The "Tanker Brace" is a brace/guard for XR650R's that are running a Acerbis Sahara Tank. (DRZ/IMS guards are in the works also). After installing a Sahara onto my XRR I found a few problems with the lower braces that are supplied with the tanks. I designed/built the Tanker Brace to solve these problems. After building one for myself a few other people wanted them so I decided to produce some for sale also.

* First I found the Sahara tank will flex inward quite a bit when full, enough that it contacted/rubbed my radiator and KTM fan that I had installed. The Tanker Brace adds a small amount of pre-load (you pull the tank outward a bit to slide the brace in) that keeps the tank from rubbing the radiators/fan setups when full. Check the inside of your Sahara tank, you might find that yours has been rubbing the radiators also.

* I didn't feel that the provided Acerbis lower braces would provide enough protection for the radiators in a crash. The Sahara tank itself adds a good amount of radiator protection since it covers the sides of the radiators, but I've read where the tank can still flex enough to damage the radiators in a crash. The Tanker Brace ties both sides of the tank together and then into the upper motor mount that the Acerbis mounts used. Even if you crash hard enough to bend the Tanker Brace the extra space cushion between the tank and radiators provided by the pre-load of the Tanker Brace should keep the radiators damage free.

* I recently installed Unabiker radiator guards on my XRR. (This was the step that started the Tanker Brace build) After installing the guards I found that the Acerbis lower braces wouldn't fit any more with the Unabikers installed. The Tanker Brace allows the Unabikers to be used with the Sahara tank. (I believe the Sahara/Tanker Brace combo will protect the radiators sufficiently without need for extra radiator braces.)

The Tanker Brace is fully TIG welded and comes powder coated a Flat Black. The powder is TGIC Mini Tex and is outdoor UV stable. They are pre-threaded to accept the factory Acerbis hardware.

Cost: $50 + $10 shipping (Cont USA). PM me for payment details if you are interested in a brace.



Just out of the Jig.




Fresh out of Powder Coating.




Tanker Brace installed on Focker's Piggy.




Here's a shot of the Tanker Brace installed on my XRR. You can see how it attaches into the front engine bolt and both sides of the tank.




Side Shot.




Left Side.





Hodakaguy

Thanks.

Holy crap! Did you fab that and do all of the fitment and everything. Thats awsome. Mad skills!

I gotta say that the build quality is the bomb! I got the first one and it fits like a glove. Only robotic laser cutting could produce something like this...In fact Hodakaguy might be a robot.

He is VERY meticulous regarding every cut, weld, grind and bend...Down to the cardboard thickness of the packaging!

You won't be disappointed...I'm not saying this to help boost his sales (He doesn't need the $) I'm saying this because he's a good guy and his talents deserve recognition.

~Focker

Just finished up a second batch of "tanker braces". I have 7 available as of now.

PM me if you are interested in a brace.

Thanks,

Hodakaguy