Fork brace advice

[MikeyG]

I live in Christchurch New Zealand where we have had a lot of earthquakes over the last 2 years. Because of the quakes many of our roads are in bad condition with holes, bumps and cracks. Some of the cracks and bumps are parallel with the road.

I ride a Suzuki GN250 as a commuter for getting around town. With the cracks and bumps parallel to the road I have noticed tram lining and the front wheel getting upset.

Would fitting a fork brace help with these problems and make my riding more comfortable?

Exactly what benefits will a fork brace give me?

 

[Fix]

The main benefit of fitting a forkbrace is that it reduces the flex of the front forks. Hold your front tire between your knees and see how much you can turn you handlebars. That's the flex that a forkbrace reduces. Reducing that flex means your front tire stays more in line with your handlebars. And that means you can steer with more precision.

As to the problem at hand, it can't hurt, but I'm not sure it'll solve it.

 

[Frog]

A pair of progressive springs would be a better bet as far as the road surface is concerned, as for tram lining not a lot you can do, although maybe some knobbly's might help. On some bikes steel mudguards act as the brace that's why when fitting plastic guards it's important to fit a brace, If your bike is standard a brace would make little difference, and decent ones are expensive.

 

[MikeyG]

Thanks for the replies guys.

After a few more days riding I've decided that it is either a really shit peice of raod or there is something wrong with my bike.

Got a ticket on Friday and have to either do an advanced riding course or pay the fun tax. The course is a third the price of the ticket so I'll do that and get the instructor to take it for a spin and see what he thinks is wrong.

I'm really just after an excuse to make something for the bike.

 

[singkiwi]

Ah you want an excuse to make something?
Yes a fork brace will solve all your problems, you should make one as soon as possible and posts pics. These photos will also fix other people's problems too.

Cheers

Keep rocking in ChCh!

 

[Fix]

Like I said, other than a little added weight, there is no downside to a good fork brace. And plenty of upside. It may not solve the issue you have, but it can't hurt.