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Post by kassrocket on Jul 24, 2011 3:11:37 GMT -5
Gday.. Does anyone have any further knowledge regarding a front fender removal on my Xs650? Just wondering.. I have taken mine off for a more cafe look.. Does removing it affect the structure of the forks? Have seen heaps of Xs650's front fenders removed on the net but have had mixed opinions.. Josh
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Post by grizld1 on Jul 24, 2011 8:57:22 GMT -5
The stock front fender does indeed support the forks, and if you want tight steering you'll need to replace that support with a brace--either a tweak bar or a tubular loop. Anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't ride hard enough to know the difference. Bear in mind that without a fender, water and debris will be channeled straight at your face.
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kopcicle
Full Member
"don't crush that dwarf , hand me the pliers "
Posts: 150
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Post by kopcicle on Jul 24, 2011 13:07:49 GMT -5
The first time you enter a decreasing radius turn a bit too much on the go and whoa , a modern tire warmed up with a bit of stickum and clean pavement able to support a serious contact patch you will with out a doubt find the necessity of a front fork brace .
You will have a load on the front end and will be torsionally loading the fork assembly due to weight transfer and bending loads associated with given rake , trail and tree offset dimensions . At some point the torsional loads are able to overcome the contact patch as weight transfer decreases slowing into the turn . In most cases this results in an immediate low side . If however the grip releases and suddenly returns it's an instant high side . If you're lucky you'll see the less catastrophic indicators of this phenomenon in a constant radius sweeper as an oscillating or hunting through the turn . This is by the way nearly the same symptom as worn swing arm bushings ...
In short , What Dick said . Don't replace a stock fender with a lightweight alloy, glass or plastic fender without bracing the front completely . Remember our stock forks are only 35mm and 34 mm for the early ones . Look at any modern right side up fork assembly and the evidence is there .
~kop
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Post by kassrocket on Jul 25, 2011 0:01:26 GMT -5
Cheers for the advice fellas.. Makes heaps of sense.. I have put the fender back on until i can purchase or have one made that is adequate.. Common sense i suppose.. I really loved the look of it without a front fender but of course safety comes first.. Josh
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Post by Tom Graham on Jul 29, 2011 13:32:14 GMT -5
Look at the fenders from www.motolanna.com and maybe a front fender will look better. |
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Post by kassrocket on Jul 30, 2011 19:42:11 GMT -5
Yep some nice ones on there.. Good stuff cheers.. Josh
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mitchp
Full Member
keep it on one wheel
Posts: 56
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Post by mitchp on Aug 10, 2011 22:58:29 GMT -5
I have been thinking about adding a fork brace (tubuler if i can find one) to my stock 76c model. Can this style of fork brace still be obtained? As i remember this brace style was produced by Lockhart. Can this type of brace be used with my stock front fender in place? The front fender is in very good condition at this point, im going to keep it on the bike.
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Post by XS Rod on Aug 11, 2011 14:49:02 GMT -5
I ran my bike back in the late 70's early 80's without a front fender. Always wanted a tweak bar, but never got around to it. That's not my point tho... point being I got tired of the spray of crap and water off the front tire and it grit blasting my face and bike. The front fender is on this build and I am still contemplating an additional support.
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