F.Y.I.: 350 Front Fork Tube Wall Thickness

[davis]

The 350's fork tube wall thickness surprised me - .204 in.

[moonpup]

YIKES!!!!!   

[slawsonb]

Manly, to say the least!
...bert
Edit: thinking about this some more...this thickness seems like overkill. I can't imagine a stress or loading scenario that would have necessitated such a robust design. Would be interested in thoughts...

[paul]

I wonder how that compares to its contempories

[BS Mechanic]

At first glance it probably was done to improve stiffness, not for strength.

[davis]

This cut came from one of two bent fork tubes in my possession. I hate to see what happened to the rider. Given that the handling of the 350 received high marks, I like the stiffness suggestion.

[srpackrat49]

Tank slappers !!!!!   first that    then watt ever happens next    some times ya save it... some times ya don,t... i,m old school... when and if we bent the front end.... we took it apart... put the tubs in the press... make them straight  again,,,, put the bike back togeather,,, and go for it again..... we don,t need no sticken new parts

[graeme]

Overkill maybe, but I've just dismantled the front forks on a 350 that had the top frame tube noticeably bent and the front wheel and mudguard (fender) destroyed, to my amazement I couldn't measure any bend in the stanchions.