a10 forks twisting

[EDDIE SIMPSON]

i have uprated my front brake which now stops really well but the yokes dont seem to handle the forces and slowly twist over time.
anyone experience similar and find a solution?

[chaz]

maybe fit an arched brace under the mudguard to help.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Eddie,

What brake have you fitted?   I have heard of single discs causing a bike to pull to one side during heavy braking.  If this is actually possible I do not know but if true could cause a twisting motion.  Other wise are the pinch bolts doing their job properly?

Dave.

[cornishbob]

cant really speak about bsa specifically but have reasonably good experience of older harley sportsters;

the brakes on the older sportys are notoriously useless so an upgrade is almost obligatory.

if you look on fleabay you will have no trouble finding fork braces for them.

what brake was on there prior to upgrade and did it show any signs of problems?
what is the upgrade?

as above, does it feel like its pulling to one side?

the fork setup on my a65 flexes without braking . put it in one of those wheel clamp things you get on hydraulic benches then twggle the handle bars...i rest my case

under 'normal' riding its probably all fine as is the braking
are you doing hard full on riding and using the brakes accordingly? you must need an upgrade.

if it was me. i'd check the forks are true. then check the bolts.
go for a ride and do some real braking to see if it tries to pull to oe side. look at the disc (if you have a disc) or the inside of the brake drum (if you have a drum) to see if theres any 'wear' points. if there arent any then thats a reasonable sign the brake is staying true under braking. if there is go for a brace (simple to make and unobtrusive)

i personally would go straight to a fork brace. easy to install and easy to remove but i would leave it on even if it didnt cure the flex. its going to help with handling in any case

[idie]

Is the threaded sleeve on the top yoke clamped tight,otherwise it will turn and allow the forks to twist.

[EDDIE SIMPSON]

all good suggestions which i will try. i do think the standard yoke clamp arrangement is not up to the job so making a brace seems the way to go.i wonder if the top yoke using a taper system is the main culprit.
i upgraded my 8" std f,w,h, brake by reversing the brake arm and making a bracket for the brake stop in another position. as per bsa racers and it works really well.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Interesting mod. Can you post a photo?

Dave.

[cornishbob]

why was the upgrage needed.

old sportys have a taper at the top of the fork. i can tell you that, on sportsters anyway, the taper does not come into play in the fork flexing. the forces involved are down nearer the brake. the mudguard is like it came straight off a sherman tank. that keeps it in check until you go and change something.  people would put+2" forks on or a fancy 'fender' made from chinese transparent metal or some pads made from gawd knows what. hence the plethora of braces and tweek bars around.

course it could still be something out of killick, checked the relevant bearings?