Superbrace

[Cormanus]

Forum sponsor Superbrace ran a competition recently with the prize being one of their fork braces for the CB1100. I won it. Disgruntled members of the forum have claimed all sorts of skulduggery. Not on my part; I can't speak for theirs.

Late last week the shiny Superbrace turned up in the post. This morning I finally had time to fit it. It's always a bit of fun venturing into the Cormanus workshop (so-called) where improvisation is the name of the game and it's never clear that the right tool will be available. In spite of today being no exception, I can say that the Superbrace is easy to install, even for a clutz like me. If it took a little more than the promised 15 minutes, it was because I had to find and watch the teaching video on the forum.

Once on it looks good and like a bit of OEM gear.





I've had a certain anxiety about this moment of truth, because I'm no Freddie Spencer and I've not been sure that I was going to detect any difference once I put the Superbrace on. I haven't had any trouble with the front end and probably would not have bought a fork brace. Anyway, I put on my newly repaired mesh jacket (a welcome bit of gear in the unseasonable spring heat) and went for a quick ride along one of my favourite local roads to try it out.

To my surprise, I can feel a difference. The front of the bike seems different. Firmer, stiffer—I'm not sure what the right word is, but the steering feels more positive to me. Maybe it's my imagination, but some of the right-handers felt a wee bit easier and a couple of bumps didn't seem quite as disconcerting as they have in the past.

Thanks heaps to the guys at Superbrace for the great prize and for the obvious work that's gone into this product. I'll certainly be leaving it on the CB and hope to travel many happy kilometres with it.

[the Ferret]

Good looking piece of equipment. Looking forward to a long term report. I had one on a 750 Nighthawk and it took out a small shimmy I had in the front end. I was happy with what it provided.

Congrats again Cormanus and thanks again to forum sponsor Superbrace!

[Rick Froscheiser_imp]

Looks real good. Congrats and thanks for sharing the pictures and report. Looking forward to update after you have more riding time. Thanks to SuperBrace!

[The Spaceman_imp]

Note: it's always a good idea to use anti-seize when threading dissimilar metals together (in this case steel bolts into aluminium). It's cheap in the quantities we're likely to use:

[url=https://www.emisupply.com/catalog/loctite-37533-copper-antiseize-lubricant-tube-p-8270.html?utm_source=googprod&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=google-product-search-us-en&utm_term=LOC-37533&gclid=CjwKEAiAy8ujBRCY6c-hveijhFASJAAcyGicgw4ERm9upbvVXJln0c8c50g151Qx3Ujq5q7iA78QzBoCqXvw_wcB#.VHMx_4vF_​54]https://www.emisupply.com/catalog/loctit...HMx_4vF_54

Note: when you use anti-seize, you should reduce the torque from the specification by 10-20%. Fer'instance, an axle you'd torque to 80 ft/lbs without the product would torque to 65-70 ft/lbs with the product. The reason is the product lubricates the threads, which make them more efficient, and thus you get the same effect at the lower torque.

[Cormanus]

Thanks for that, Spaceman. I shall go a hunting.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Very cool - congrats on the win!
Oddly, this is the very first accessory I bought for mine, and it's the only item still sitting in the garage, never installed. Not sure why, I just haven't gotten around to doing anything with it.

[1100rider_imp]

I installed one on mine. I got one of the first ones produced. I am sure it makes a difference in the handling. At least I am convinced it does.

[Cormanus]

I've had a chance of a couple more decent rides with the SuperBrace. Like 1100rider, I'm convinced in makes a difference. I felt the bike felt slightly more solid at speed and the handling seems improved to me.

[rboe]

Guess you should take it off and see how it feels.

[Cormanus]

Yeah, Rboe. When I lay hands on some of the gear Spaceman suggested. I'll take it off. I'll take it for a ride without while I'm at it.