| Author | Message | ||
     Tiltcylinder |
Picked up a super clean 2005 Blast for cheap to play with last month, it hadn't been ridden since 2007. The '09 XT then proceeded to have the exploding wheel bearing syndrome hit home (>12,000 mi). (Jealous of the new pup in the garage!)Three weeks in the dealer (four days before warranty ended) and no end in sight. So besides swapping the bars, grips and seat (installed a new tall one today, firmer not just taller) rejetting for the used V&H, swapping mirrors and a new set of Pirelli MT75's... what's a must do. Runs well now that the carb is cleaned, only 1,300 miles... well 1,400 now, no start run or idle problems. Brakes are excellent. Have a stainless braided front line, but think it'll require a fork brace before then (anyone know of an equivalent for japanese stuff?)as it's already a bit flexy up front. In the process of doing a full service (fluid change, primary and clutch adjust) and would rather have everything in one place when I start. Fabbing up a set of saddle bags using 9 dollar walmart '12 can' fabric coolers and some home made brackets (nice plastic insert should hold shape, and if water can't get out... it probably }won't get in) since the size seems perfect. Going to crank on some miles in a couple of weeks (800-1,200) on a quick trip to Vermont, so let rip with the know how! | ||
| Ezblast |
Get a fork brace and Galfer pads, and ride the piss out of it! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
SuperBrace for a fork brace. Tell them Erik & EZ from Badweb sent you (EZ is responsible for them making Blast fork brace which is really just a very slightly modified Ninja 250 brace). | ||
| Titusand |
How hard do you have to ride it so that the need for a fork brace is noticeable? I've only been riding for 2 seasons, so I don't really quite get this. It steers fine and I don't feel any looseness up front in the commuting I do. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Not that hard if you're in tune with your bike. I could tell the difference between the Crossroads fork brace and the Superbrace just riding down the freeway. But do you really need it? Probably not. The only time you really need it is when you're pushing the bike really hard (or to the limit). That would mean riding aggressively, avoiding an accident and perhaps just at the edge of traction in the rain. Most performance mods are give and take. A really stiff bike handles well at high speed, but you're giving away a lot of day to day riding comfort, for example. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
I think I've run a fork brace on every bike I've owned in the last twenty years, except for the XT (which doesn't seem to need it!). Smoother fork action, less twist when on the brakes, fewer fork seal changes. I guess the smooth action and lack of twist is what I notice most once a brace is installed. Was out test riding the new bar set-up and hard on the brakes... could feel the pull/twist. Can see that being intensified once the stainless line is installed and the 'mush' removed from the lever. Gone are the days when a center mounted drum only pulled the axle rearwards, thankfully. |
