Blackwing Fork Brace reliability

[Pgrgunny]

I have read the concerns about the Bolts used to secure the Blackwing GL 1500 Fork Brace.

I had a pothole incident that damaged the front wheel enough to need replacing. The Blackwing brace and the bolts were undamaged. Please read the complete incident below:

I am the State Captain for the California Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). I ride my 1998 SE GL1500 Thousands of miles each year in support of our Fallen Military and First Responders. I ride regardless of the time or weather.

I would like to share this incident that should prove the effectiveness and reliability of the Blackwing Brace and the Bolts that clamp it to the forks.

A fallen Solider was being returned Home to his Family. He was flown from Charlotte North Carolina to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). From there The PGR escorted His Coach and Family from LAX 90 miles to his Hometown in Romoland CA. He arrived at 2200 on a very cold and rainy night. We completed the escort at 0030. I then rode the 40 miles to my Home in Fontana CA. The weather was still cold and rainy.

I was riding 2 up with another PGR member on an unfamiliar back road at about 70 mph when I hit a series of potholes. The impact was very hard I slowed down to about 35 mph to evaluate the situation. I felt NO vibration and I let go of the handlebars, there was no dreaded wobble. Feeling nothing wrong I accelerated back to 70-75 mph and continued home. I Put the bike in the garage and went inside to dry off and warm up.

The following day I went out to inspect the bike. I found that the cover that is behind the right fork was gone. Further inspection revealed that the front wheel had a Sizable Deformation. How my Bridgestone G703 did not rupture is testament to its durability.

The wheel needed to be replaced and I found one on Ebay for a reasonable price plus shipping. I replaced the tire also.

While the wheel was off I inspected the front forks for damage to include the Blackwing Fork Brace.

Luckily there was no frontend damage to include the Black Wing Fork Brace. I retorqued the brace bolts just to make sure. The bolts had remained torqued and undamaged.

I hope that this will dispel any reservations to purchasing the Blackwing Fork Brace. I think it helped to save my ass.

Please do not tell me Wife how fast I was going.

[DenverWinger]

Hi Gunny,

A scary ride indeed!

Just to be clear, is this is a recently installed brace with the bolts they are currently shipping, or you've had your brace a few years now?

Thanks for your service and all you do!

[Pgrgunny]

The brace has been on for a few years, however the bolts are the same as comes with the brace now. To my knowledge the bolts have never changed.

[Pgrgunny]

This is my second Blackwing brace. The first went with my totaled 1989 1500. This brace has 80K miles on it.

[newday777]

Hey Gunny
A good testament of testing of the brace. Glad you made it through another test, unscathed this time.
I haven't been out on many missions since my white 99 was totaled in 2013, maybe 2 or 3 on my 08 since.
I used to ride with Chuck J. We were both in Oceanside. Anyhow, life got in the way..... Merry Christmas bro.
Stu