Fork Braces

jeffdavison · Mar 7, 2011

Are there any currently available fork braces for our beloved Commandos?
Received a distressing email after inquiring directly to Norman Hyde that they no longer produce the product.

JD

grandpaul · Mar 7, 2011

If you have a standard front fender, a fork brace isn't going to be a noticeable improvement unless you are an advanced rider pushing the bike toward the edges of it's handling envelope. For an average rider, operating in typical situations, you won't notice any difference.

jeffdavison · Mar 7, 2011

I do a lot of mountain canyon riding in the North Georgia Mountains, I need all the chassis I can get.

JD

Ron L · Mar 7, 2011

If you have a standard front fender, a fork brace isn't going to be a noticeable improvement unless you are an advanced rider pushing the bike toward the edges of it's handling envelope. For an average rider, operating in typical situations, you won't notice any difference.

With a stock disc I would agree. However, with a 4-piston Brembo caliper and full-floating cast iron rotor with a 13 mm Brembo master cylinder, it will definitely flex the forks with a stock fender.

grandpaul · Mar 7, 2011

I've installed two of the double-loop type, one e-bay, one Clubman. Haven't seen any for sale in a while.

Born Again Bikes' first client: "Project Charlie"

Ron L · Mar 7, 2011

By the way, I believe RGM makes a fork brace for Commandos.

grandpaul · Mar 7, 2011

Ron, that double-loop unit might very well be an RGM fabrication.

ntst8 · Mar 7, 2011

Ron L said:
By the way, I believe RGM makes a fork brace for Commandos.

Last time i enquired, which was probably a year or two back, they had none in stock and no immediate plans to restock.

Webby03 · Mar 7, 2011

I just had a look at the RGM catalogue, there's no fork braces listed.

Webby

myjota · Mar 7, 2011

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NORMAN-HYDE-FORK- ... 3f07ca984a

Webby03 · Mar 7, 2011

Several on flea bay, here with 3 hours to go http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NORMAN-HYDE-FORK- ... 500wt_1093
And here with 8 days to go http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Norman-Hyde-Fork- ... 500wt_1093

jeffdavison · Mar 7, 2011

none of the ones on auction work for an 850 Command.

JD

john robert bould · Mar 7, 2011

Fork braceing is a very precise bit of enginnering, The top part of the slider's needs to be machined, true to the internal bore axis,
The brace needs to be adjustable, ie the centres require excentric bush's. pull or push the sliders apart .010 and the front end will bind.

I have see braces that have screw in adaptors into the sliders top thread, Useless! Because when the forks twist the screw in adaptors tend to turn very slightly.

Getting a brace thats strong enough [not to flex] and with- stand the twisting moments.Remembering the great force's involved.......Well thats another Topic!

Hobot · Mar 7, 2011

A fork brace is definitely helpful to needed if switch backing fast to dodge stuff
on rough places or in tight chicanes as the tube twist up one way while pilot is turning the other and the delayed actions of each splash together to feel like rubber bands between grip and tire patch.

Hyde is old school but not quite a rigid or functional as RGM, which extends slider/stanchion over lap on extrension and helps to get bushes in/off and looks
and is more robust.

RGM makes a nice set of Alloy yokes too

bwolfie · Mar 7, 2011

Options to work with

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

Foxy · Mar 9, 2011

Gday Steve, nice looking RGM fork brace and trees there! Is that fork brace currently available and do you think it would work with external springs?
Regards Foxy

Webby03 · Mar 9, 2011

Foxy said:
Gday Steve, nice looking RGM fork brace and trees there! Is that fork brace currently available and do you think it would work with external springs?
Regards Foxy

Hi Foxy,
Looking though RGM's catalogue they don't have any fork braces listed, so I would assume they've stopped making them. However the Tree's (yokes) are available for £175.00, they are available for both the Commando and the featherbed frame offsets.
You can download the catalogue here http://www.rgmmotors.co.uk/

Webby

Hobot · Mar 9, 2011

Oh ugh, just found an '08 forum post that said no more RGM fork braces and I can't find any today online. Might ping them just in case they got one left over might order up a few. External springs could be fitting but brace stack would take up ~1.5" of spring lenght.

here's its parts, if a machinist maniac might work up some sets to go.
One Arch, 2 insert tubes and 2 screw down seal holders.

jeffdavison · Mar 9, 2011

I pinged Hyde for leftover bits collecting dust and dealers that might have them on their back shelves......
came up empty

JD

Hobot · Mar 9, 2011

There are long lists of Brit Iron vendors all over the world, its interesting to just go down that list and ask, as even if vendor ain't got one them may know who's tired of theirs.

Fork Braces

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