When is a fork brace required?

So I've dragged the bike out of the back of the shed, done the usual, oil, fresh petrol, new battery and a bit of air in the tyres, and up she fires wahoo all good after 6 years in the shed, yep out for a quick blat and thats right I remember how really dreadfully lousy the brakes are. (1973 750 #221393 combat) but it's all good as I picked up one of the MADASS super flash disc brake upgrades as a trade off with my wife wanting to keep me around a bit longer. So it's in for fitting (+ new staunchins because of course there is always something else you have to spend up on)

Now the question is being asked as to whether there will be an increase in fork flex under braking requiring the fitting of a fork brace ?

I've had a bit of a look around and there seems to be little out there available, but do I really need one? I'm not racing, just one up(65kg) road riding. I don't see other kits/upgrades stating a fork brace is mandatory so am hoping I don't need one.
It's good to be getting keen on getting my bike on the road again it's been ages, Damn I suppose I should have chucked some photos up for guys - Sry bout that will put out when I get it back together - Thanx in advance - G

well you should beat yourself up about not taking any photos for the rest of us......just kidding, but there is the Hyde fork brace when you can find them, takes a bit of fiddling to set them up, or so it's been reported, and whether or not they are worth it has been debated here on the forum. One member re-made the middle fender stay, or mounting bracket out of much heavier gauge aluminum and it seemed well done and looked good, and might just be the best option for the road holder forks

One rotor brake force has nil effect to twisting fork legs up even squealing front patch for all its grip worth. Fork's internals may allow tire to hop- chatter on max grip effort though. Main reason for fork brace need is when seriously risking bike and life flinging forks so hard and fast through switch backs/chiacanes, the hand grips begin to feel like rubber bands connecting them to the tire patch. Ie: there is both a delay in the pilot action to the tire action and an over reaction as fork legs torsion springs back. If not pressing to the max a brace may still give a nice slight sense of more stability in gusty and lumpy conditions. Anywho current Roadholder choices are rather limited. Nicest one was RGM's but they dropped it. So Hyde or the arched fender holder or brew ya own. They are infamous for tedious fitting and altering some to fit.

Here's some random images of various ones and installes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=roadhol ... 7&dpr=1.09

" seriously risking bike and life flinging forks so hard and fast through switch backs"
yeah I gave up that I kind of behaviour years ago Hobot!! at least for this year it'll be plonky plonky taking it easy till I get my skill levels back up, it's been 5-6 years so am real keen to get the thrill back - and YES photos damn I promise I'll get some up

you always need a fork brace ,but there's not too many out there. :|

Not really necessary if you aren't going to be using the brakes really hard. Get the front end set up square and make sure the fender hoop nuts are tight. Then, if you find that, under braking, you are turning the bars to compensate for fork twist, then you need a brace.

Ok but G-Force cornering is my carrot in stupid addiction I've got to get out of my system too someday. The basic factory issue Commando don't need anything to ride nicely in thrilling but sane secure manner. Above some threshold though - usually deep into a turn or sweeper that's a bit wavy or gusty, they can be about the most dangerous things ever sold to public. There is so so much wrong with a Norton stop gap iso Cdo that you essentially can not press em hard enough to detect need of a freaking force brace benefit in all the shear terror of other things over whelming. I'm happy with my total plain Jane Combat as long as I mostly just flow along, even with sport bikers as long as they are just zooming around maturely. On the other hand I've a modified iso lastic Cdo that makes me see all other cycles as inherently dangerous unpredictable corner cripples bobbing around on balloon tires to soft to get any mileage out of sheeze. My Ms Peel would induce the fork twist rubber band delays until the robust RGM bridge work fitted and last issue she had was solved. Several fork kits out there that definitely clean up the Roadholders faulty sensationalism over rough stuff w/o being a road racer to tell.

Ahmen . (All-men ).

You can make a steel fork brace with two u8pside down U shaped hoops, one in front of the forks and one behind, each welded to a plate of steel bolted down by the fender nuts.

So whatzit look like ? Farm machinery ?

" One member re-made the middle fender stay, or mounting bracket out of much heavier gauge aluminum "
"You can make a steel fork brace with two u8pside down U shaped hoops"

Sounds like if you do need one then this is the only option anyway, RGM don't list it anymore and the Hyde model at Brit Cycle I'm still awaiting a reply on availability and price. I'd like to hear from some of you out there that have upgraded say with the CNW kit and was a fork brake an issue for you with a standard front end, I'm sure there's one or two of you out there, thnx help so far xbacksideslider & hobot at least you guys have replied, appreciate it

The Hyde version is not available anywhere. If you do find one expect to pay about $600.00

I have 2 myself, and have sold 4 in the last 2 years. Occasionally I find them.

Mine are both on project bikes so I don't have any usage data for you.

