Does it fit the XJ too?? Seriously, how much of a difference does it make? I am a reletively inexperienced rider but rode most of last year on my XJ. I always thought the handling was a bit "bus like" It just seems like it handles like a very large bike and that it doesn't like to lean into turns. I figured I'd have to learn to accept this or move on to a smaller bike. I'm only 5'-9 and 200 lbs so I can barely flat-foot this bike. Does the brace help handling that much?

I actually think I understand the physics involved - the bike wants to push through the center of the contact patch even when the front wheel is turned, therefore it "twists" the forks.

Tom B.

[81xsproject]

I believe the XJ has bracing built into the fender itself as there has been some discussion in the members lounge as to the XSers using XJ fenders as an alternative to by fork braces. I could be wrong and it i am i will surely be corrected.
JC

[MAXIMAN]

Tom

JC's right. Some guys have used the XJ fender to that end with success.

However, I bought a TKAT for both my '80 Special and my '82 XJ. Made a HUGE difference in the Special. The difference in the Maxim wasn't nearly as big but was noticeable.

If while sitting straddled across the bike...still...shake the handlebars from sisde to side. You'll notice an "after shake" for lack of a better term. The forks have a decided wobble. The XJ not as bad as the XS but still there. TKAT took almost all of this out.

The XJ brace from TKAT is either $110 or $120 (can't remember exactly) compared to $85 for the XS. The reason is the XJ fender is quite a bit taller and the brace has to be as well for clearance.

[XS1100DRAGRACER]

Heres the link for the same type of forkbrace I just installed onto my bike, it was on E-Bay. Does anyone know if this is factory or not?





http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting[/URL]

[John]

That's a new one on me.

[XS1100DRAGRACER]

Yea, it works great. It was very difficult to get it installed, but it works the same, not as pretty but it works great!!

[Michael March]

Don't know about an xj but on my '81 midnight it is night and day. I could tell immediately and it only got better as I ramped up and started curling through a bit more curves. I have no doubt for any midnights out there, it is the best money you could spend to improve handling.

[grabberblue]

That Ebay link is pretty much like the one on my bike, the plates on the bottom on mine our bigger but otherwisw looks similar, sorry I don't know if it is stock or not.

[iamphotog]

grabberblue or xs1100dragracer:
could you post a picture of this on your XS?

[XS1100DRAGRACER]

I have a few photos of my bike, search for "posting pictures in messages". I took them before I installed the brace though.

[grabberblue]

I will post picture as soon as I can.