fork brace

[kenpost2]

Do the fork braces really help that much

[Happytrails]

Would say they help but its not a dramatic difference. Slow speed handling improved for me but it seems like a cumulative thing when your steering isn't where you expect it. Replaced my front tires, changed air pressures and added a fork brace made a dramatic difference for me. But I think its ones of those YMMV (your mileage may vary) sort of things.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

Have seen lots of contradicting opinions on braces. I like the one I put on. It was primarily to address low speed steering issues, and it seemed to help in that regard. I used the Super Brace, because that is all that was available at the time. I hear the Blackwing brace is also very good, some say better. Some also say it makes no difference at all. To each his own. I also use synthetic oil, and that can stir up a load of opinions, as well.

[dingdong]

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=28654 This is about the 1500 but the principal is the same. I switched from a Super Brace to the Blackwing brace and noticed very little difference. No difference in low speed handling but a slight difference in hwy tracking.

[WingAdmin]

Interesting, because I had a Super Brace on my 1500, and the front end was wobbly and loose feeling - I assumed that's just how the bike felt. When I put the Blackwing Brace on, the front end tightened up so dramatically that it was like a whole new bike. Particularly at slow speed, and in corners, the difference was a huge improvement. Others have reported the same thing - see: Blackwing Brace for GL1500

I don't know if the GL1800 would benefit as much from one as much as the GL1500, others will have to chime in with their experience.

[tfdeputydawg]

My testing experience noted "NO" difference with or without!!!! 2 wheeled or triked!
But, I am not an aggressive rider.

[kybigmac]

I noticed quite a difference on my 93 GW trike at low speeds,took most of head shake away. I used the blackwing and think it was money well spent!

[minimac]

I noticed quite a bit of difference when I put my SuperBrace on. That was a few years ago, but I remember how wiggily my front end felt at low speed.

[wingman12]

I installed a super brace on my 99 many years ago because I noticed a couple of time a front wobble, read about it as a problem with the 1500. It took the wobble away but did seem to wander a lot if I was not paying close attention. I decided to try the black wing when it came out (I was skeptical) but to my surprise it made a world of difference, the front end felt a lot tighter, the bike seemed to move as one machine without bending in the middle, slow tight turns were impossible for me before. The only other better purchase was the wing right out of the crate.

[newtothe1996wing]

Black Wing brace, AMAZING difference, even over the super brace, and I DO ride HARD from time to time, but most noticeable improvement is low speed maneuvering.
To each his own, but will not ride my 96 wing without it! BTW, my wing only has 10K actual miles, so forks still very tight.

[Happytrails]

Blackwing brace here as well. Not trying to promote them but here is a video so you can see it being installed. There is a video for the Superbrace as well.



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[Big Bee]

After rebuilding the forks a year ago on my 2010 Wing, I immediately put on a Superbrace. There are two original points that hold the forks to each other, the bridge and front axle. This leaves room for slop and flexing in the forks at the mid point above the lower tube. Adding a brace provides more structural integrity at the mid point and makes the forks work more as a single unit. Between the springs, rebuild, new tires, disabling the anti dive valve, and the Superbrace, my handling went from that of a bomber to a fighter. This is another Honda design flaw, heavy bike and mediocre forks. The reason for the rebuild is that a seal in the left fork blew out, probably the anti dive valve.

[crock4]

Interesting, because I had a Super Brace on my 1500, and the front end was wobbly and loose feeling - I assumed that's just how the bike felt. When I put the Blackwing Brace on, the front end tightened up so dramatically that it was like a whole new bike. Particularly at slow speed, and in corners, the difference was a huge improvement. Others have reported the same thing - see: Blackwing Brace for GL1500

I don't know if the GL1800 would benefit as much from one as much as the GL1500, others will have to chime in with their experience.

I currently do not have a fork brace, but after reading this thought I would go with the blackwing brace. My question, I googled a place to buy one, but could not find any. Do they make one for the 1800 non airbag? Thanks. Bob

[wingman12]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... e&_sacat=0 ebay has the link you need.

[crock4]

http://www.ebay.com/...Goldwing...Blackwing...brace ebay has the link you need.

I didn't see anything on there for a Gl1800 brace from blackwing., just kuryakin, traxion, Super Brace. They have them for all the other models though. Thanks anyway though for looking. Bob

[wingman12]

I have seen a contact with the persons that make the black wing brace, but I have been unsuccessful in locating the thread.

[Big Bee]

Wingstuff carries a black Super Brace that will fill your needs. That is the one I use, and it does look sharp.

[crock4]

Wingstuff carries a black Super Brace that will fill your needs. That is the one I use, and it does look sharp.

Thanks Big Bee, and thanks Wingman12 for your reply also. I'll take a look at the super brace. I was really wanting the blackwing brace, but I'm almost convinced they don't make one for the 1800. Seems every thread I find ends in a dead end. Bob

[WingAdmin]

I know they made one for the GL1800 at one point, but I haven't been able to find it on the Internet except for this archived picture from 2013...so whether or not they still make it, I suspect not.

I know that Superbrace told its dealers that if the dealers sold Blackwing Brace products, they would refuse to sell them Superbraces, so that pretty much killed all the Blackwing brace distribution points. That's why it's only on eBay and direct.

[crock4]

I know they made one for the GL1800 at one point, but I haven't been able to find it on the Internet except for this archived picture from 2013...so whether or not they still make it, I suspect not.

I know that Superbrace told its dealers that if the dealers sold Blackwing Brace products, they would refuse to sell them Superbraces, so that pretty much killed all the Blackwing brace distribution points. That's why it's only on eBay and direct.

blackwing_brace.png

Thanks for that update. I suspected there was some kind of issue involved. Going to go with the super brace. Again thank you all for your help.
Bob

[bodasefus]

I have a question on the brace... I have a 1990 GL1500... When I changed the steering head bearing,,, I took off the front fender off... Under the fender is a brace that is bolted to the forks...
Question: The Blackwing Brace attaches to the lower bracket as an additional strengther ???

[WingAdmin]

I have a question on the brace... I have a 1990 GL1500... When I changed the steering head bearing,,, I took off the front fender off... Under the fender is a brace that is bolted to the forks...
Question: The Blackwing Brace attaches to the lower bracket as an additional strengther ???

That bracket is not really a brace - it's far too thin. It's used to have a threaded surface to screw the plastic fender pieces into. So yes, the brace goes on the top, and screws into that, which keeps it from working free, but it is the fine tolerances between the forks that keeps it working.

[bodasefus]

OK,,, thanks... I can see how the blackwing brace is better than the superbrace... I will try it...

[keithg64]

I have some time on my side, I made my own with the best of both brace's.

[t2oldbikes]

Fork braces generally help a great deal. While I have yet to put one on the GL1100i the two I've made in the past helped both bikes they were on. They tend to stabilize the front and prevent twisting effects from bumps and things like railroad tracks, ruts and pavement seams.
One caveat that will help to get the greatest benefit from one is to make sure your fork tubes are in alignment when installing one. If the upper and lower portions of the fork clamps are misaligned it will cause binding or striction on compression and rebound as distances between the tubes change but that said very minor differences won't be noticeable to most. If you get a good price on one buy it and install it.