Fork Bracing

[FJ4ever]

An inexpensive but effective way to stiffen forks on any FJ is to simply get hold of another stock brace and
install it directly on top of the existing one. I installed slightly longer Allen head machine screws as well.
Works a treat.

[FJmonkey]

Look closely at the holes in both braces. If one of them is already stretched out then the other will likely have no more benefit. The clamping force of the screws holding it on is no match for the forces of fork flex. The OEM aluminum brace is too soft to be any kind of a brace. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=14734.msg149000#msg149000

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, I agree with Mark. The FJ has a fender strap, not a fork brace. Don't confuse the two.

[FJ4ever]

The assumption of course is that the owner first satisfies himself as to the condition of the existing brace/strap. Doubling its thickness does make a difference.

[Mike Ramos]

Interesting:

So, double the strength of the fender strap, what about the fasteners?  Are they expected to handle the extra load?   

[camo]

So I will profess my ignorance of the use on a fork brace on the FJ. Dont get me wrong I know what they do and have used them on old track bikes I have owned  where it is useful and makes a difference. But on the FJ what real world benefit are people expecting? I treat my FJ like an R1 in the bends and have upgraded every single suspension component/ rear wheel and run Pilot Power tyres to suit this riding style, but short of transferring the flex to my steering head bearings and hence wearing them out prematurely what am I missing by not having one on my FJ? (Please dont tell me they stiffen the forks yadda yadda yadda.... I know that, Im interested in the real world performance/feel/ difference you notice.

Cheers All

[aviationfred]

So I will profess my ignorance of the use on a fork brace on the FJ. Dont get me wrong I know what they do and have used them on old track bikes I have owned  where it is useful and makes a difference. But on the FJ what real world benefit are people expecting? I treat my FJ like an R1 in the bends and have upgraded every single suspension component/ rear wheel and run Pilot Power tyres to suit this riding style, but short of transferring the flex to my steering head bearings and hence wearing them out prematurely what am I missing by not having one on my FJ? (Please dont tell me they stiffen the forks yadda yadda yadda.... I know that, Im interested in the real world performance/feel/ difference you notice.

Cheers All

If you really want to stiffen up the front end go with a set of USD forks.

[FJmonkey]

what am I missing by not having one on my FJ?

Less broken fender tabs, less lateral load on the fork bushings reducing time between fork rebuilds. And they cost less than Fred's USD forks, but not as sexy....

[camo]

haha thanks monkey.....nearly did the USD conversion on my FJ and i still love the look (they seem to be called the chick magnet conversion on this forum)......unfortunately I would need more than that to pull chicks.....

[simi_ed]

So I will profess my ignorance of the use on a fork brace on the FJ. Dont get me wrong I know what they do and have used them on old track bikes I have owned  where it is useful and makes a difference. But on the FJ what real world benefit are people expecting? I treat my FJ like an R1 in the bends and have upgraded every single suspension component/ rear wheel and run Pilot Power tyres to suit this riding style, but short of transferring the flex to my steering head bearings and hence wearing them out prematurely what am I missing by not having one on my FJ? (Please dont tell me they stiffen the forks yadda yadda yadda.... I know that, Im interested in the real world performance/feel/ difference you notice.

Cheers All

I'm running a YZF-600 front end, so this isn't an apples-apples comparison, but I sure did notice a huge improvement in feel/feedback from wheel to bars, and improved responsiveness from the same. As a few others have also pointed out, your front fender will last a lot longer, due to the lack of flex from the forks. 
YMMV.

[Mike Ramos]

Hmmm,

I just spent a considerable amount of money having both rims straightened from every day use. 

I would suspect the rims are a somewhat tougher than the fender strap and its' fasteners.  If the rims are taking such a beating, without question the suspension components are as well. 

However, the steering head bearings remain perfect, in fact they are a non issue. 

Re-read the results of Mr. Conlon's test.  I was not involved with it but Pat is a very competent and capable rider.  Also, others have similar experiences.

Of the several types of fork braces used, all are more substantial than the fender strap.

Just a few thoughts...

[FJ4ever]

The assumption of course is that the owner first satisfies himself as to the condition of the existing brace/strap. Doubling its thickness does make a difference.

Ok, able to continue now after laying her down the other day to avoid a mental midget turning into me. The sound of aluminum and plastic grinding on asphalt is, well, nauseating.

To clarify, doubling the strap/bracket/stiffener, call it what you want, in my case was intended to try to eliminate annoying repairs to cracking fender brackets and tabs which I figure could only be caused by fork flex. Since doing it a year ago, zero fender issues, which of course means there is indeed stiffening happening. Handling-wise there is a very slight improvement in sharpness and in behaviour on grooved surfaces but the fender issue is the main benefit for me. Now where is that Polysporin.

[FJmonkey]

Very sorry to hear of your un-planned dismount. You posted so you at least lived. The rest can be healed or repaired. What needs fixing?

[FJ4ever]

Thanks for commiserations. Was only going about 35, so relatively minor but nonetheless very annoying
damage to the right side. Scrapes to rear turn signal, end of muffler, edge of main fairing, side of chin spoiler, bar end, brake lever and mirror. Fairing protector ground to nothing, oil pump cover unsalvageable. Replaced the twisted brake pedal already and will do the CBR mirror swap. Happily there are a few breakers in the area where most bits are likely findable before casting the net wider.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Just curious, do you have aftermarket brake lines?