Topic: Alloy fork brace from Carpy for cb750. Anyone used one?

[Shanedalion]

I bobbed my front fender, still have/using the original fender brace but would like to stiffen it up a little more. Has anyone used the brace from Carpy? Looks like it works on any k model?

[Retro Rocket]

Link.?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

http://www.cb750cafe.com/products-page/steering/alloy-fork-brace/

[Ricky_Racer]

That's the old "chopper" tube brace. Better to spend your hard-earned $$$ on a Tarozzi or, if you can find one, Telefix brace. They actually do work!

This could be an interesting discussion... RR

[Retro Rocket]

+1 RR, Thats not what most of us here would refer to as a "fork brace", thats a "tweak bar" and was common on choppers in the 70's, a proper fork brace should attach to the tops of the fork lowers....   

Fork brace

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=103654.0

[Ricky_Racer]

Of course, it goes real well with checkerboard stripes and 16" rear Harley wheels....    RR

[Retro Rocket]

Of course, it goes real well with checkerboard stripes and 16" rear Harley wheels....    RR

Maybe its fashion mate, never really understood fashion....

[Shanedalion]

Thanks, I emailed tkat. I think if I powder coat his black I'll like it better. At least it should do what its designed to do.

[seanbarney41]

Carpy's "brace" leaves you no suspension travel...think what would happen if you are hard on the brakes and then hit a pothole...the way he has it pictured installed on his site is just stupid and probably unsafe...and is going to damage your bike at the least

[scottly]

 

[crazypj]

+1 RR, Thats not what most of us here would refer to as a "fork brace", thats a "tweak bar" and was common on choppers in the 70's, a proper fork brace should attach to the tops of the fork lowers....   

Fork brace

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=103654.0

 +100
That's a tweak bar and a waste of money
I've made various types to clamp onto fork slider, stopping the sliders twisting improves handling
The link to tKat fork brace is the one you want.
No idea of price, but, if I was making it, it would be in the $200~250 range (time, material, etc)
It is a NOTICEABLE improvement  (which, by 'seat of pants' is at least 10%+ improvement)

[Viktor.J]

And worth noticing, what bike do you have ? IF you have the up to K2 (right?) Low-lower forks then you'll have problem finding a forkbrace. I havent found one so far..... I emailed Tkat. This is what I got, so ...

"Ok, I made a Beta run of CB 750 Ks end of last yr.  There wasn't much interest in 'em & they were a real PITA.
Due to the short sliders I've had to design in separate risers.  A real time taker.  5 extra set-ups per part plus the final hand fitt'n. 

Then we have the packag'n.  The USPS doesn't have the free Priority Boxes that will suit them. 
So it's off to the packaging store for padding, boxes, &c.

All in all a real   [Grmblegrmbl]

Final pricing: Production parts:       
   $165/set delivered domestically, Canuks & International a bit more to cover the extra shippi'n cost.

But 1st, there's gotta be more interest - say at least 10 sets.

I'll keep a list of inquiries & when there's enuf interest I'll revisit the proj.

Tkat,

From the Klingon:
   "Don't annoy the Commander of a Battle Star if all you command is a garbage scow.""

[andrewk]

We might want to make a thread on that- I'd be in for one of Tkat's braces, and I'm sure we could find 8 more people?

[seanbarney41]

Tkat's for only 165$?...that seems like a pretty good deal.  I've been using this tubular steel one...seems like it would be an economical solution if you can find one.  I bought mine used here and can feel it working, but I have no idea if these are available.

[MCRider]

We might want to make a thread on that- I'd be in for one of Tkat's braces, and I'm sure we could find 8 more people?

Remember he's talking about the pre K3 legs that are lower then the top of the tire. Market not so big. K0s want original stuff. Many K1/K2 cafe racers convert to GS forks. Or keep the stock fender mount fork brace, a little flimsy but does the job.

To fit the modified TKAT which is a very nice piece, someone here has one, you have to do away with the stock fender.  Mine was made by Saldana Racing Roducts. The bobbed fender bolts to the bottom of the brace doing away with the stock brace, but keeping the stock fender. They aren't interested in making another.

What can one say about the shameless way Carpie is hawking that tweak bar? Typical Carpie.

