Blackwing fork brace availability

[Swagonmaster]

I have heard great things about the blackwing fork brace but I find it hard to find, anyone have a line on one? I'm tired of the floppy front end.

[Ivan Boring]

Unfortunately, it seems like they stopped making them. This is from their facebook page:
"Hello all; I am so sad to tell you that we are no longer making the Honda 1500 fork brace. should we be able to start up again i will let you know. I want to thank all of you for your interest in our product."

You probably have to find a used one, if possible.

[tfdeputydawg]

I have heard great things about the blackwing fork brace but I find it hard to find, anyone have a line on one? I'm tired of the floppy front end.

Just curious, how many miles on the bike since there was a fork rebuild and hear bearing torque checked or new head bearings installed?
I ask because I never felt a "floppy Front end" in either my 1500, nor my 1800. Springs were replaced approx. every 25K miles. Bushings at 50K. Head bearings torque checked when springs replaced.

[Swagonmaster]

It has 132k on it and I retorqued the head bearings about one k ago about the same time I took the rear apart to replace the d/shaft flex coupler (and a bunch of other work). I've only had the bike for a little over a year so I haven't put all of the miles on it myself. The problem is that the steering is nice and tight until I get in a very low speed tight turn like pulling out of a driveway and the front end feels as if every bolt in it is loose. Very unnerving.

[Rodzim]

Its a very heavy bike that takes time getting used to. Once you learn how to balance it at low speed you arent gonna notice it anyway. Ive had mine for about 800 miles and i still have a hard time at walking speed. Im coming from a roadstar which i can reach the ground flat footed sitting comfortably.
The wing is taller, heavier and with a higher center of mass, its a different animal from every other bike on the road. At speed though it handles like a sport bike.

[dingdong]

When I got my 1500 one of the first things I did was rebuild the front end and installed Progressives springs because of the slow speed handling. That improved the handling somewhat. Was told I needed a fork brace. I installed a Super Brace. I couldn't tell any difference. Some time later the Blackwing Brace came out. I read all the hype and replaced the Super Brace with a Blackwing Brace. Guess what! I still couldn't feel any difference. None! This beast just handles like a pig at slow speeds. And yes you do eventually get used to it with practice. Conclusion: Don't expect miracles. May not happen.

Oh! The Super Brace was supposed to be the greatest thing to ever happen when it was first introduced and they are still available. So if you don't find a Blackwing you could go that route.

[Rednaxs60]

As has been mentioned these are a heavier bike. With 132K miles on yours, do you know if the suspension has ever been renewed/upgraded? A soft/worn out suspension will give similar symptoms and at 132K miles, the original suspension is probably done. Would recommend considering a suspension upgrade to the Progressive fork springs and 416 series rear air shocks. You will notice an immediate improvement in performance. There are other alternatives but Progressive seems to be the most used. Using Progressive is a good weekend DIY project. If doing rebuild the front forks with new parts.

Other suspension systems are Traxion, Race Tech and such. Used Traxion on my ex-1800 and was quite pleased, price is an issue with Traxion. Once the suspension is renewed/upgraded then consider a fork brace. The fork brace compensates for fork twist and complements a good suspension. Cheers

[Swagonmaster]

Since I have installed the superbrace without fixing the problem I guess a fork rebuild is in the bikes future. Thanks for the advice.

[AZgl1800]

Since I have installed the superbrace without fixing the problem I guess a fork rebuild is in the bikes future. Thanks for the advice.

back about 3 bikes ago, I had purchased a '94SE that had terrible fork twisting at zero speed while trying to get out of my driveway at home. I had to cross a short space of flower bed to get to concrete and on my way.

I had the forks rebuilt, and added a Fork Brace at the same time.
The difference was astronomical for that bike.
the fork twisting disappeared completely.... so the combination of the brace and the rebuild with new sleeves, bushings, etc. did the trick.

