frame side braces; worth the $$$/welded install?

[DOINTHETON]

have a chance to purchase a set of C&C frame side braces for my 83 R80/100 cafe mutant project. will have to pay someone to do the install (welding, paintwork). i like the visual cool factor, but will i notice any difference handling wise?
thanks, Bill

[jonpporter]

are yours the kind that you weld on a mount to the frame and then your able to bolt on the cross brace?

i have ridden one like that and there is a big difference in the way it feels when you push the bike in a corner. i think they are worth it. my $0.02

[flash412]

Install a billet top clamp and an aftermarket fork brace first. Bracing the frame is a waste if you haven't properly braced the forks.

If it is pose value you're after, then of course nothing is too expensive.

[rinty]

Since your project is a cafe bike, the side rails would significantly enhance the visuals, regardless of any handling improvement.

Rinty

[DOINTHETON]

Since your project is a cafe bike, the side rails would significantly enhance the visuals, regardless of any handling improvement.

Rinty
i'm with you. i think it just adds a little visual candy that helps the look. have a front fork brace (actually two a teleflex and a two piece san jose loop). on my 77 r100 i had the front fork brace, h-d bmw springs and a billet top clamp. never really felt any improvement. figured i'd try all those plus the side braces, a braced swingarm, and some performance shocks this time around. heres the old beast:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/billpack/DSC00885.jpg

[jonpporter]

where did you get your frame brace from? and the front fork brace?

[DOINTHETON]

had them on hand. stuff i've bought off ibmwr.org flea market, ebay, friends, word of mouth. i tend to stash some cool aftermarket bits and break them out for certain projects like this one.