rockmeupto125 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 As I was changing plugs on an XX for the way too manyth time in my life, I pondered, did I. There's a brace above the valve cover of the XX running crosswise between the frame spars. Its in the way of everything. I wonder what it contributes to the chassis? The steering neck and frame spars are massive. The brace mounts at a bend of those spars and creates a triangulation. Does that really stiffen the frame that much? The engine's a stressed member, so movement in that area would already be minimized. I just find it difficult to imagine a significant degree of chassis rigidity or strength this brace provides beyond the already huge and slablike box section perimeter coupled with that lump of motor. There are those of you who have modified the frames for a more specific focus. Stan and a few others have quads with heavily modified front ends. Zentime has done extensive revision for his HPS. Elixxir and others have built dragstrip only versions. And there are those of you I'm sure have both a hacksaw and way too much time on your hands. A search around the net reveals claims from several different sources that removing the brace does not effect the performance of the vehicle in dragracing applications. Nowhere was there reference to street or road course use, and the remarks were anecdotal and certainly not part of a discussion on chassis engineering. So my questions are: 1.Has anyone removed this brace and able to offer a studied impression of the result? 2.Can anyone here with a comprehension of the physics of chassis dynamics and engineering comment on the relative worth of this crossbrace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 The only reason that brace is only there so you'll have something to zip tie the cam chain to when you adjust the valves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 D'oh! :icon_doh: Never thought of that. Those little guys in Japan are sure smartsters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 D'oh! :icon_doh: Never thought of that. Those little guys in Japan are sure smartsters! Exactly. That's why you should leave it alone. IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warp11XX Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm betting by simple layman inspection that it does provide torsional resistance and rigidity to the steering head. The XX is a heavy sled after all. A whole LOT of side torque load on that head in a corner. But I dunno shizzle....just like I'm reminded by my wife and daughters frequently... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Tim is WAY off...that brace isn't really a brace...it's sole purpose is to wrap your spare tool straps around. When they break...you just need to reach down and grab a new one off the brace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrxxquad Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Thought about that very brace, and deduced that is was necessary, where it is, due to flexing of the spars above the engine mounting points leading to side ways loads to the forks. It boxes those points, on a angle, and without, would lead to a moving point between the tire contact patch, and the load, or CG. Triangulation would have been stiffer, but some is the same as suspension, in a direction there is none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrbear Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 that very brace was one of the differences between the old GSXR 600 and 1000. I would imagine due to motor power and torque of the frame without it you could cause some serious/fatal damage to the frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warp11XX Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 That's what I was told by Brock Davidson, IIRC. He said it was for stability in hard cornering when there are bumps; the bar prevents twist on the steering head. Dunno who Brock is, but it's nice to know I'm at least smarter than the closest doorknob... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 You could find a way to make it removeable! Cut it out, weld in a rigid aluminum bracket with solid bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALCXX Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 Put the Sawzall on the ground. Step back keeping your hands visable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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