On the short, limited ride I took it seemed that going around sweeping wide curves the bike stayed in the groove of the turn with more stability than without. More time and longer rides are needed to fully evaluate.
I was not having any particular problems to begin with. My next move is to replace the original scorcher tires on front and rear as they are 9 years old. They are not showing any wear but they feel hard to the touch.
Do you guys feel that is the right thing to do?

 

Mate 9 yrs is like grandpa age for tires- used or not! The rubber looses its elasticity and becomes crazed or exhibits surface cracking.
you are on the right track- get a set of Avon’s or Pirelli’s if possible. I am also looking to swap tire to gain more traction.

anyway rode my babe on a short ride today and came away grinning as always, I believe that the connect some of us (most on the forum, some part of humans) feel with our bikes is due to the total involvement that biking demands. It grounds you into the now and here !

 

Thanks, although I observe no cracking anywhere on either tire I am going to change them both before riding season is in full bloom. I am in the US. I am thinking of Commander IIIs. Any thoughts on those?

 

Avon Cobra Chrome get good reviews.

 

Being in a place where getting everything is a sort of uphill battle I read the reviews and order after a lot of deliberation. Still this is my opinion and is not backed by actual usage.

the Avon’s get a better review than the commander 3s . I availability is not an issue then this is the consensus rating
grip - Avon/ Pirelli Night dragon/ Me 888/ cruisetec/ michelins
life - Michelin/ Dunlop/ me 888/ Avon / Pirelli

a tyre with more grip is generally lesser lived than a hard compound. I would go for grip not life

ymmv - stay safe

 

Went for a ride. Temps were in the mid 70's when I headed out....mid 80's when I came back. Made the first of many (for any given year) runs up the Needles Highway. Iron Mountain is closed due to a fire so couldn't make my favorite loop. Sunday is supposed to be in the 80's again and maybe Iron Mountain will be open. Good ride.......

 

Not meaning to butt in but, I noticed an immediate difference on the first ride after installing the fork brace. The bike felt twitchy to me, more sensitive to steering inputs. I got used to it after a few miles and realized it was because it had stiffened up the front forks, and the bike was reacting quicker to steering input.

From my experience they are a good investment.

 

The all-leather Le Pera Bare Bones arrived today, so I put it on the 48. It came with a chrome bracket; I swapped it out with a black one that I had on the temporary Bare Bones that was on the bike.

 

thanks mate ! That is exactly the sort of input I need

 

I would of thought the distance from the brace to the axle is quite a distance in the picture above. A good stiff fender ought to do a better job being that much closer.

I might have it wrong but fitting a brace would be because the fender was removed and the brace is then placed as close to the wheel/axle as possible.