[RockportDave]

If the fork oil is old I would start by replacing it. I changed mine and it did improve the ride. I installed a Blackwing brace and it did make a big difference in slow speed handling and it responds quicker at cruising speeds.
I hope they’re able to start producing them again.
Dave

[kane67]

Check carefully front wheel bearings, I had similar symptoms last summer, especially when turning bike in uneven non-tarmac.
First I retightened head bearings, no help. Then noticed right side wheel bearing having a noticeable play. Bike ran straight but was ”restless” very low speeds. I rebuilted forks and put Blackwing 3 years ago (20k km).
So, new AllBall bearings front and back.

[newday777]

It has 132k on it and I retorqued the head bearings about one k ago about the same time I took the rear apart to replace the d/shaft flex coupler (and a bunch of other work). I've only had the bike for a little over a year so I haven't put all of the miles on it myself. The problem is that the steering is nice and tight until I get in a very low speed tight turn like pulling out of a driveway and the front end feels as if every bolt in it is loose. Very unnerving.

Put your bike on the centerstand, jack front of the motor up to just lift the front wheel off the floor, slowly turn the handlebar left and right of center, do you feel a notch in the straight ahead position? If so you need to Replace the steering bearings. The race has a dent in it and cannot be retorqued to correct the problem. It effects the handling and only replacement will cure it. Get new Allballs tapered bearings and properly torque with the proper castle nut socket and torque wrench.

[Swagonmaster]

Wanted to let everyone know how the bike turned out. After rebuilding the front shocks and installing progressive springs the steering is much improved, the feel of the front end being mounted in soft rubber bushings has gone away. Thanks to everyone for the help and advice.

[Swagonmaster]

Looking back at my concluding comments I see that I forgot to mention that the front wheel bearings were replaced also. If anyone has a "looseness" problem in the front end realize that ANY play in the bearings will give a large amount of movement at the edge of the wheel.

[Jetfighter3]

I bought a superbrace about 6 months ago which is basically the same thing for $75 . They are in California and at that time just started manufacturing them again.

[WingAdmin]

I bought a superbrace about 6 months ago which is basically the same thing for $75 . They are in California and at that time just started manufacturing them again.

They're not the same thing, at all.

I had a Superbrace on my GL1500. It was fine.

Then I replaced it with a Blackwing fork brace. The difference was HUGE. The Blackwing brace is far superior, but anything is better than nothing.

If you Google around, you can still find Blackwing braces sold here and there, but to my knowledge, they haven't been made for a while now. The last thing they posted publicly was this:

11/29/2018
Hello all; I am so sad to tell you that we are no longer making the Honda 1500 fork brace. should we be able to start up again i will let you know. I want to thank all of you for your interest in our product.

Their phone number is (909) 208-7702, if anyone wants to give them a call.

It's really sad - Blackwing had a superior product, at a competitive price. Superbrace filed suit against them for patent infringement, forcing them to stop manufacturing and defend the suit - which they did, successfully. Blackwing then started selling again. Superbrace retaliated by contacting all of their distributors and telling them that they would refuse to sell Superbrace products to any distributor who carried the Blackwing fork brace. As a result, all the distributors stopped carrying the Blackwing braces, forcing Blackwing to subsist on direct sales only.

[Jetfighter3]

I called them for 9 months and the end result was his CNC machine broke down and was to much to fix so he decided not to make them any more, that's why I went with super brace.

[Wing--Man]

"Patent Infringement"
Can you imagine if someone patented the letter O and everything that even remotely looks like it.

I received my Blackwing Brace recently and I agree with WingAdmin, WOW! HUGE DIFFERENCE.
Two things I noticed was in long sweeping turns with speed bumps the Wing does not wobble or wallow anymore.
The other, when following big box trucks the wind vortices has no affect, again no wobble or wallowing. But I only tested 2 trucks so far.

[XJSRider]

Blackwing Engineering on facebook they are back in production I got one about a month ago made a big difference for me. Nice tight fit but no installation issues.

[Swagonmaster]

I was finally able to get one myself with good results!