Front fork brace

4772 Views 46 Replies 7 Participants Last post by jaclynfran64, Aug 11, 2012

f22master

Discussion Starter · Jul 23, 2012

Hey, i have seen that some have made a front fork brace for your X18's. Can you tell me how you did that? Maybe some pictures?

I was planning on making one with a set of these ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEMPHIS-SHA...3074&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr ) with a strip of 2" wide aluminum between them.

I was just wondering if anyone had a cheaper/better solution.

Thanks!

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f22master

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 27, 2012

So, is Swheels the only one who has made a fork brace???

drgnprelude

· #3 · Jul 27, 2012

I purchased one but was not thinking and I got a 26mm one so it won't fit the fork legs just the tubes I am working on one for my 15 tho

swheels

· #4 · Jul 28, 2012

For the China midbike as far as I've seen yes.......

drgnprelude

· #5 · Jul 28, 2012

Hey I am 60ish percent done with mine lol gonna powder coat it too just gotta wait till I get back from vaca to finish it lol
Next I gotta find a shock to work right without a lot of wasted money for once as well

BlitzMInc

· #6 · Jul 28, 2012

ya we need some more people willing to mess stuff up in the name of progress
Swheels has come up with some solid solutions that can be done easily with the RIGHT parts, tho sometimes a fab is needed, it is a worthwile effort, i can say as much for the dual brakes, they stop you

swheels

· #7 · Jul 28, 2012

BlitzMInc said:
ya we need some more people willing to mess stuff up in the name of progress
Swheels has come up with some solid solutions that can be done easily with the RIGHT parts, tho sometimes a fab is needed, it is a worthwile effort, i can say as much for the dual brakes, they stop you

So when any of us guys or gals show up at the tracks on our P.O.S. China made bikes. Then we can have the last laugh as they run over to your bike. To tear it apart with their eyes to see,what,why,when and how. Funny stuff!

swheels

· #8 · Jul 28, 2012 (Edited)

They have these braces for the honda monkey bikes. The problem is they are for 31 to 30mm forks. And i also don't know the width on the monkey bikes triples. The part that this clamp needs to bolt to on our forks are 42/43mm(don't remember). There might be some room to mod the brace to fit.
The brace in the pic i can make it's easy for me to make. Just a bit more time consuming plus the thickness of the alum they used. Only looks to be maybe 4 to 7mm. The wrap around design i did offers more strength. But maybe after my track session in sept if i get this other machine I've been wanting. Then i might be able to do a small production run. They won't be wrap arounds but will be thicker and stronger than the one in the pic plus strong made from alum. I just really see anybody needing them but people who race road course though......

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f22master

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 28, 2012

The flared (big) section of the fork tubes, where you would clamp is 43.5mm. And it is 4" inside to inside.

swheels

· #10 · Jul 28, 2012

f22master said:
The flared (big) section of the fork tubes, where you would clamp is 43.5mm. And it is 4" inside to inside.

Yeah for the China mids, i don't know what the specs are on the honda monkey bikes. There triples can be wider making the inside to inside 2 or more inches wider or less.

f22master

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 28, 2012

Yeah, but you could cut that much out of the center section of the brace and then re-secure it together (bolting, welding, etc).

How much is a brace like the one you posted a pic of?

swheels

· #12 · Jul 28, 2012

29.99euros also the design of the brace doesn't allow it to be shortened by to much. Look at the part that curves. Once you get to that point then there will be no way to really bolt to the center piece. Anything is possible and can be made to work but how much of the integrity of the piece will remain. It it could also be shorter or to short for the stock mids.... Posing an opposite problem. Still in all if somebody is willing to do the research. That could be a great useful piece i believe.

f22master

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 28, 2012

How much would you ask for the one you want to make?

swheels

· #14 · Jul 28, 2012

f22master said:
How much would you ask for the one you want to make?

a rough guess would be 50 to $60 and even that will depend on if i can get the machine i need at a decent price. Then price out the good alum(7076) and good screws plus the boring/cutting tool i would need. I can only see maybe 5 people wanting something like this...lol hardly encouraging enough for me to really do it.lol

drgnprelude

· #15 · Jul 28, 2012

Altho they would be 5-6 very happy people out there LOL

f22master

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 28, 2012

drgnprelude said:
Altho they would be 5-6 very happy people out there LOL

+1! :thumbsup:

But i think im just gonna get the clamps in my OP and make it work. For ~$25, ill be happy

BlitzMInc

· #17 · Jul 29, 2012

this kind of mod is blackbelt level
after tires, brakes, existing fork mods, it should be near the last thing done
i dont know how hard you gotta ride to overcome my front end but i havent done it yet, and ive done quite alot to it, so till i can ride the wheels off my existing setup i dont see a need for me to do it or i would have already, i did the mods when i hit the wall of perormance and handling, and now the rider is the limiter not the bike

f22master

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 31, 2012

Well lets see:

Tires? Kenda rear, stock front. Getting ready to get a new front, and possibly a new rear (heidenau k61)

Brakes? Opened up fluid passages, KTM 50 brake pads (HUGE DIFFERENCE!!), D O T 4 racing fluid

Fork mods? 80/90wt gear oil, spring preload adjusters

Rear shock? Still working on mounting my 8" Manitou, should be done in a few weeks

Data acquisition? Trail Tech Vapor with rpm, speed, and CHT

I may not be at black belt level riding wise, but i want my bike to be as good as i can get it BEFORE i get it on the track. I have the fork clamps that i linked to above ordered, just waiting for them to get here. I'm currently looking for a good shock for the front to mount like Swheels did. I'm also about to start drilling the bike for safety wire and add sliders. With all this work im doing, i think im gonna start a thread for it, to help anyone else who's trying to get their bike 'track ready'

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drgnprelude

· #19 · Jul 31, 2012

What do you mean drilling the bike for safety wires I have a hole through my drain plug I got wired is there anything else I should wire I mean I know there Chinese bike so we should wire it all lol but seriously what is required for track racing if you don't mind me asking

BlitzMInc

· #20 · Jul 31, 2012

you gotta wire the oil plug, catch the case vent spray, catch the carb, no kickstands (they let mine go cause its under and i tied it up) no lights or taped off, bar sliders (wasnt a req first time i went) and then its your dress code
i know im forgetting something

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