Speedo Drive For 18" Front Wheel

[Wagner73]

Thank you Wagner for the update. It will be interesting to see how the UK one fits.

Thanks. The UK brace is a different type i.e. fits over the top of the fork sliders and then provides its own groove for the dust cover(s) to fit into. This places the cross brace higher and so I am hopeful it will clear the fender as well (the seller says it does)...fits similar to the ATK braces that some people have. The downside is that it's kind of spendy.

 

[jetmechmarty]

kind of spendy.

I assume you speak of the Fastec brace? Now there will be a tariff applied at the U.S. end making it even more spendy.

Cruzin Image (Japan) has stopped shipping to the U.S. from his website. To buy from him you have to use eBay. eBay adds the tariff up front so it doesn’t come as a surprise.

 

[Wagner73]

I assume you speak of the Fastec brace? Now there will be a tariff applied at the U.S. end making it even more spendy.

Yes...the British Fork Brace Co (part of Fastec). I decided it was a good experiment to see how their brace actually fit. I'm sure it clamps onto the fork sliders fine (and does have it's own machined grooves to retain dust covers), but was more concerned about it fitting with the stock fender...they claim it does, so fingers crossed.

All that said, it is expensive (although I might be getting the "experimental' price). Started at $181 without tariffs, fees, etc and benefited from the de minimis threshold. Now it will cost me $425 all-in including tariffs, shipping and so on paid thru eBay upfront.

I would hope that ongoing it would not be a $245 (135%) premium, cuz that's crazy even in today's environment.

 

[jetmechmarty]

This is a TKat brace on my Eleven Special. The Fastec brace is going to mount up and function exactly the same way.

Unfortunately, TKat retired a few years ago.

 

[jetmechmarty]

That brace becomes necessary after RaceTech modifications to the forks. I set it up for sporty riding on challenging roads. It works great.

 

[Wagner73]

View attachment 365589View attachment 365590

This is a TKat brace on my Eleven Special. The Fastec brace is going to mount up and function exactly the same way.

Unfortunately, TKat retired a few years ago.

A question for you about this fitment (and the same question would apply to the ATK brace that @5twins has used with good success).

Stock 78E fork travel is ~147 mm and that is coincidentally the approx distance between the top of the dust cover and the bottom of the cover over the lower triple clamp...so this allows full travel.

But, it appears to me that any of these clamp-on brace's brackets necessarily raise the dust cover anywhere from 15-25 mm, which would not allow full travel, unless, near the limit, it just collapses the dust cover (at least partially).

Coming back to the photo(s) of your Eleven, it looks like the free fork tube clearance is significantly more than a 650 (maybe being a Special helps too). Any thoughts about this?

 

[jetmechmarty]

Coming back to the photo(s) of your Eleven, it looks like the free fork tube clearance is significantly more than a 650 (maybe being a Special helps too). Any thoughts about this?

The Eleven Special has a leading axle and the fender sits proud. It’s a Showa fork assembly. TKat made a brace for that particular bike to clear the fender. The standard XS1100 standard model has a KYB fork like the XS650 and the fork brace is not as tall. My fork brace does not restrict travel. I have never heard or read a complaint that any of them do. There were several braces made in this stile, including Torozzi.

The difference between an XS1100 and an XS1100 Special is far more than in the XS650 family.

 

[Wagner73]

The Eleven Special has a leading axle and the fender sits proud. It’s a Showa fork assembly. TKat made a brace for that particular bike to clear the fender. The standard XS1100 standard model has a KYB fork like the XS650 and the fork brace is not as tall. My fork brace does not restrict travel. I have never heard or read a complaint that any of them do. There were several braces made in this stile, including Torozzi.

The difference between an XS1100 and an XS1100 Special is far more than in the XS650 family.

Yes, thanks, I knew the forks were different; once upon a time, long ago I owned an Eleven Midnight Special. And so I didn't anticipate that travel was a problem in your case; just wanted your good input.

But I still can't get past the basic math...that the unloaded distance between the top of the boot and the bottom of the triple clamp cover closely approximates the rated travel on a stock 650. And that any of these clamp-on designs that provide an elevated boss for the dust cover, necessarily reduces that distance and would create an opportunity for the dust cover to interfere with the triple clamp if the fork ever comes close to bottoming... can't really believe it never does?

