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Old 09-13-2015, 09:54 PM   #16
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duffy View Post
Do you make one for the 1500 Classic FI?
Sorry, no.
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Garry

2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms
2011 1700 Nomad
Improve handling, suspension and tire life
with Garry's Fork Brace.
PM for details.



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Old 09-14-2015, 05:12 AM   #17
buckey1313   buckey1313 is offline
 
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Yes let me know also if you make one for the 1700 Vulcan Nomad as I can feel flexing in the front forks. I had one on my old Goldwing 1100 years ago and it did improve and make a more stable feeling bike. I run my bike with a Lees-ure Lite Tent Trailer and if I have the front pod a little over stuffed I do feel the forks flex quite a bit actually.

I would sure get one if you could do it with out any real modifications to the front forks for sure.

Dave
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Old 09-15-2015, 04:53 PM   #18
dlars   dlars is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gv550 View Post
I can't speak for Ray, but I can go through my reasons for wanting a fork brace. As you say, with new tires, fresh fluids and good maintenance the stock Voyager actually feels quite solid and well mannered, but I found when riding 2-up, full saddlebags and a trunk full of 'girl' stuff my steering would begin to feel rubbery and the bike would not hold a steady line through a curve if there were any bumps or tar snakes. I have a fork brace on my KLR and felt the improvements it made so I began thinking of a way to mount one on my Voyager. The KLR brace is 9 separate pieces plus 8 capscrews, and 4 nuts...... but I wanted something much simpler and stronger for the big bike. I came up with the design you see here, one piece of aluminum and 2 capscrews.... and no Kawasaki parts are modified, the bike can be put back to stock if you don't like the brace on there.
After installing the brace the bike handles significantly better when loaded heavy, to the point of not being able to feel any flex at all through bumpy curves. As an added benefit, the front suspension just performs so much better even when travelling straight, solo or 2-up.
This mod certainly won't appeal to everyone, and for many riders it may not be warranted.
I recall when Ray introduced his throttle mod, lots of discussion, even a few critics but those who tried it raved about it. I expect there are several hundred riders out there with modified throttle tubes and I haven't heard of anyone wanting it put back to stock!
Same with the fork brace, after having tasted the nectar of better handling and suspension I could never go back to stock..... honestly I'd sell the bike and get a Triumph Trophy or Connie14 if I had to remove the brace.
Interesting, thanks for the comments. You can always count on someone from these forums to come up with their own fixes for different issues
 
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Old 11-26-2015, 12:41 PM   #19
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Here is a photo of the front tire removed from my Voyager. It is a Michelin Commander 2 with 50,000 kms of wear. (31,000 miles) This is the first new front tire since installing my fork brace, and it still has 1 mm of tread above the wear bar. There is slight cupping on the left side and none on the right side.
Prior to installing the brace I had run 4 identical front tires and never got over 40,000 kms, most were worn to the wear bars at 35,000 kms and had significantly more cupping on both sides.
Same tire, same bike, same rider, same pressure (38psi), with 2 oz of ceramic beads. Only change was adding the brace.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg tire 002.jpg (87.9 KB, 57 views)
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Garry

2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms
2011 1700 Nomad
Improve handling, suspension and tire life
with Garry's Fork Brace.
PM for details.
 
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Old 05-01-2016, 10:08 AM   #20
MET-RICK   MET-RICK is offline
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Very happy to say that after installing Garry's fork brace and doing some spirited testing I found my Vaq. feels much more stable in the corners, especially when making planned and or unplanned adjustments to the line mid corner. Also seems easier and more stable flicking the Vaq. back and forth in tight switchbacks. The instructions and install were straight forward, and the quality and workmanship were top notch. A very good investment and well worth the money by my standards and riding habits....adds greater stability and control when hitting a bump, dip or divot when cornering with speed that unleashes the rubber cow, helps minimise the 'pucker factor' during those situations. While the forks were out I also changed out the fork fluid, @31000 klm @ 2 yrs . Cheers



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Old 05-23-2016, 08:53 PM   #21
jtk   jtk is offline
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I bought RACYNRAYS old brace and I have to say this is one of the best things I have done to my VAQ. It has made the frontend so much more stable. It really takes away the feel from bumps on long turns like on and off ramps and just bumps in general.

Would also like to give a shout out to Garry for taking the time to make this. And he also sent me installation instruction for free even though I didn't purchase from him.
 
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Old 05-23-2016, 09:25 PM   #22
Iamriding   Iamriding is offline
 
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You'll love the brace more with each ride. Are you adding fork gators as well?
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Old 05-23-2016, 10:00 PM   #23
jtk   jtk is offline
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Going to go without for now and see how it works. Did you have problems without them?
 
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Old 05-24-2016, 09:08 AM   #24
RACNRAY   RACNRAY is offline
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I got the Vaq back together this past weekend and was reminded how rubbery feelin the front end is without the brace. Glad it found a good home!!!

RACNRAY
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Old 06-05-2016, 03:28 PM   #25
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Any word on this being made for the 1700 Nomad?
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Old 06-05-2016, 06:27 PM   #26
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hayes View Post
Any word on this being made for the 1700 Nomad?
Not yet. I'm still looking for someone willing to loan me a 17 Nomad so I can get some measurements. Free installation and a beverage to the first taker.........
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Garry

2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms
2011 1700 Nomad
Improve handling, suspension and tire life
with Garry's Fork Brace.
PM for details.
 
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Old 06-06-2016, 12:11 AM   #27
hayes   hayes is offline
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Damn, I would if I was close...
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Old 06-08-2016, 09:34 PM   #28
jborushko   jborushko is offline
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to clarify

it will fit a vaquero 1700?

how much does it cost?

how do i order?

EDIT: i found your classifieds http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showt...ght=fork+brace

Last edited by jborushko; 06-08-2016 at 09:37 PM.
 
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Old 06-14-2016, 11:29 AM   #29
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buckey1313 View Post
Yes let me know also if you make one for the 1700 Vulcan Nomad as I can feel flexing in the front forks. I had one on my old Goldwing 1100 years ago and it did improve and make a more stable feeling bike. I run my bike with a Lees-ure Lite Tent Trailer and if I have the front pod a little over stuffed I do feel the forks flex quite a bit actually.

I would sure get one if you could do it with out any real modifications to the front forks for sure.

Dave
Dave, I plan to be in Edmonton a few days in July, 15-20th. Any chance we can get together so I measure your forks?
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Garry

2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms
2011 1700 Nomad
Improve handling, suspension and tire life
with Garry's Fork Brace.
PM for details.
 
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Old 07-19-2016, 10:46 PM   #30
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hayes View Post
Any word on this being made for the 1700 Nomad?
Hayes, I now have the measurements required to design a brace for the 1700 Nomad, thanks to Dave in Alberta. I'll be proceeding with this next week, are you still interested?
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Garry

2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms
2011 1700 Nomad
Improve handling, suspension and tire life
with Garry's Fork Brace.
PM for details.
 
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