Toaster Tan Top Brace => 1988 R100RT

[John Falconer]

On Sunday last I finally got around to installing the Toaster Tan (Stephen Gaulin) top brace to my 1988 R100RT. Years ago I put one of these on my 1979 R100T and have been very pleased with the quality of the part and the effect on stability, "sureness of foot."

The installation on the R100RT is much easier since it doesn't involve any trimming of headlamp ears nor fussing with wiring being laced through parts.

I estimate it would take about two hours in total to do this - although it took me longer because I had numerous telephone interruptions. Just to help remind me of wire routing I used my phone to take pictures during the installation process - they might be handy for others.

Here are the pictures: http://falcons.dyndns.org/links/open/TT_Brace

And if you're interested in Stephen's offerings then take a look here: http://www.pbase.com/toastertan/top_braces although you should know that making these is a hobby pursuit and it is pretty likely that the run he recently had made will be the last. BTW, Stephen is a great guy and real airhead enthusiast and fun to ride with.

John

[StephenB]

+1 on his braces, got one on my /5 and had one on my earlier G/S. Great guy to deal with too.

[Dane]

I also got one of Toaster Tan's/Stephen's braces from the last (so far) batch. Looks great - can't wait to install it on my '81 RS.

[Roy Gavin]

The word is that the last batch is gone, and he wont be making them again.

However SJBMW has stock of both early and late types, and should have the G/S item in a month or two. Or three.

[Lasse]

How much of an upgrade is it? Would it be bolt-on for my R60/6 with disc?

[SteveD]

The jury is out on the effectiveness of the top clamp in making any pragmatic change to the handling of an everyday user. The term "bling" has been used previously. Some say they work, some say they're bling.

Others, more qualified than me, might like to continue with the technicalities of this discussion.

Here's some previous discussion re: stiffening the top yoke area.
http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php? ... #msg-47582

[ME 109]

Imo, anything that can clamp the top of the fork tubes and hold them tight would be an improvement, particularly with a stronger 'correct' fitting lower fork brace.
I see a weak point in the top braces having a round hole in the centre. If it were somehow a tight fitting square hole, I imagine it would offer a lot more stability to the tops of the forks.
Just dreaming.

[SteveD]

Imo, anything that can clamp the top of the fork tubes and hold them tight would be an improvement, particularly with a stronger 'correct' fitting lower fork brace.
I see a weak point in the top braces having a round hole in the centre. If it were somehow a tight fitting square hole, I imagine it would offer a lot more stability to the tops of the forks.
Just dreaming.

I'm thinking that the steel flat thing at the top clamps tight, so that the lower correct fitting fork brace might be a better place to start?

[vanzen]

As designed, the stock plate is more than adequate to control the forces that will be acting upon it.
IMO, any quantifiable handling improvement
can only be a result of closer build tolerances of the new part vs those of a (worn) stock plate.

[Chuey]

It seems to me that the limitation is the thinness of the top plate where the steerer tube goes through and the center nut tightens. If metal it that thin, I'd expect steel to work better than aluminum. What we need is some steerers that are a half inch taller. And, while we're at it, why not leave out the holes in the top plate because we all know that if you really want a bike to handle great, it will have clip ons. And while we're at that, why not leave out the hole for the steering lock? Oh yeah!

Chuey