BFBC brace just received. Not fitted yet but testing clearance. This brace's bracket raises the dust cover ~25 mm.

Perhaps @5twins and @gggGary (or others with this clamp-on style brace) could provide input from their experience with this type of brace? And/or maybe there are shorter/taller dust boots...mine are new (supposed) Yamaha parts from Partzilla.

 

[jetmechmarty]

Yes, thanks, I knew the forks were different; once upon a time, long ago I owned an Eleven Midnight Special. And so I didn't anticipate that travel was a problem in your case; just wanted your good input.

But I still can't get past the basic math...that the unloaded distance between the top of the boot and the bottom of the triple clamp cover closely approximates the rated travel on a stock 650. And that any of these clamp-on designs that provide an elevated boss for the dust cover, necessarily reduces that distance and would create an opportunity for the dust cover to interfere with the triple clamp if the fork ever comes close to bottoming... can't really believe it never does?

BFBC brace just received. Not fitted yet but testing clearance. This brace's bracket raises the dust cover ~25 mm.

View attachment 366462

Perhaps @5twins and @gggGary (or others with this clamp-on style brace) could provide input from their experience with this type of brace? And/or maybe there are shorter/taller dust boots...mine are new (supposed) Yamaha parts from Partzilla.

Remove the spring. Push the outer fork tube all the way up. Does the boot hit the lower clamp? I don’t believe it will, even with the boot elevated, but I wouldn’t mind having proof.

 

[Wagner73]

Ha ha! Yeah, I'd like proof too, but this bike's almost completely back together (and the front end is completely done except for, perhaps, bolting on the brace), so nope. Maybe at some point in the future.

That said, unless my mechanical measurement tools are faulty (they're not), the only discrepancy in the math could be the published fork travel spec of 147 mm. If it were, say, only 120-125 mm instead, then we're all good.

For another day, or maybe someone else on here has some data? Cheers.

 

[jetmechmarty]

I have a few fork assemblies. I’ll report back when able.

 

[5twins]

To avoid the possible interference issue with the dust covers, I simply eliminated them and installed fork gaiters instead ......

I was first introduced to fork gaiters on my '70's /5 and /6 BMWs. I really liked the "old school" look but liked the better fork tube and seal protection even more .......

So, I've added them to all my other bikes. I use the DayStar brand truck shock boots because they're reasonably priced (cheaper than motorcycle specific ones) and last darn near forever. The black set on my '78 has been on there for a good 20 years and are still in good shape .......

The tops and bottoms are a perfect fit on the 650 fork lowers and tubes, and the tapered design makes the boots very easy to shorten. Cut the nice fitting top and first (smallest) bellow off the top of the boot, then remove however many bellows are needed to make the boot fit (normally 4 to 6). Then, simply insert that top piece with it's smaller bellow into the larger diameter bellow on the shortened boot. It's a perfect friction fit, no glue or anything required ......

These fit so well that clamps are not even needed, but I do add them to the bottoms for "looks" mainly. Here's the set on my '83, before I added the fork brace. They were shortened to 8 bellows .......

Once the fork brace was added, it required I cut another bellow off, leaving me with 7.

 

[Wagner73]

To avoid the possible interference issue with the dust covers, I simply eliminated them and installed fork gaiters instead ......

View attachment 366478

View attachment 366480

I was first introduced to fork gaiters on my '70's /5 and /6 BMWs. I really liked the "old school" look but liked the better fork tube and seal protection even more .......

View attachment 366481

View attachment 366482

So, I've added them to all my other bikes. I use the DayStar brand truck shock boots because they're reasonably priced (cheaper than motorcycle specific ones) and last darn near forever. The black set on my '78 has been on there for a good 20 years and are still in good shape .......

View attachment 366486

View attachment 366487

The tops and bottoms are a perfect fit on the 650 fork lowers and tubes, and the tapered design makes the boots very easy to shorten. Cut the nice fitting top and first (smallest) bellow off the top of the boot, then remove however many bellows are needed to make the boot fit (normally 4 to 6). Then, simply insert that top piece with it's smaller bellow into the larger diameter bellow on the shortened boot. It's a perfect friction fit, no glue or anything required ......

