Boxerworks.com

Duane Ausherman wrote: OK, is somebody going to step up and argue that alignment isn't important?

I'm not going to say it isn't important but I will question the alignment's effect in a turn. Aligning all the forks on all of my bikes has taught me that those things are quite bendy. How "aligned" can a fork be when uneven forces are acting upon them? It would seem to me that a brace that works toward keeping the alignment during uneven forces would be a move to the good for anyone who rides through curves on these bikes. Drag racers? Maybe, not so much.

Chuey

If average joe thinks he needs a fork brace to cure wobbles, something else is wrong.
A flattened of rear tyre can give wobbly tendencies.....
In my experience with a/7 frame, when everything is as it should be or close to, the bike has capabilities well beyond joe average. Without a fork brace.

Although having trumpeted the virtues of true fork alignment, I can say that hitting a kangaroo and bending the forks considerably did not make the bike behave badly at highway speed, or through the mountains on the way home afterwards.
Other than the handle bars being twisted, I honestly could not pick a fault with the handling other than very low speed left and turns.
This paragraph applies to 'after using the pinch bar at Mal from Dubbo's to regain some front suspension travel'.

I was strangely attracted to the front end feel on the highway curves with no fork travel!

Chuey, the alignment is to prevent or reduce stiction. The more stiction, the less it follows the bumps and the more tendency to wobble, or to have the tire on the ground less of the time.

I don't know how to measure stiction while in a corner in an objective way. I know a simple way to check stiction while riding and used to use it often. While going down a smooth road, reach down and grab the fork tube just above the seal. You can feel the fork travel working. It never stops "working" and if it just moves a couple of times per second, then you have stiction. That fork should vibrate quite fast, even on a smooth road. I would estimate the vibration at 5-10 cycles per second and only a short distance most of the time. IF it moves a longer distance and less often, that is stiction. On a medium lean long corner, I have also reached down and grabbed the fork tube. it moves just the same as when going straight.

Many are nervous about grabbing the fork with a free hand, but it isn't so bad. It is not for rush hour traffic.

Duane Ausherman wrote: Many are nervous about grabbing the fork with a free hand, but it isn't so bad. It is not for rush hour traffic.

No way I'd reach.
This bloke might though.

It's really not that hard, but the problem is.... you'll realize how much fun a lower set of handlebars would be. Especially if you have a big tank bag to lie down on. Of course, then you'll be wanting to mount some rearsets, lose the pillion and go racing!

ME 109 wrote: In my experience with a/7 frame, when everything is as it should be or close to, the bike has capabilities well beyond joe average. Without a fork brace.

The idea that the issues of flex & stiction are the exclusive domain of racers is pure fiction.
There is more to this picture than the ability of a given system to safely handle excessively high speeds.
The benefits of a well engineered front suspension do not simply "turn on" like a light switch at 80 mph !
Yes, more noticeable at speed, but still there from the start.
Every "Joe" can benefit from a telescopic fork with less flex and less stiction.
A well tuned & stiff forks system will require less rider input & effort at any speed.
The difference, while essential to the racer, can be beneficial to the "average Joe".

Any evaluation of suspension performance must assume a rider with the knowledge, sensitivity,
& ability to differentiate & appreciate good vs adequate vs poor handling.
The ignorance or insensitivity of a rider who "kain't feel no differnce"
will neither elevate an inferior & antiquated design to the status of competence
nor diminish the objective & quantifiable value of good forks design.

Tim Shepherd wrote:It's really not that hard, but the problem is.... you'll realize how much fun a lower set of handlebars would be. Especially if you have a big tank bag to lie down on. Of course, then you'll be wanting to mount some rearsets, lose the pillion and go racing!

R100RS. It's hard.

...well I pulled the Telefix and went for a good 2 hour ride thru all sorts of twisties, mountain roads, street, and freeway.
Front end seems to be working a bit better, but...
Big Note: I pulled the Progressive shocks and mounted some Works Gassers borrowed from a friend.
Big diff in how the whole package works now. The front end still feels stiff-ish, not quite dialed in, but how the front and rear work together in harmony. Very stable now.

To tell the truth, I'm starting to feel much maybe there isn't much advantage with a fork brace. Maybe I'll change my mind after I get everything sorted and put it back on the bike.
Guess that leaves me outta the 1%er Klub...

Rapid Dog wrote: Front end seems to be working a bit better, but...
Big Note: I pulled the Progressive shocks and mounted some Works Gassers borrowed from a friend.

Unless one has a great deal of experience with suspension tuning, it's amazing how easily you can be fooled about which end is creating a problem, or working better. IOW's, since you changed both ends at once, it's almost impossible for you to know what did what.

Nice piccie RD. Where's it at?