[crazypj]

tKat is doing everyone a favor at $165.00, (even though he needs a minimum order of 10)
 I've made various custom braces and wouldn't make a one off for less than $250.00, just too damn time consuming with multiple set ups (plus, I don't have CNC so EVERYTHING is one off custom  )

[john campling]

Yeah I agree that tweak looks just plain dangerous
Do the GS forks fit straight on ? presume it's GS 750

[MCRider]

Yeah I agree that tweak looks just plain dangerous
Do the GS forks fit straight on ? presume it's GS 750

Its been done several times, many threads and guidelines on the forum. I think its GS750s, IIRC, but just about anything cn be made to fit with enough desire. I think you have to press out the steering stem, remount the instruments, stuff like that.

GL1000 are popular frontends and maybe its this swap that requires a swap of the steering stem.

[andrewk]

We might want to make a thread on that- I'd be in for one of Tkat's braces, and I'm sure we could find 8 more people?

Remember he's talking about the pre K3 legs that are lower then the top of the tire. Market not so big. K0s want original stuff. Many K1/K2 cafe racers convert to GS forks. Or keep the stock fender mount fork brace, a little flimsy but does the job.

To fit the modified TKAT which is a very nice piece, someone here has one, you have to do away with the stock fender.  Mine was made by Saldana Racing Roducts. The bobbed fender bolts to the bottom of the brace doing away with the stock brace, but keeping the stock fender. They aren't interested in making another.

What can one say about the shameless way Carpie is hawking that tweak bar? Typical Carpie.

Ah, that's something to take note of.  I've got a K3, so it's got the later style forks on it.  Is there something similar made for later style forks?

[seanbarney41]

just a note...gl1000 entire frontend swaps right on...bolt on deal...never heard of the gs swap so I can't tell ya the details but it certainly would be better brakes for sure

[MCRider]

We might want to make a thread on that- I'd be in for one of Tkat's braces, and I'm sure we could find 8 more people?

Remember he's talking about the pre K3 legs that are lower then the top of the tire. Market not so big. K0s want original stuff. Many K1/K2 cafe racers convert to GS forks. Or keep the stock fender mount fork brace, a little flimsy but does the job.

To fit the modified TKAT which is a very nice piece, someone here has one, you have to do away with the stock fender.  Mine was made by Saldana Racing Roducts. The bobbed fender bolts to the bottom of the brace doing away with the stock brace, but keeping the stock fender. They aren't interested in making another.

What can one say about the shameless way Carpie is hawking that tweak bar? Typical Carpie.

Ah, that's something to take note of.  I've got a K3, so it's got the later style forks on it.  Is there something similar made for later style forks?

I'm pretty sure the regular makers like Telefix, might have them. But they may still require dumping the fender.

It may be that there are no commercially available braces till you et to K7/K8: Fs.

AS someone who has actually run a tweak bar on a stock front end, I can tell you they do stiffen up the front end. Like using a billet lower triple clamp that has a larger clamping space. More clamp on the tubes = less flex. But you can see how high I had to run it. Even at that, the fender had a mark on it where it kissed the clamp. And you can't get the key into the fork lock.



Thsi is how mine ended up looking.

[seanbarney41]

[/quote]
It may be that there are no commercially available braces till you et to K7/K8: Fs
[/quote]pretty sure this is the case as k3-k6 lowers are the same length as the k0-k2, just different brake mounts and damper internals

[MCRider]

It may be that there are no commercially available braces till you et to K7/K8: Fs
[/quote]pretty sure this is the case as k3-k6 lowers are the same length as the k0-k2, just different brake mounts and damper internals
[/quote]
I was thinking the K3-K6 lowers were taller, but maybe not, as you say. In either event I'm pretty sure there's not enough left over to preserve the stock fender. And to be commercially viable, it needs to be a bolt on.

So that may not have happened until K7+

[Retro Rocket]

just a note...gl1000 entire frontend swaps right on...bolt on deal...never heard of the gs swap so I can't tell ya the details but it certainly would be better brakes for sure

I think Ron means GSXR, but its no straight bolt on. GS forks are marginally better {if at all} than a good set of stock forks...  Also Ron, with the brace its about twist more than flex, the tweak bar just under the lower clamp does virtually nothing for the twisting forces...

[MCRider]

just a note...gl1000 entire frontend swaps right on...bolt on deal...never heard of the gs swap so I can't tell ya the details but it certainly would be better brakes for sure

I think Ron means GSXR, but its no straight bolt on. GS forks are marginally better {if at all} than a good set of stock forks...  Also Ron, with the brace its about twist more than flex, the tweak bar just under the lower clamp does virtually nothing for the twisting forces...

Twist, flex, whatever, I must have been dreaming. Did you have one on yours?