K100RT fork brace: is it worth it?

[dgoodwin]

I have a 1985 K100RT I bought (with 32K mi) and fixed up last summer and so far have ridden it about 5K miles on Missouri and Arkansas Ozark twisty roads. While it is a bit heavy, I like the way the K bike handles overall. But, I have wondered about seeking a fork brace in "Parts Wanted" for it. I have noticed, or thought I did, some slight flexing of the front forks when doing technical riding. Its nothing I have really worried that much about. But, would a fork brace noticeably strengthen the bike and improve handling? And if the voices of experience are positive, does anyone have one to sell?

Thanks ahead of time.

Cheers,
Dave

1985 BMW K100RT
1991 Yamaha XT600
1981 Yamaha XJ750

[Beemer01]

I use on one on my 85 K100RS. These were a popular add on - made in Germany - they are well crafted and seem to improve the handling. My bike came with on already installed.

You'll occasionally see them on the bay.

[Ridealot]

I put about 120k miles combined on 2 K100's. One with a fork brace and one without. About the only thing I noticed the fork brace did was to look cool.

The teleflex brace I had (I think thats what it was called) needed to be shimmed to the correct width. If you just put it on without adjusting it you ended up with the forks in a bind. Once adjusted correctly it did its job of looking cool without any more fuss. But as far as helping the handling it didn't really do much.

[dgoodwin]

Thanks for the information.

Dave

[MplsK100RT]

I put about 120k miles combined on 2 K100's. One with a fork brace and one without. About the only thing I noticed the fork brace did was to look cool.

The teleflex brace I had (I think thats what it was called) needed to be shimmed to the correct width. If you just put it on without adjusting it you ended up with the forks in a bind. Once adjusted correctly it did its job of looking cool without any more fuss. But as far as helping the handling it didn't really do much.


I'm not familiar with this piece of equipment...I have a K100RT...can you post a pic of each bike?

Thanks..

Mel.

[Beemer01]

http://www.xs11.com/pix/telefix1.jpg

[wmubrown]

I have a 1985 K100RT I bought (with 32K mi) and fixed up last summer and so far have ridden it about 5K miles on Missouri and Arkansas Ozark twisty roads. While it is a bit heavy, I like the way the K bike handles overall. But, I have wondered about seeking a fork brace in "Parts Wanted" for it. I have noticed, or thought I did, some slight flexing of the front forks when doing technical riding. Its nothing I have really worried that much about. But, would a fork brace noticeably strengthen the bike and improve handling? And if the voices of experience are positive, does anyone have one to sell?

Thanks ahead of time.

Cheers,
Dave

I think it would be a worthwhile investment. BMW added a brace to the K1100LT's so there's something to adding one to the K100. I bought a brace for my K100RT at the Rhinebeck rally. I can't remember who made it now, I don't believe it was Telefix. They weren't sure the model they had would work on my bike or not, but I took the chance. It made a noticeable improvement and riding around locally it felt much more stable! Unfortunately, when I hit the highway for the ride home, and began to hit bumps in the pavement at highway speeds, I found that the forks were binding up. The brace was pinching the fork tubes inward a little too much so the forks couldn't slide back out. I had to remove the brace to get them to extend properly again. I returned it and they didn't suggest an alternative. That was a few years and 2 bikes ago ;)

[weiner]

The '85' K100 has a one piece front fender with no brace or surpport between the front axle and the triple tree. '86' and on have a two piece fender with a fork brace. So the '84' & '85's benefit greatly from a fork brace. I bought a used Telefix fork brace for like $75, it is the best improvement for the cost in 22 years for this bike. I installed the brace somewhat tight and then losened it and bounced the forks with the brakes on and retightned, did this a couple of times to get it right.
The handling improvement is quite significant.

Wiener

[dgoodwin]

Well, I think finding and installing a brace is worth a try. Thanks for all the responses.

Dave