Author Topic: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?  (Read 387 times)

Offline Dirk_S

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Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« on: April 30, 2024, 08:43:05 PM »
Does anyone have recommendations to a company or chap who’ll make a custom fork brace for me?

I *thought* this Tarozzi fork stabilizer was going to work on the NTX forks installed in the V7, but the brace didn’t clear the 21” tire. I reached out to Fast from the Past, the US Tarozzi supplier (or one of at least), and they were pretty short with their responses. Apparently no fork braces to meet the specs needed that have any higher of an arch in the middle. A couple emails to other brace providers yielded similarly helpful responses.



« Last Edit: April 30, 2024, 08:43:29 PM by Dirk_S »
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Online John A

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2024, 09:46:03 PM »
Maybe you can modify a generic brace https://www.denniskirk.com/search/Fork+brace.q
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Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2024, 07:24:16 AM »
Maybe you can modify a generic brace https://www.denniskirk.com/search/Fork+brace.q

I’ve definitely been looking. Haven’t found one with 58mm clamps that would appear to work yet.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2024, 08:22:34 AM »
I’ve definitely been looking. Haven’t found one with 58mm clamps that would appear to work yet.

What is the center to center spread?

Tube diameter

Rise needed to clear the 21" wheel.

It is very possible to get an oversized for brace then have a machine shop make bushing to adapt to the fork diameter. Even if the centers are different they can machine the bushing with the inner hole offset to be able to adjust the center to center measurement.   
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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2024, 08:22:34 AM »

Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2024, 08:35:49 AM »
  • Distance between forks, center-to-center: 195mm
  • Tube diameter: 40mm
  • Slider diameter: 58mm (my calipers actually measured 57.5mm)
  • Rise needed to clear the 21" wheel: >30mm (incorporating a low mudguard would probably require a little distance.
Hadn’t considered the bushing idea. I was aware I could use thin aluminum sheet as a shim if that 58mm turned out to be slightly large.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2024, 03:11:10 PM »
Here is a Warp-9 fork brace for a DR650. I don't know the dimensions but its a good visual aid.




« Last Edit: May 01, 2024, 03:11:46 PM by Perazzimx14 »
2021 Moto Guzzi V85TT Guardia D'onore
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Offline bronzestar1

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2024, 05:32:53 PM »
Have you tried Superbrace? 


Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2024, 06:21:34 AM »
Have you tried Superbrace?

All the Superbrace stabilizers that I saw don’t involve an arch, which would be necessary.

I do have a potentially promising lead—The T140/T160 has 57mm sliders and a 194mm fork-to-fork distance. With my cheap calipers, I read 57.5mm on the NTX slider—I’m curious if perhaps I can get away with the 57mm clamp and one less mm of fork-to-fork distance; doesn’t seem to me like it would be a big deal…but I’m certainly no expert.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2024, 06:25:47 AM »
Have you tried Superbrace?

All the Superbrace stabilizers that I saw don’t involve an arch, which would be necessary.

I do have a potentially promising lead—The T140/T160 has 57mm sliders and a 194mm fork-to-fork distance. With my cheap calipers, I read 57.5mm on the NTX slider—I’m curious if perhaps I can get away with the 57mm clamp and one less mm of fork-to-fork distance; doesn’t seem to me like it would be a big deal…but I’m certainly no expert.

Both Fastec (sold by British Fork Brace Co.) and Norman Hyde make an arched fork brace for the T140/T160, and I’ve put out queries. Norman Hyde responded last night that they’ll get back to me next week; BFBCo have yet to respond since messaging on Wednesday.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Online PeteS

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2024, 06:37:53 AM »
What is the center to center spread?

Tube diameter

Rise needed to clear the 21" wheel.

It is very possible to get an oversized for brace then have a machine shop make bushing to adapt to the fork diameter. Even if the centers are different they can machine the bushing with the inner hole offset to be able to adjust the center to center measurement.

Along these lines have a shop make leg extenders. Lower half clamps over the the leg, upper section machined to fit your clamp. I made these for my Norton. They screw into the the existing threads made for the fork seal holder. The Norton forks are well below the tire here.









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Offline faffi

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2024, 07:38:17 AM »
Make your own, of ask your local fabricator to make one? https://purposebuiltmoto.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-motorcycle-fork-brace
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Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2024, 08:30:54 AM »
Make your own, of ask your local fabricator to make one? https://purposebuiltmoto.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-motorcycle-fork-brace

If I had time I’d be all about getting the parts to make one, but I’m trying to get this all set up by mid-June in order to do part of or all of the Northeast Backcountry Discovery Route. The time window is tight, and freelance is already eating into chances of making my own.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline Dirk_S

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Re: Who Makes Custom Fork Braces?
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2024, 09:16:44 AM »
Along these lines have a shop make leg extenders. Lower half clamps over the the leg, upper section machined to fit your clamp. I made these for my Norton. They screw into the the existing threads made for the fork seal holder. The Norton forks are well below the tire here.

Thanks Pete. Hadn’t considered doing an extension. I’ll keep the idea in mind if I can’t come across one that (near) perfectly fits the specs.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

 


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