Author Topic: Installing new fork brace on 550? (Read 5115 times)

messeduptriple · « **on:** February 10, 2012, 12:41:04 pm »

I ordered a new Chrome fork brace to replace the junk brace I got now... While working on the bike yesterday I was looking underneath the brace and trying to see how the old brace comes out... How does it come out? Should I loosen the triple up and that works with it to remove or how's it done properly?? Sorry if my ?s are dumb sometimes but I just wanna do this correct. Thanks for all your help so far guys..my project is coming back together well now ..half way done now. Thanks for any info on this!
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

MCRider · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2012, 01:45:38 pm »

picture? Most fork brace designs are simple clamps around the tops of the lower legs. Usually pretty obvious.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2012, 01:51:52 pm »

I guess I'm thinkn the lower part of the bottom where the forks are being slid.. there's two seperate clamps that tighten the forks down. Is that lower part replaceable???

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

MCRider · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:01:32 pm »

Sorry, not following you.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:46:45 pm »

I'll post pic when I go outside later. If you look at the bike it has two seperate slots that the forks go in to hold them steady and in place. The top triple and theres a lower slot as well. What is that?? Lower brace?? I have bad knowledge of proper names. I was thinkn lower fork brace.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

MCRider · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2012, 03:33:39 pm »

Quote from: messeduptriple on February 10, 2012, 02:46:45 pm

I'll post pic when I go outside later. If you look at the bike it has two separate slots that the forks go in to hold them steady and in place. The top triple and theres a lower slot as well. What is that?? Lower brace?? I have bad knowledge of proper names. I was thinkn lower fork brace.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Ah, that's the lower triple, or steering stem. A brace is an add on accessory, not (usually) part of the original equipment.

So yeah, you'll need to prop the front up (weight on the seat while its on the center stand) pull the front wheel, pull the fork tubes out of the triple clamps, disassemble the triple clamps (top and lower) bearings fall out. Reassemble with the shiny chrome part.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:09:05 pm »

Quote from: MCRider on February 10, 2012, 03:33:39 pm

Quote from: messeduptriple on February 10, 2012, 02:46:45 pm
I'll post pic when I go outside later. If you look at the bike it has two separate slots that the forks go in to hold them steady and in place. The top triple and theres a lower slot as well. What is that?? Lower brace?? I have bad knowledge of proper names. I was thinkn lower fork brace.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Ah, that's the lower triple, or steering stem. A brace is an add on accessory, not (usually) part of the original equipment.

So yeah, you'll need to prop the front up (weight on the seat while its on the center stand) pull the front wheel, pull the fork tubes out of the triple clamps, disassemble the triple clamps (top and lower) bearings fall out. Reassemble with the shiny chrome part.

would you happen to know a site where I can replace that stem steering? I hate mine.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:11:18 pm »

What exactly do you hate about it? It's perfectly functional.

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:26:53 pm »

Triple - consider changing the triple tree top. I recently put a stock polished one on my 550 cafe, but there are some really cool ones out there.

These are for a 750, but you can get an idea:

http://www.jokermachine.com/itemcafe2004.asp?ItemID=715&CategoryID=85&Placeholder=

messeduptriple · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:38:48 pm »

Just got it today!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Stev-o · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2012, 05:10:48 pm »

Yes, nice!

Cheffish · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2012, 07:33:55 pm »

Inquiring minds wanna know where the hell you got that!

Scott S · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2012, 07:39:25 pm »

That's the top triple tree. If I'm reading your posts correctly, you're wanting to put that on the bottom? Ain't gonna work that way....

messeduptriple · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2012, 07:54:24 pm »

Quote from: Scott S on February 10, 2012, 07:39:25 pm

That's the top triple tree. If I'm reading your posts correctly, you're wanting to put that on the bottom? Ain't gonna work that way....

I think I managed this backwards in explanation. I orderd the top triple which you see...but I orderd a fork brace and thought that could replace the tree setup. Now I know I was wrong. My fork clamp is coming in soon. My question is where can I get the bottom tree setup??? Chrome? For a 550

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

messeduptriple · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2012, 07:57:51 pm »

Quote from: Cheffish on February 10, 2012, 07:33:55 pm

Inquiring minds wanna know where the hell you got that!

http://www.bullitcustomcycles.com/
These cool guys made it. Good guy on here named jamesb hooked me up with the stamp on the setup....on site there not stamped with Honda...you'll have to talk to them or jamesb for that

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:01:21 pm »

Yes, you could have your bottom triple chromed, unlike the top, it is made of steel.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:06:27 pm »

Quote from: Stev-o on February 10, 2012, 08:01:21 pm

Yes, you could have your bottom triple chromed, unlike the top, it is made of steel.

understand..but I like the blocky look...instead of my older look. I see that joker site has the tree setup but for 750 Honda...will that fit 550? Also I'm wondering if it would fit a swap from differnt company setups? Meaning will my top triple fit a different company bottom?? Like is this a universal fitting part?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Cheffish · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:09:59 pm »

It's never universal when there's geometry involved. Why don't you call those guys and have them make you a bottom clamp?

messeduptriple · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:15:09 pm »

Quote from: Cheffish on February 10, 2012, 08:09:59 pm

It's never universal when there's geometry involved. Why don't you call those guys and have them make you a bottom clamp?

I never thought of that....I will do that Monday. Thanks for the insight. Might be costly though..seen jokers full setup running 500$+ :@

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Cheffish · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2012, 08:42:33 pm »

Anything from joker is ridiculously overpriced IMO.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:09:14 pm »

Quote from: Cheffish on February 10, 2012, 08:42:33 pm

Anything from joker is ridiculously overpriced IMO.

that's what I kinda thought... I mean my triple clamp was 120$ or something like that...thinkn a bottom would be nice around that price

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Cheffish · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:29:08 pm »

That's a steal! I would have bought them and resold them at that price

Danno · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2012, 11:47:16 pm »

the bottom clamp will be at least double that

matt mattison · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:22:16 am »

Make sure that's not a 750 upper triple you got there. Bullet Cycle gets their trees from Cycle X. On the Cycle X website they only claim to be producing upper and lower billet trees for the 750.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:25:17 am »

Quote from: matt mattison on February 11, 2012, 05:22:16 am

Make sure that's not a 750 upper triple you got there. Bullet Cycle gets their trees from Cycle X. On the Cycle X website they only claim to be producing upper and lower billet trees for the 750.

well I hope it fits...otherwise ill be upset

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Stev-o · « **Reply #25 on:** February 11, 2012, 08:38:00 am »

FYI - real easy to take off the upper triple:

Remove bars and all bolts and use a rubber hammer to pop it off.

messeduptriple · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2012, 07:25:50 am »

Setup worked great..prob is my lower fork brace I wanted from carpys doesn't fit 550 only 750.
Anyone know where I could get one for the 76 550?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

MCRider · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2012, 11:59:20 am »

This guy makes them, originally for yamahas, but now for anything. Click on the links for pricing and ordering etc. http://www.tkat.com/forkbrace.html

Of course the usual suspects, SuperBrace, etc. But i like the tkat design and uniqueness.

News:

Author Topic: Installing new fork brace on 550? (Read 5115 times)