Fork brace?

Hey guys, I removed my front fender, but it has that fork brace built (riveted) into it. Is this brace necessary? Instead of grinding off the rivets and using the one built into the stock fender, do i have any other options?

If i cut the fender down to keep the brace, have you guys used any sort of templates or anything? Or did you just go to town with the cut-off wheel?

thanks!

-kz440 B2

Front fender adds a lot of ridgity(spell check! :woohoo: )to front end.

Not only does the front fender reduce fork flex, it keeps gallons of road slop from being thrown on the rest of the bike and the rider; especially when the roads are wet. Ed

points noted. now on to cutting it down...i'm worried (shaking in my boots) that i'll screw it up haha. Did you guys just eyeball it? I'm thinking +3 or 4 inches on either side of the brace to keep and cut the rest.

As long as you don't cut into the actual brace part of the fender I wouldn't think any structural damage will be done. The only screw up would be visual

If you could make a pattern of the radius on the front of fender then transfer it to a point just ahead of where you want to cut it it might look pretty cool,do same on back side.

It might be hard to tell from picture but thats a stock kz1000 front fender that dear ol dad cut down and replated on ol red.

And of course heres the same fender the year before when it was still stock length.
Just to give you an idea anyway

yea cosmetics is all i'm worried about.

thats a good idea wireman, to trace out the bend, then just sharpie it on the chrome.

Another thing that stinks is the fender is in perfect condition. The chrome is perfect, hate to cut it up. But, if there is one thing that i have no attachment to, it's chrome. The finished product is getting blacked out anyway.

If it's in great shape you should sell it on eBay and buy a different one in rougher shape. You will come out ahead on the deal; like it or not - chrome is expensive! Ed

I bought a Fork Brace from Fast From The Past, using it with the chrome front fender and love it. It really stiffened up the front. Big difference especially on gravel and uneven pavement.
pmiusa.net/FFTP/fork%20brace%20dimensions.pdf
I'm using the 23-0036.

thanks guys. i think i'll just cut one down. It won't be for a little while yet, i just moved and my angle grinder is in the mail haha.

i'll update with pics when finished