Duh, guess why they are no longer available = d/t lack of market = d/t lack of need but for too few Cdo crazies = d/t frustrations on fitting effectively and not constricting the fork action. Still if fitted well there are no down sides and may improve handling almost as much as the looks. Will have to jump fence if not cooking up your own.

https://www.google.com/#psj=1&q=fork+braces

The Production Road Racer bikes never used them in Peter Williams era. Why would you want to add all that more weight to the bike needlessly?
Taking a look at page 137, 139 or 165 of Peter Williams "Designed to Race" on a PR....Show me the brace??? Take off the two stays of a street fender and put two hose clamps on a fibreglass mudguard in its place. :shock: Why would you want to slow the bike down with that added weight??? I am waiting for a comment from Ludwig on this one. Ok Ludwig.... let her rip. Cheers.
Thomas
CNN

Greatwhitenorthenut, that's an interesting PR tid bit I did not realize. I agree a brace on a non all out racer not as lightened up and pumppep up = extra mass decoration so wonder if a non all out racer even tell? I've never felt a hint of fork twist up on my factory Combat yet have had THE Hinge onset too many times putting a good strain on them and me. On the other hand a fork brace was vital on Ms Peel as it raised the fork oscillation rate above suspension and tire hysteria frequencies and solved her one last issue for perfected totally neutral handling disappearing act. Peel tri links separated "everything" about physics of handling and revealed that fork braces on Roadholder don't make the forks any stronger to resist same amount of twist deflections but makes them ring-twist at high enough freq they sort of disappear from handling equation. If you are not over riding beyond two tire traction then likely will not appreciate what a good brace is worth, on and off road. So I am saying braces are a good thing if ya think ya can really put on loads to use em.

Hobot,
Sometimes adding money to your pet doesn't always get the results you hoped.
My belief for a fast commando is to make it brake well.... then, lighten it as much as possible, then put your money into the engine/ gearbox to make it go faster/more reliable.
But there is a point of diminishing returns.... Where the reliability of the added power out ways the time/ usage of the project.
Something to think about with what you want that 40+-year-old girl called Mrs Peel. Or what ever. You end up chasing the weakest link that breaks. If it’s to compete with today’s bikes.... then go out and by something new. :shock:
Cheers.
Thomas
CNN

Thanks for your valid concerns but only applies to all the corner cripplers not to me and Ms Peel, which only thing 40+ yrs old is what's left of the frame and the TS cover with logo and most the basic Roadholders and the ingenious isolastics, cut down by half in front and doubled up in rear iso pivot. Peel is only speculative experimental in her power plant and what the variable suspension heights and mass centralization may require some adapting to but she's already proven her superior handling loads and need for a fork brace but not a hindering of fork action with a dang steering damper. There is nothing like Ms Peel so hard to describe to the un-knowing, like me too, breaking though concepts and prior experience barriers by taking her beyond what a mere race bike on wide race track could take - out in wild tight dangerous public places of death and destruction 9 ft wide lanes, so yet to see what she can really do. I'm ego overflowing with what I got in Peel but its Peel not me that allows un-imaginable G-force flings even on just good Combat power. Seriously I low side and hi side to lift one or both tires off the surface with Peel in glee and some of that requires launching off the front, in turns so sharp and fast and hard bars would twist and delay my action to the tire or spring back to trip up to barely recover in time a failed turn. Peel could change directions with power assist faster than gas could cross an IS tank, so found out I can't do all of Peel's stuff unless almost full 6 gallons or less that half a tank left. Believe me or not as I'm not the one missing out - but Peel's set up both totally conquers all handling issues and also reveals exactly what is doing what w/o mixing them up as happens in all other cycles, especially a factory isolastic Commando, ugh. Requires no athletic ability either except breath control at times not to black out to much. Not too rigid not too floppy, just right...

Thats it ...just right...just like the fairy tail goldie lox...Try this with the your Mrs Peel
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bar ... DDAF0D777D
I was there for this years event and I don't think me norton can do dat. but its good to dream. Triumph did well to impress me on what a modern bike can do. I will wait with hold breath for your video.
I likd this one even better....
Cheers,
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bar ... 3ECEFE704D

Thomas
CNN

A friend of mine used to make fork braces as a money spinner. They looked great on a superbike. Perhaps the need for them has something to do with the axle diameter, the clamps at the bottom of the fork sliders, and the cornering forces ?

Ah man thank you for showing me that fellas style of stunts, really loved his sideways slide stand down dismount, very cool! Stunting is mostly the riders skill as almost every modern bike including cruises can do most of what was shown and more such as burning roll outs and drifts. I want to get similar familiar with Peel stunting and that scares me but not any more than just surviving safest commutes ya can imagine. You may not think of each ride being a nothing to lose stunt man maniac but I sure do so why TF not make the best of it on the best kind of motorcycle ever conceived in desperate stop gap fashion. In case ya ain't noticed Peel is being stunt bike configured as well as much simpler road racer ho hum. She will have more fork range than those corner cripples so will be able to spin around cones like crazy straight steering. Can ya imagine road racing not being enough G forces to really excite ya going around moderns in turns but just time filling warm up thrills on travel to get real thrills in gynkana event. I quickly try to crash ever cycle I get on to really ride fast and every single one of them sure will at some point but not Ms Peel, she was totally under my Thumb and nothing I tried upset her at all. Fantasically Flabbergastingly Fabulous is Ms Peel middle name. I could not stay on Peel to apply full brake force but could not stoppie, just slide front for enough bike lengths people would run out from among parked clusters of bikes within spitting distance to scream I was riding along on locked front, as if I didn't know. Ever see a stunter do that one, I have dozens of times till finally gave up on stoppies. Next Peel has more forward mass and can also tuck front and raise rear so maybe I can stoppie yet. Jim Comstock told me he can stoppie his 880 with the loaded fairing, so I asked him how he could stay on and pointed at the fairing ends he could brace knees on. A Revelation to me so will put on tank braces when not wearing the big fairing like his. I realized after insane trials and trails what was seemingly impossible with the isolastic thin tube steel frame + Roadholders that extend in turns and want to offer its concepts to world at large to improve on and add to the Commando lore. I laugh at the suggestions if ya want crazy fast secure smooth PREDICTABLE handling get something else than a Commando, Boy Howdy I got my tool of choice, just needs armored and MO Power.