Strapped front end

[richwrench]

What does it mean when you guys say you have the front end "strapped" ? I've seen the term mentioned several times, but I can't find a thread describing it. I'm assuming it's a racing thing, maybe pulling the front suspention down & strapping it in place to limit movement. But how does that help performance ? Just curi-***...:ummm:

 

[Robbarrie]

yes , I agree

Lets see some pics

I might try it, I'd like to see how it would feel with the front end lowered like that.

 

[hubeerjw]

I don't have any pictures, but it is basically taking a tie-down strap and connecting it to the brake calipers (or some other attachment point) and then it goes up around the frame and back down to the other side of the fork. You compress the forks by tightening the strap and this takes away any lift that could be left in the forks when launching the bike. This also lowers the CG a little which helps to stop wheelies (or make it a little harder anyway). If you can keep the front tire down, you can accelerate harder... here is a little info on it.

http://motoaus.com/race/drag-racing/nine-second-street-bike.html

 

[richwrench]

Great link - thanks

 

[one2dmax]

Here's a picture of me in action last year. You can clearly see the strap in the pic.

Sean

 

[maleko89]

Sean, that looks fake. I can barely see the wire holding your front end up.

:biglaugh:

 

[one2dmax]

LOL, yea, I've got the camera man trained well. I think I have the whole series of that run's pics. For the first four frames you can see I'm off the ground. Probably out to the 100' mark. Also had the busa to at least that far.

Sean Morley

 

[shawn kloker]

Can you see the red straps?

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Bought some straps today on the way home, hope to try them out in the next few weeks....They bolt on to the uppper caliper bolt pretty easily.....


Should they be installed the way Shawn's pic clearly shows or brought around the front of the forks the way I think Sean's pic shows?

Sean? are your straps going around and behind the top of the neck or just around one of the trees? Don't wanna screw this up, never done it before.....

Rusty

 

[one2dmax]

It is bolted to the top caliper bolt then passed over the lower tripple and back to the top bolt on the other side. I had to get a longer bolt and a spacer to put behind the braket so the tab would clear the fork leg.

Sean

 

[Rusty McNeil]

It is bolted to the top caliper bolt then passed over the lower tripple and back to the top bolt on the other side. I had to get a longer bolt and a spacer to put behind the braket so the tab would clear the fork leg.

Sean

So it doesn't have an attachment to both calipers?

Hadn't thought of doing it that way.....

And I looked at that caliper bolt thing last night, I'm either gonna do what you did or "clearance" the extra meat on the fork leg around that caliper bolt to allow the tab to point up instead of back.

Thanks,

Rusty

 

[lankeeyankee]

So it doesn't have an attachment to both calipers?

Hadn't thought of doing it that way.....

And I looked at that caliper bolt thing last night, I'm either gonna do what you did or "clearance" the extra meat on the fork leg around that caliper bolt to allow the tab to point up instead of back.

Thanks,

Rusty

Hey rusty
Here is a pic if it helps you out any. I have had this set up for the past 4 yrs

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Thank you!

Rusty

 

[shawn kloker]

I've seen straps that frayed wrapping them around **** .The way I run mine I trust it that it will not let go.I also release mine between rounds so the bike will sit on the side stand better.With 11.5" struts and strapped the bike is stupid low.

 

[lankeeyankee]

I've seen straps that frayed wrapping them around **** .The way I run mine I trust it that it will not let go.I also release mine between rounds so the bike will sit on the side stand better.With 11.5" struts and strapped the bike is stupid low.

I guess straps could fray if you buy some cheap *** ones at Walmart as I stated "I have had this set up for the past 4 yrs" I also have about 12,000 miles of riding with the same strap.
Whatever works for you.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

And I looked at that caliper bolt thing last night, I'm either gonna do what you did or "clearance" the extra meat on the fork leg around that caliper bolt to allow the tab to point up instead of back.

Thanks,

Rusty

I took a small "baby" grinder and removed enough aluminum from the fork to let the tab lay flat and point up instead of at the wrong angle.

Came out fairly clean and inconspicous.
I'll post a pic later.

Rusty

 

[shawn kloker]

Hey rusty
Here is a pic if it helps you out any. I have had this set up for the past 4 yrs

Lankeee this looks like a regular ratchet strap.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Lankeee this looks like a regular ratchet strap.

I was wondering the same thing?

Is it bolted to something I can't see?

It looks like it's might be hooked to something behind the caliper?


I rode mine to the strip with the strap on it loosely and couldn't stand it, but if it works for Lankey that's cool....

Rusty

 

[one2dmax]

I route mine up and over the lower triple and to the other caliper.

 

[lankeeyankee]

Lankeee this looks like a regular ratchet strap.

Sorry, no ratchet strap here. Its a tie strap purchased from a jet ski store. They are stronger than regular Wally World China Ching Chang Made straps.
The reason is, Jet Skis are heavier and also the straps are made to get wet and dry out.

I cut one of the hooks off, routed the strap through the caliper bracket and looped around the lower part of the triple tree and came back with the open end and hooked to the hook on the tie strap.

Yes its a harsh ride if you hit bumps, pot holes. Thankfully here in TN 90% of the roads are in great conditon. I do like that the bike is much more stable at higher speeds since its lower in the front and no fork movement.

If I used my VMAX for an everyday cruieser most likely I wouldnt keep it strapped.