Fork Brace Question. Yeah, or Nay?

...several questions for those who are using one.

...did it improve the handling of your bike?

...if so, how was it noticeable?

...who was the manufacturer?

...where was it purchased?

...how much did it cost?

...thanks for the help.

...by the way, I'm looking to put one on a '79 KZ650.

I've had Hondas with factory installed braces. They do seem to reduce flex, especially under hard braking with there is only one disc brake up front. They also make the fork stiffer under any load condition like hard steering or riding over bumps because they make the legs operate in pairs more rigidly, preventing one leg from moving in a different direction than the other.

So, how well do they work? The sturdier they are, the more they reduce flex. But they are then also typically heavier, increasing unsprung mass which again upset suspension and the wheel's ability to follow the road's bumps and dips.

Finally, they need to fit absolutely perfectly. If they pinch or splay the fork legs even 1/10 mm there will be noticeably increased stiction.

Telefix probably makes one of the better braces; sturdy yet lightweight
www.telefix-products.de/stabi/gabelstabi.htm

But there are others out there, like
www.gd-motobikeparts.de/Gabelstabilisator.htm

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/527940-b...the-k1-k2-ltd#527940

Good Fortune!

Just put one on my 82 K2 1000 LTD. Big difference in the front end of the bike. Nice and steady, much better on the gravel, it will trac the same line over a bit of un-even payment and tar snakes.
Got it from Fast from the Past, cost $100 USD. Installed in a couple of minutes. Well worth it.
www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/527940-b...the-k1-k2-ltd#528050

...OK, some great info guys.

...the chrome options look cool, but won't fit the look of what I'm building.

...I've been looking at the Fast from the Past option. Just wondering if there are any others worth looking at.

...thanks for the info!

i road race and run tarozzi's (waht FFP sells) on my two vintage bikes, it serves also as my fender mount so dont know how it is without...

that said, there are more than a few fast guys here that race without, i am talking RACE WINNING fast guys... one is a friend and says he likes better the feel without it..... so go figure.

turboguzzi wrote: i road race and run tarozzi's (waht FFP sells) on my two vintage bikes, it serves also as my fender mount so dont know how it is without...

that said, there are more than a few fast guys here that race without, i am talking RACE WINNING fast guys... one is a friend and says he likes better the feel without it..... so go figure.

...hahaha, there ya go! It only figures. Maybe if you have a "class" front to begin with, you

might not need one. But, I wouldn't exactly call a '79 KZ650 front end, a "class" front end.

Oppinions will vary, but on my kz1000r I put a 3" lower tripple, like the s1. No old 80's road race kaws used a brace that I have found, and the large surface of my lower really helped.just my .02.ty.steve

...well, I figured the 650 could use a little help in the front end department and ordered a brace from Fast from the Past. I needed linkage parts for rear sets, so I just added it to the order.

...it's only money, right?

...I keep telling myself that. It seems to lessen the pain. :dry:

good tires and good fork springs,fork oil, and right tire pressure ,tire balance, are needed first...but i had one and it was ok...just ok....i could not tell much difference ...but they look cool and dont hurt the bike unless...the above are not correct...then they can cause hop or chatter by binding the fronts ability to flex and react...imo

trianglelaguna wrote: good tires and good fork springs,fork oil, and right tire pressure ,tire balance, are needed first...but i had one and it was ok...just ok....i could not tell much difference ...but they look cool and dont hurt the bike unless...the above are not correct...then they can cause hop or chatter by binding the fronts ability to flex and react...imo

...good point!

...everything you mentioned will be new.

Telefix. I have several.
$100~$125
Made a noticeable difference on bumpy roads. I was then able to replace the factory steel fender with a fiberglass one.
I think I got them on Ebay.
I only like the ones that are adjustable for spacing between fork legs.