Richard's ZR750C1 Restoration Project

[Richard]

Thanks mate, very happy with the outcome thus far

[Richard]

And finally the bike is at home Bought it in July 2016 and worked on and off on its restauration ever since. Time sure flies...

The idea is to grab it for a spin in the coming evenings when the weather allows it, too much rain in the last couple of weeks

[Richard]

By now finally the cold period has passed and the wheater is getting better and better, i.e warmer and more dry. So I took the bike for a longer testride around the polder where I live on a 2 hour trip of 120km.

The tulips are blooming in large fields and I couln't resist to take a picture

The good news is the trip went just fine with no major issues appart from me missing gears while up-shifting with my new boots
There are no signs of any leakage nor exsessive use of oil. I am looking forward to take it for a spin more often this year and perhaps plan a longer ride with my son through Germany whenever we both can find the time...

[Richard]

Got my covid booster yesterday and like with the previous ones I'm not feeling that well now...
So I started cleaning up my room in the attick and found this one to my suprise, competely forgot about its existence

So I will mount it in the coming week, am very curiuos about the result, but it's bought on Freddies recommendation so I expect great results

[ZoneAdmin]

Hi Richard, I would be very interested in you feedback on the effectiveness of this.

[Freddy]

So I will mount it in the coming week, am very curiuos about the result, but it's bought on Freddies recommendation so I expect great results

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Measure the front fork 'stiction' before fitting the fork brace, and then again after. The biggest possible pitfall is introducing additional friction into the front forks because the brace isn't fitted perfectly aligned, causing the forks to kink ever so slightly. Even the slightest kink will cause addition friction, which will be felt as a harsher ride.

If the 'stiction' measure is essentially identical pre and post fitting the brace, as well as being minimal (say 5mm) then you can be confident you haven't introduced any twist. Another way to check is to fit the two fork clamps, and before tightening up the connecting brace, check the connecting brace sits simultaneously dead flat on all four attachment points. There should be no 'wobble' (I'm mean like a 4 legged chair sitting on an uneven surface) of the plate, none, zero. Adjust the fork attachment clamps till it does sit DEAD flat.

How to measure 'stiction' you may ask ...... https://racetech.com/articles/SuspensionAndSprings.htm

[Freddy]

If you want to get a feel for just how much twist a fork brace takes out of a conventional suspension. Stand in front of the bike supporting it upright by the bars, with the front wheel locked solid between your knees. Push the bars back and forth trying to prevent ANY movement of the front wheel with your legs. Observe just how much back/forth movement of the bars you can get. That reflects how much the front wheel is able to float around/change direction without you moving the bars. That's what is happening when you are cornering, hit a grooved road, pass over road humps/dips.

Repeat the exercise after fitting the fork brace and note the reduction in flex. On the road the difference in feel should be immediately noticeable, and significant.

[Richard]

If you want to get a feel for just how much twist a fork brace takes out of a conventional suspension. Stand in front of the bike supporting it upright by the bars, with the front wheel locked solid between your knees. Push the bars back and forth trying to prevent ANY movement of the front wheel with your legs. Observe just how much back/forth movement of the bars you can get. That reflects how much the front wheel is able to float around/change direction without you moving the bars. That's what is happening when you are cornering, hit a grooved road, pass over road humps/dips.

Repeat the exercise after fitting the fork brace and note the reduction in flex. On the road the difference in feel should be immediately noticeable, and significant.

Yes Freddy I've done this test last year and noticed quite some flex which is why I ordered the brace. I will follow you're exact advise making sure I'm not introducing any twist and will first do the exercise before installing the brace and do the same test afterwards, will try to record it on video if I can manage to do that. Will try to do the same with the stiction test before and after just in case...