Proper way to install fork brace??

[gibi]

My 82 Aspencade had the brace on when I bought it.Left it on until I felt the front was not just right.Took it off and the ride is a lot better.The thing was on pretty tight.Not sure what the correct way and torgue to put it back on.Want to try it again,or just leave it off.Whats everybdody think THANKS

 

[dan filipi]

The fork brace is suppose to improve handling.

How do you mean "the ride was a lot better"?

 

[gibi]

With the brace on the the front end seemed stiff and not holding a line. iI felt like it was pushy in the turns and corners.It did not hop or seemed not bounce without it.That make sense.It was on pretty tight as the bolts needed some exrta push to get them loose.It felt more under control without it.

 

[slabghost]

That seems really odd. I'd check over how the front wheel is mounted to be sure everything is where it should be.

 

[backlander]

+ 1 on what slabghost said. I'd also get the rear wheel off the ground and check for side to side play in the swing arm. A lot of handling problems can be caused by something going on in the rear suspension. The fork brace was designed to control some of the flex in the forks which should improve handling and remove one of the problems that could cause front end wobble. The proper way to install the brace is to loosely bolt it into position, loosen the four axle holder cap nuts, make sure the letter F and arrow is pointed forward on the caps,bounce the front end a few times, make sure end of axle is flush with edge of right cap, torque the two front nuts, then torque the two rear nuts. Don't be alarmed if there is a gap left on back side of cap. bounce the front up and down a few times again, then tighten the four fork brace bolts. I couldn't find torque spec for the fork brace bolts but I doubt that it would be more than 20 ft pounds. Maybe someone else knows the torque spec.

 

[gibi]

Ok thanks for all the support.Loosened triple tree ,put brace back on,just snugged without being overly tight.Cant get back on for a ride for a couple days .Ill see what it does.Thanks again

 

[backlander]

Triple tree? I didn't say nothing bout the triple tree in my explanation, the triple tree is a whole different procedure.

 

[slabghost]

Loosening the triple tree may have just added more complications.

 

[gibi]

OOPs Sorry about the misquote about the triple tree.Must have had brain freeze.

 

[joedrum]

no big deal ...there is likely something going on here ....flush the tubes in triple tree at top both ....with wheel axcle bolts loosen some to giv if need be ....then tighten the axcle bolts as dicribe earlier by mike .....now check spacing at fork brace and triple tree to see if same or how close ....if really close or the same install for brace ....this is all done with wheel off the ground ...if spaceing is off a lot leave it off like you have done obviously it works better off when theres something up with tubes