K75 Fork Brace - Remove Yes/No?

[stuman]

Hi,

I am currently modding a K75 RT from 1991 and I am using this site quite a bit at the moment and getting loads of useful info back from it's members.

Here is another question.  I am looking at fitting a new front mud guard rather than modding the stock guard.  I like the one pictured (attached).  They have told me that to fit it I have to remove the fork brace.

Has anyone done this?  Is it a good idea?  I don't think this guard is as sturdy as the brace or is that an obvious thing to say!!

Thanks
Stu

[TimTyler]

If stability and control are more important to you than looks, keep the fork brace.

[stuman]

Yeah I guess, I haven't taken mine off at all yet not even to see what happens so not sure if they will swim around too much.  Maybe there is a slightly more low profile steel brace I could us under the new guard??

[Laitch]

Maybe there is a slightly more low profile steel brace I could us under the new guard??

Go to the Projects section then type "fork brace" in the search box to see what's in there, stuman.

[Chaos]

1st year K100's (1984-85) didn't have any fork brace, so it may be doable but certainly not ideal.  Never heard of deleting a fork brace, except maybe if you delete the front brake, extend the forks and rake them out 5', add some apehangers and LOTS of chrome.  And and don't forget the guardian bell.

[stuman]

Thanks Guy's,  I'll keep researching this.

[Inge K.]

1st year K100's (1984-85) didn't have any fork brace, so it may be doable but certainly not ideal.

Non of the 2V K100's have a fork brace, exept the special edition RS models.
SE models have the same "sport" fork as the 75's.....but the reason for the brace
is that it's different internals, std. fork have even damping in both legs, "sport" fork haven't.

On the other hand the later Showa fork have even damping, but the brace is kept in place.

[jjs1234]

Just to be clear, what your talking about is one of the triple-tree braces... correct?

The first one is where the handlebars connect to, the second is 8-12 or so inches below...

?

[stuman]

jjs1234 - No!  They are not fork braces.  The fork brace is what the mudguard screws together through down by the wheel.

[jjs1234]

hmm, then I dont think I have one either.


Thanks

[mw074]

There was an aftermarket fork brace that was made for K100s by Teleflex. This would allow you to run a non-stock front fender.

[mw074]

Sorry, it is Telefix, and is still available.

[Laitch]

Just to be clear, what your talking about is one of the triple-tree braces... correct?
The first one is where the handlebars connect to, the second is 8-12 or so inches below...

Yours is an understandable conclusion, jjs, because what BMW labels as a "fork brace" or "fork bridge" in their K75RT parts fiche drawing titles, many of us call a triple tree. The part being discussed here as a "fork brace" is labeled as a "stabilizer" in the front suspension diagrams of a fork slider in the fiche.