Fork brace for UCE bikes?

[sparklow]

Anyone know of a fork brace to fit our UCE bikes? I mean a brace besides the ridiculously overpriced one from Hitchcocks. If I could find one that was affordable I'd buy it!

[barenekd]

The G5s come with a very substantial fork brace. I don't think the B/C5s have the mounting holes.
Bare

[1 Thump]

'Search' is your friend: Here is previous discussion on this subject.
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,14999.msg160764.html#msg160764

[mattsz]

Good find, 1 Thump, but that thread seems to have died without a resolution...

[sparklow]

1 Thump - I had read that thread today before posting and as mattsz stated there was no resolution. I was hoping someone maybe knew of an aftermarket solution other than Hitchcocks. I have a fork brace on my XS650 and I am convinced of the effectiveness of using one.

[AgentX]

I think the superbrace guys were interested but no one could/would send measurements.  I just got a UCE-style disc fork for my old bike and would be very interested in a brace, but am probably not the precision kind of guy they'd need for measurements.  My caliper is big enough to take the OD of the fork sliders and probably the distance between the inner facing surfaces of the fork, though...maybe I should get in touch with them.

Wonder if they'd make one which bolts into the fender mount bosses and could support a properly-drilled plain aftermarket fender...

[1 Thump]

I am in. I ll call em tomorrow and see what kind of measurements they want. 

[AgentX]

Thanks man!!!!  I am 100% down for a purchase if they need a minimum number or a prototype tester...

Would you guys want one that works with the stock fender, or replaces it?

[1 Thump]

If folks could post measurements here that would be helpful. C5 and b5 have fork tubes that are in the way. My classics will need fork tubes to be removed and replaced with gators .

[AgentX]

Ah.  I have the Electra-style fork...

[1 Thump]

That's a totally different kind of setup. The fender kind of acts as a brace bolted on to the forks.

[1 Thump]

Just spoke with Chris at superbrace. He says they have over 250 different fork braces and their is a chance that something off the shelf might just fit. So, he needs measurements: Outer diameter of the fork and 'center to center' measurement i.e. from center of one fork to the center of the other. He said approximate measurements is fine for now. 

[gremlin]

the way my B5's front fender scrapes the paint from the fork tube covers -- I sincerely doubt any additional "hardware" would fit......

[motorat]

there will have to be a kit where the fork tubes are replaced with gaitors. there is no way you can put a brace on with the tubes.

[1 Thump]

Yup, the tubes need to be replaced with gators go. You may or may not replace them with gators. I believe there is a model of RE they sell in India that has no gators or fork tubes

[Ducati Scotty]

It's gonna look really spindly, those tubes are skinny.  I'd recommend the gators for sure.

Also, if you put the brace on you could probably use it as a mounting point for the front fender.  It's probably strong enough to be the only mounting point if the fender is rigid enough.

Scott

[mattsz]

the way my B5's front fender scrapes the paint from the fork tube covers -- I sincerely doubt any additional "hardware" would fit......

 

What's with fenders scraping paint off tube covers?!?  Never mind, that's another subject...

[AgentX]

That's a totally different kind of setup. The fender kind of acts as a brace bolted on to the forks.

Kind of...that's one of the things I like about the design.  But it's not appreciably different than the old fork in feel during use.  I'll take the measurements and get with Superbrace for those of us on the Electra side of the fence...

[The_Rigger]

I mean a brace besides the ridiculously overpriced one from Hitchcocks.

Hm... I see the range of prices on superbrace.com runs from around us$150 to us$250, or maybe a hair more, depending on make and model.  The brace that actually, y'know, *fits* our bikes, 'cuz it was actually designed to, sells from Hitchcocks for us$264 or so.

It may just be me, but I don't see that as "ridiculously overpriced."

[Kevin Mahoney]

The paint scraping is normally a function of centering the fender. I normally use a finger on each side of the indentation on the top of the fender. Loosen the fender stays at the fork and you can move them around enough to do the job. Use your fingers as a guide to centering (equal depths into the indentations). The B5 used a 350 type fender and they are very close to the fork tubes. Occasionally I have squeezed the fender to narrow it slightly.

[gremlin]

.............. The B5 used a 350 type fender ...............

Thanks !   for the confirmation.
I was planning on upgrading my front tire to a 350 ( 5 years from now when the K70-325 finally wears out )
I'll probably replace the shields with gaitors & a brace when that time comes.

[t120rbullet]

.............. The B5 used a 350 type fender ...............

Thanks !   for the confirmation.
I was planning on upgrading my front tire to a 350 ( 5 years from now when the K70-325 finally wears out )
I'll probably replace the shields with gaitors & a brace when that time comes.

350 as in 350cc Enfield Bullet's used larger fenders than the 500cc models did.
Not tire size.

[gremlin]

350 as in 350cc Enfield Bullet's used larger fenders than the 500cc models did.
Not tire size.

Doh !

[sparklow]

Well, The_Rigger, I paid approx. $55 some years ago for the fork brace on my Yamaha XS650. I looked at MikesXS today and they are now $65 so I guess that's were my idea of pricing comes from.  "Ridiculously overpriced" is a matter of our personal pocketbook and I wouldn't pay $250 - $300 for a fork brace.