Is anyone using a fork brace? What is the advantage in having a fork brace?

hey thats me!!!
the super brace has taken away 90% of the V-Rod shimmy
I will swear by it...

no frank, but i thought about getting one.
i don't feel the front end is very weak, but i do think that using non solid wheels would make a huge change in the way the bike gets pushed around.If the brace could help resolve this problem i would be more interested in getting one.
Compared to the price of getting different wheels, that would might be a very positive alternative to those of us who don't have alot of money to spend..

Where did you get the forkbrace? Is that a standard H-D item?

you can get the brace @
www.superbrace.com

Man, I have been looking for this for months. Thanks for the link, I just bought one.

er...
I've never noticed that my V-rod shimmies. Is that because I only weigh 135lbs? Or because I'm comparing the V-rod to my softail? Would this be exacerbated by heavier/2-up riders?

Looks great tho', regardless.

Originally posted by vrodjohn
Man, I have been looking for this for months. Thanks for the link, I just bought one.

vrodjohn


Let us know how you like it and also post a pic.

okay new cam better photo

Originally posted by WORM
hey thats me!!!
the super brace has taken away 90% of the V-Rod shimmy
I will swear by it...

WORM

When you say shimmy, what shimmy are you talking about?

Frank

the notorious V-Rod shake when you ride in heavy traffic at speeds above 60 mph
or when a large truck pulls in front or along side

I really have noticed it can be quite a soft ride and that while at speed, particularly if you transition from one lane to the other behind a large vehicle I get this rubbery sensation like a little headshake, nonsustained, not severe, maybe scary to some but I'm used to other types of riding and it usually happens at speeds well above 60. I thought it was probably the solid wheel thing. Otherwise I would say the V-Rod is a solid ride. I feel the wind with the solid wheel thing is overrated and that probably some are more wary of it than others, not that bad but some get scared a little. But really a shimmy, if you mean by this like when car wheels need balancing and you feel it on the steering wheel or like when you put very large tires to say a Jeep (CJ5) in need of a damper, I have to say, never felt it on my V-Rod, not once I believe. It is not a cheap add on but possibly worth the try. I believe I am a very loose rider (zero tension) and possibly may have passed without notice. Don't think it necessary but I'll pay more attention. Never hurts to learn and seems like that kind of a thread. We'll get something out of it. $150 to try and compare seems steep but WORM swears by it. Seems like an easy install so will follow on vrodjohn experience.

Can anyone tell me how these work? I think I kinda get it but I am not sure if its worth the extra weight.

The brace aids in removing a twisting action that can happen between the wheel axle and the triple clamp. For example, if you have small diameter forks and you stand in front of the bike, face the handlebars, hold the front wheel between your knees and grab the handlebars and turn the bars in one direction while holding the front wheel in the other direction and you will feel the twist (flex) in the fork legs. The vrod has large diameter forks so the twisting action should be very minimal.

This is why Motocross bikes use upsidedown(inverted) forks...to minimize this twisting action.

Good Stuff, thats what I though it looked pretty simple but I always second guess myself:whack:

Haven't seen any of those on too many Bikes at the track.I see more conventional type stuff!:cool:

That is a "steering damper".
Totally different reason for putting one on.
BUT, This would cure highway shimmy better than a fork brace.
Fork brace stabilizes and equalizes EACH leg to react the same.
Steering Damper slows violent shaking caused by rapid deceleration while in a turn(like on your Ducati Kaz)
V-Rod does not really need a steering damper to go straight.
Just more of my rambling!
:2cents
BobT

Got my bike back. Much more powerful and rather noticeable after several mods. I felt it before but noticed it markedly going into the highway, fast, pinned down from first to second then when really pulling in second there were some road irregularities, nothing severe, but with more power and the 28t pulley it gets pretty light up front (at last) and shakes a bit. It can be reproduced by turning the handlebars a bit while accelerating hard on a rough surface kind of experimenting on a straighter line so it does happen midturn ever. Will a fork brace help this or do I need a steering damper, does anyone make them for the V-Rod?

BobT,
I get head shake when I'm in a really fast sweeper or some times on my launches at the track so for me Dampening is what I will use.I have a Modified version I'm gonna adapt!:cool:

Kaz,
You are a special situation.
You have a massive load shift with the horsepower your scoot produces.
But , you know what I mean with how each are used and I actually think you would benifit from using both.
JMO,
BobT

BobT,
I have seen the TT and Flat Track guys run Braces but not much drag racers.How do you know some much about suspension stuff.Do they get it to that stuff in Conductor school? :cool:

Kaz,
Be nice, I am a Carman , not a conductor.:whack:

I used to know/hang occasionally with a racer who was a Ducati privateer in the 90's. I was even a "citizen" sponsor of his . Which meant I got to feed him when he was at Road America. What an honor.:spit:
He crashed bad and his racing career was done. Watched/learned alot

With the massive forks (compared to my wife's 04 Deuce) there is still twisting??
I have never experienced any what I would call "shimmy" (maybe it is because I am a sissy rider) but I get buffeted around behind trucks but I thought that was just normal due to the disruption of air by the truck that was flowing unevenly onto me and a solid front wheel. Can a fork brace actually help with that? :moped:

Haven't seen any of those on too many Bikes at the track.I see more conventional type stuff!:cool:

Kaz, get those Ducati decals off your V-Rod. :chair:

Can anyone tell me how these work? I think I kinda get it but I am not sure if its worth the extra weight.

The Superbrace is made out of Aluminum and I work in an aluminum smelter. I'm pretty sure you ain't gonna notice a weight difference! :karate

The Superbrace is made out of Aluminum and I work in an aluminum smelter. I'm pretty sure you ain't gonna notice a weight difference! :karate


Did you happen to notice that this thread is almost three years old???

Did you happen to notice that this thread is almost three years old???

Nah, I just talk without thinkin,,,but "SOMEONE" replied right!?! :karate:ithappen:

I put the super brace on my bike and have found that it makes no difference whatsoever UNLESS you find yourself with the pegs sparking on a mountain turn and the road surface turns uneven, at which time it’s priceless.

:popcorn