Rick's Fork Brace (Adventure Tech)

[RichlandRick]

Yes, its 2010 and we are still going strong....DL650 and DL1000 Fork Braces are now available.  $80 + (postage and envelope)

Postage in the US is $7.00, $11 to Canada, Mexico, and Australia, and $15 worldwide via first class United States Parcel Post.

Payments via Paypal can be made to rickhughes805@hotmail.com.

Here's Ramjet's ready for delivery:



Here's mine installed on my bike.  The first two people that saw it independently said "it looks like it came that way."





The two white lines in this next photo are just flash effects.

[Preload]

That is a beautiful job you have done there RichlandRick. I shall purchase asap as I know Bareman would approve it as a "must have"   
Mark

[RubberDown]

That's awesome Rick, if I didn't already have the Murph's brace then I would be next in line.  Good work!  

[johnofchar]

Yes, nicely done. I know questions where asked about a high fender mounting point. Maybe you could adjust your hold down holes to match up with a nice high fender.

[Patio]

Hi Rick

What are the 4 small holes about. Is there a threaded bolt in the center like the two ends. Looks good!

[sudsy]

Quote:

The holes were used for expediant way of holding the part during machining. The final product will have the inner holes, but not the outer set.

 

Does this help with your question?

[Patio]

Yes that helps. How many threaded bolts are there. I see 2, are there more towards the center?

[sudsy]

I'm sure it only requires the 2 outboard bolts.

[Warhammer]

There are 4 bolts. Two on the outside of the fork tubes and two on the inside. You can see the two on the outside easier because the gap is wider there to allow the clamping action to hold the tubes.

[RichlandRick]

Yes, there are four stainless steel bolts used to hold the front and back "halves" together.  They are equally spaced on both sides of the fork tubes.  I'll post another pick tomorrow showing all four bolts.

[RichlandRick]

ETA of the DL1000 fork brace is this afternoon.  "John of Finley"s DL1000 is in my garage.  I have finished taking measurements, completed the CAM programs, and I'm now headed to the garage to make the first prototype.  John's brace should be complete, powdercoated, and installed in a few hours.  Pics to follow.

[fozzyber]

Got my brace on Sat.  Great bit of kit  thanks

Jerry / Fozzyber

[Scarlett Harlot]

Installed mine on Saturday. WOW! What a difference. Had 30-35 mph crosswinds that day on my check ride and I hardly noticed the wind. Also steers straight now when riding over tarsnakes, steel plates and the neighbors cat.

[RichlandRick]

Were back?!    How did I miss that?  Thanks JohnofChar for giving me the heads up.

Yes, the DL1000 fork brace is available.  The only difference between the Wee and Vee brace is 0.012" in fork tube diameter (Vee is larger).  It's such a small diference that I am going to have to design in some kind of cosmetic design difference to keep them striaght.   

I sincerley appriactiate the feedback on the brace. 

My plan is to catch up on all order this week end and machine enough to have stock on hand so that they can go out the next day.

Regarding the ability to mount a dirt bike fender.  I think we need a completley diferent thread to disuss how this might be done and what fender would be used. 

Regarding the use of the machining holes to mount other stuff.... I would be wary of the effect full compression of the forks would have on the parts sitting on top of the brace.

Going to make braces now.  Good to be back.

[Brianjonesphoto]

Were back?!    How did I miss that?  Thanks JohnofChar for giving me the heads up

Regarding the ability to mount a dirt bike fender.  I think we need a completley diferent thread to disuss how this might be done and what fender would be used. 

Regarding the use of the machining holes to mount other stuff.... I would be wary of the effect full compression of the forks would have on the parts sitting on top of the brace.

Going to make braces now.  Good to be back.

 Once you get caught up and start that thread to discuss the dirt bike fender version I've got lots of ideas.

[Dntouch]

Rick i will send payment tonight for a 1000 brace. If you can answer the following.

Is it possible to get it in plain Aluminum vs. black.? BTW are these spray bombed or powder coated or anodized?

If just sprayed i will take it plain.

[RichlandRick]

Three coats of powder-coat matte black.  It blends in well with the rest of the bike essentially disapearing to all but those who know the bike well and are looking for it.    The first four people that saw it said almost the exact same words - "looks like it came that way" (i.e., from Suzuki as part of the original equipment).

   

[RichlandRick]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING A FORK BRACE. 

The brace comes with both halves bolted together with four bolts.

Remove the bolts and seperate the front and back halves.

Place the front half of the brace (the larger half) in place by sliding it down over the fork tubes. 

The brace should be level with the metal top of the tube.  This ensures adequate space between the brace and the fender.

Slide the back half into place being mindful of the brake hoses.

Insert and hand tighten the two inner 35 mm bolts, again making sure that the brace is level with the top metal surface of the fork tube and sufficient clearance exists between the brace and the fender. 

Insert the 25 mm bolts in the outer holes and hand tighten.

[RichlandRick]

Yes, the DL1000 brace and DL650 brace are both $80 plus postage.

[greywolf]

I would recommend loosening the axle pinch bolt(s) before installing the brace, pumping the front end up and down a few times after the brace is installed, then tightening the pinch bolt(s).

[SideForce]

would recommend loosening the axle pinch bolt(s) before installing the brace, pumping the front end up and down a few times after the brace is installed, then tightening the pinch bolt(s).

Not knowing why, I have to ask why?

[greywolf]

Not knowing why, I have to ask why?

It assures the position of the fork leg on the axle is at the best place to minimize fork bushing and seal wear. Imagine the front wheel off and no brace. There is nothing connecting the forks together except the triple clamps. The bottoms of the fork legs can be moved slightly together or apart without a lot of force, such an when an axle is inserted. Now attach a fork brace, push the tubes into the legs a few inches with the axle in and the pinch bolt(s) loose. The bottoms of the legs are better aligned on the axle. See http://www.superbrace.com/install/3304.pdf for instructions on installing a Superbrace. Rick's brace will benefit the same way. Pumping the forks is more important for bikes with no brace or with a brace not having a fixed distance between the holes but is still a good idea whenever the axle is re-installed.

[SideForce]

Glad I asked Greywolf!  Now I know.  Thank you.

[av8or]

Glad I asked Greywolf!  Now I know.  Thank you.

 

[mikebr]

What the .... ?.. I intend putting the brace on with the front wheel on like you would normally do 

[av8or]

What the .... ?.. I intend putting the brace on with the front wheel on like you would normally do 

you leave the wheel on, just loosen the pinch bolt for the axle some so the brace can seat/align properly

[fnord]

I got my fork brace this week and I love it.  I noticed a huge difference in handling immediately. The bike tracks so much better in wind and heavy traffic, and even slow speed corners are significantly more refined. The installation was a piece of cake and Rick was great to deal with. Highly recommend.

Enjoy!

[RichlandRick]

Eevryone - I am catching up on orders.  There are now more braces going out than orders coming in.  I should have all the exisiting DL1000 orders filled by this week-end and most of the 650s also.

I could really use a day off.

Rick

 

[Wee_V_in_Calgary]

Not to waste your time....  But how long does it take you to make one start to finish? 

Hope mine was in the bunch that has been sent out...

Thanks
D

[RichlandRick]

Yes, plenty busy indeed. 

My wife and boys are going on vacation to the Carolinas this Thursday.  I'm going to stay hegre in Washington and take the time off from work to tend to the cats and dawgs, and make fork braces. 

I made enough mirror extenders today to last a month or so (she who must be obeyed just disagreed with me, but we'll see)  Fortunetley the initial rush for fork braces has subsided.  I may be completely caught up in two weeks.