View attachment 366490

View attachment 366491

These fit so well that clamps are not even needed, but I do add them to the bottoms for "looks" mainly. Here's the set on my '83, before I added the fork brace. They were shortened to 8 bellows .......

View attachment 366492

Once the fork brace was added, it required I cut another bellow off, leaving me with 7.

Thanks for the great input as always! And a clever way to adapt the truck shock boots.

I think the gaiters are certainly a great idea for keeping the crud away from the fork seals (and in this case also eliminate the possible fork travel concern). That said, you have to like the look. I won't say I don't like the look - that's not the case - I just prefer the cleaner look of the dust covers.

My first bike, a '70 T100C had gaiters; then two bikes without ('72 Bonneville & an XS-2). Decided I liked that look better and tried mightily to rid my CB750 K6 of it's gaiters, never looking back after that!

 

[gggGary]

Never banged these dust covers, I think there is a small mark on the brace from the brake splitter. 18" wheel, the fender is dropped about 3/4"



It was wearing a 19" here.

I think the boots had rotted apart.

 

[Wagner73]

Never banged these dust covers, I think there is a small mark on the brace from the brake splitter. 18" wheel, the fender is dropped about 3/4"
View attachment 366508

View attachment 366509
It was wearing a 19" here.
View attachment 366511
I think the boots had rotted apart.

Great info, thank you! If the brace hit the splitter it's getting up there pretty close.

But the last photo of the Special front wheel, it looks like there is no way that the brace would not hit the triple clamp?

 

[gggGary]

But the last photo of the Special front wheel, it looks like there is no way that the brace would not hit the triple clamp?

Same bike (Madness) Only thing changed was the wheel, and fender was lowered, brace, forks stayed the same.
I've put dunno 20K miles on this. I saw the mark on the brace but never noticed when it happened.
Looks like it hit a brake line fitting, wasn't much of a mark. I think that chrome fender also had a couple dents but those were probably from that oil cooler (the now lower) fender has no marks.

 

[Wagner73]

Same bike (Madness) Only thing changed was the wheel, and fender was lowered, brace, forks stayed the same.
I've put dunno 20K miles on this. I saw the mark on the brace but never noticed when it happened.
Looks like it hit a brake line fitting, wasn't much of a mark. I think that chrome fender also had a couple dents but those were probably from that oil cooler (the now lower) fender has no marks.

Thanks again, Gary! No substitute for practical experience and road miles.

While the numbers show that it might be a problem, in the real world, maybe not at all. I think I'll just fit the brace and see...more when it's installed.

 

[gggGary]

Thanks again, Gary! No substitute for practical experience and road miles.

While the numbers show that it might be a problem, in the real world, maybe not at all. I think I'll just fit the brace and see...more when it's installed.

The stock two caliper brake line union has more clearance than this one with stacked banjos. Guess I should make some changes eh? Just rotating that lowest banjo back a bit would prolly stop any interference. But I 'm sure I have a stock union "out there".
Final caveat; these forks are minton modded and prolly have stiffer than stock springs...

 

[Wagner73]

The stock two caliper brake line union has more clearance than this one with stacked banjos. Guess I should make some changes eh? Just rotating that lowest banjo back a bit would prolly stop any interference. But I 'm sure I have a stock union "out there".
Final caveat; these forks are minton modded and prolly have stiffer than stock springs...

^^^^! I'm running a single disc and single braided line, so no junction. Forks also Minton-modded and non-stock springs. The proof's in the pudding!

 

[Miker Vee]

A question for you about this fitment (and the same question would apply to the ATK brace that @5twins has used with good success).

Stock 78E fork travel is ~147 mm and that is coincidentally the approx distance between the top of the dust cover and the bottom of the cover over the lower triple clamp...so this allows full travel.

But, it appears to me that any of these clamp-on brace's brackets necessarily raise the dust cover anywhere from 15-25 mm, which would not allow full travel, unless, near the limit, it just collapses the dust cover (at least partially).

Coming back to the photo(s) of your Eleven, it looks like the free fork tube clearance is significantly more than a 650 (maybe being a Special helps too). Any thoughts about this?

Measured on a XS650SE fork with 25mm lowering spacers, without springs, the travel is approx. 110mm.
So without the lowering spacers, in stock condition, they would have 135mm travel.